As the Chicago Bulls look to the future, they’re not just hoping their young players improve, they’re banking on it. Each one has their own area to focus on, and the assignments aren’t exactly light. That begs the question: Will the rookie wing Metas Buzelis patch the team spot that is said to be the weakest?
Bulls Banking on Buzelis: Will the Rookie Wing Patch the Team’s Weakest Spot?
The Bulls’ Young Core Has Their Work Cut Out
Take Noa Essengue, the 12th overall pick. Just 18 years old, he stepped into the league at 6’10” and 200 pounds, long, athletic, but raw. The plan? Add some serious muscle and bring more physicality to his game so he can hold his own in the paint. Then there’s Josh Giddey; His offensive game has never been in question, but perimeter defense? That’s where the Bulls want to see a shift and this is a make-or-break area for him.
In the meantime, Isaac Okoro (24) and Julian Phillips (21) are in similar boats as they both bring energy and flashes of athleticism. But what is missing is a real off-the-dribble threat. If they can’t start creating more for themselves, then it is going to limit their ceiling. Dalen Terry might not have everything figured out yet, but the guy’s got the tools, plays with real energy, and never cheats the game when it comes to effort. But unless he starts knocking down shots from deep consistently, he might struggle to carve out a lasting role. Shooting is non-negotiable in today’s game.
All Eyes on Buzelis’ Next Step
Let’s be real here: when it comes to this particular Bulls’ squad, Matas Buzelis is the one everyone is watching most closely. And it’s not just because he’s 6’10” with guard-like handles. It’s because Chicago sees him as the guy, even though his rookie season was more about fitting in than standing out. At just 20, Buzelis showed flashes, quick drives, solid spot-up shooting, and opportunistic finishes in transition.
But one thing that was noticeably missing? Playmaking. That’s exactly why the Chicago Bulls took a chance on him, hoping for a big guy who could actually run the offense and create opportunities. What they got, at least early on, was mostly a complementary scorer. Nearly 70% of his two-pointers were assisted, same with most of his threes. In total, around 88% of his shot attempts came either right at the basket or beyond the arc. More than three-fourths of them were assisted. And that’s not the version of Buzelis most fans expected.
Unlocking Buzelis’ Full Potential
Sure, it was only year one, and Buzelis didn’t crack a consistent rotation spot until February. But still, for someone billed as a potential point-forward with elite vision and timing, the lack of on-ball creation was a bit surprising. In addition, his per-36 assist numbers (1.9) were basically identical to Zaccharie Risacher’s (1.8), the No. 1 pick who was seen more as a spot-up 3-and-D guy. That comparison alone hints that Buzelis wasn’t given, or didn’t take, many chances to run the show.
But here’s the thing: the potential is clearly there and the skillset is real. The next challenge is translating it against NBA-level defenses, under the pressure of real games. The Bulls are betting big on Buzelis not just being good, but being special. If he can start initiating more, creating off the bounce, and reading defenses like he’s capable of, this team may have something serious on their hands.
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