Matas Buzelis Thread

[Straight forward]

I don't think Jovic will ever be 20ppg player. I think his best version could resemble a lot on Toni Kukoc. A glue guy, a point forward who can do it all offensively but not necesserailly scoring a bunch of points. Simply, a team player who makes winning plays. Heat are actually playing him as a playmaking guard since all the fuss with Butler.

The problem with talents who come to the league labeled as great scoring potentials is that if they don't pan out as scoring options it's hard for them to become impactful players or better say find their niche in NBA. Sort of situation with Buzelis. However, even if he doesn't pan out as a shooter or prolific ISO scorer, I can see him being an impactful player on defense and athletic finisher on offense. There is a plan B for him in case he doesn't pan out as a star player. I can see why you think Buzelis have higher upside, that could be true, especially since I haven't still watched Buzelis a lot, but Jovic's higher floor may be safer bet, especially in NBA where you have to do something at a high level to be able to play.

Prime Kukoc I think was a bit of a "victim" of playing next MJ and Pippen and had more offense in him than he actually could show in most seasons (thus in 1999 he was nearly averaging 20 and some big seasons with Atlanta), but, yeah, I get your point, and maybe Galo also would be a good comparison (Jovic more of a hustle player though compared to Galo and probably even Kukoc, he hustles and plays with great motor, that's how he compensates the lack of athleticism too, the effort is always there and that's important, and sometimes I feel like Buzelis is playing with only 95% effort and heart and his focus is not entirely there yet, and it's kinda usual for guys who projects themselves as big scorers). Jovic definitely high floor, low risk player for NBA. Buzelis is higher ceiling, higher risk kinda prospect and the lack of floor dropped him to 11th pick instead of top 3.

But I totally agree with you that Buzelis B plan could be defensive presence + athletic slasher/finisher. Kinda, Dunks & D player For Lithuania, we need him to become big scorer, but I surely see him staying in NBA long years even with lesser profile. Strangely enough Buzelis defensively plays with more consistent motor and effort than offensively. But he still has tons of time to figure things out and establish most optimal identity for him.

[Serbian_Layup]

Yup, I agree with most parts. I would just add that Buzelis also not only more athletic, but also smoother, having more of a guard skills compared to Jovic. Buzelis can really resemble Franz, while Jovic is more of a versatile version of Mirotic (I'm coming back to the same comparison). Meaning Buzelis can be more explosive with the ball in his hands and be more dominant ISO player than Jovic. But I think you nailed it saying that Jovic has more fundamentals, like his floor is better established and he's way better shooter, more reliable decision maker and passer (so offensively has more steady fundamentals and can be way better system player, even if he also can operate as secondary creator to a certain extent). Jovic true ceiling is also not entirely defined still. Can he push himself becoming true third option of winning team or just a solid starter? But if I would choose a player with higher star upside I would choose Matas. More explosive, more ISO gifted, better athlete. On FIBA court it's tricky. We already know Jovic is very flexible and adjustable and he will help to win. Buzelis yet only will show how he's flexible. He always repeats that he will do whatever the team needs, but he resembles more of a guy who is either key or just a shadow of himself. Meaning he is much less of a system player than Jovic. I think Buzelis will be best at ISO rather than being all around system player. Lithuania kinda needs that. Both KJ and Buzelis should be expressed leaders. While Jovic can be great complementary player comfortably or switch to higher gear and lead the team. He has that kind of flexibility.

I don't think Jovic will ever be 20ppg player. I think his best version could resemble a lot on Toni Kukoc. A glue guy, a point forward who can do it all offensively but not necesserailly scoring a bunch of points. Simply, a team player who makes winning plays. Heat are actually playing him as a playmaking guard since all the fuss with Butler.

The problem with talents who come to the league labeled as great scoring potentials is that if they don't pan out as scoring options it's hard for them to become impactful players or better say find their niche in NBA. Sort of situation with Buzelis. However, even if he doesn't pan out as a shooter or prolific ISO scorer, I can see him being an impactful player on defense and athletic finisher on offense. There is a plan B for him in case he doesn't pan out as a star player. I can see why you think Buzelis have higher upside, that could be true, especially since I haven't still watched Buzelis a lot, but Jovic's higher floor may be safer bet, especially in NBA where you have to do something at a high level to be able to play.

[Straight forward]

Buzelis is rather similar case as Jovic. They both came to the league as talented but very raw prospects. Buzelis is also going to need a few more years before it's clear what he can offer at the highest level. The difference is that Buzelis is more athletic and probably has higher upside on defense, while Jovic has better fundamentals. Both have similar built and will have to get stronger. Their paths are comparable, even though they have different skill sets. Jovic was also a bit lucky to get drafted by the Heat which is very strict and good developmental organization. Buzelis has NBA tools and will have to profile himself in areas that he does well, while working on outside shot. Not a winning type of player right now, but could become that with more seasoning.

Yup, I agree with most parts. I would just add that Buzelis also not only more athletic, but also smoother, having more of a guard skills compared to Jovic. Buzelis can really resemble Franz, while Jovic is more of a versatile version of Mirotic (I'm coming back to the same comparison). Meaning Buzelis can be more explosive with the ball in his hands and be more dominant ISO player than Jovic. But I think you nailed it saying that Jovic has more fundamentals, like his floor is better established and he's way better shooter, more reliable decision maker and passer (so offensively has more steady fundamentals and can be way better system player, even if he also can operate as secondary creator to a certain extent). Jovic true ceiling is also not entirely defined still. Can he push himself becoming true third option of winning team or just a solid starter? But if I would choose a player with higher star upside I would choose Matas. More explosive, more ISO gifted, better athlete. On FIBA court it's tricky. We already know Jovic is very flexible and adjustable and he will help to win. Buzelis yet only will show how he's flexible. He always repeats that he will do whatever the team needs, but he resembles more of a guy who is either key or just a shadow of himself. Meaning he is much less of a system player than Jovic. I think Buzelis will be best at ISO rather than being all around system player. Lithuania kinda needs that. Both KJ and Buzelis should be expressed leaders. While Jovic can be great complementary player comfortably or switch to higher gear and lead the team. He has that kind of flexibility.

[Shawshank]

nba world drafting top 50 tallents every year they can find. They all 50 players have huge tallents

Now they start playing in nba and we will see who will survive that nba cruel competion and who wont.


Best nba rookies who makes first and 2nd all rookie teams have way better history of having long nba careers than rookies who didnt. Way better chances

Check all nba rookies teams most best europeans future fiba stars made 1st or 2nd all rookies teams . Including slow starters like Jokic or Giannis



This draft is weak and its unclear will it have even 2 all stars overall one day.

Being like 20-25th in scoring in weak tallent draft nothing to be fascinated at all

[Serbian_Layup]

Buzelis is rather similar case as Jovic. They both came to the league as talented but very raw prospects. Buzelis is also going to need a few more years before it's clear what he can offer at the highest level. The difference is that Buzelis is more athletic and probably has higher upside on defense, while Jovic has better fundamentals. Both have similar built and will have to get stronger. Their paths are comparable, even though they have different skill sets. Jovic was also a bit lucky to get drafted by the Heat which is very strict and good developmental organization. Buzelis has NBA tools and will have to profile himself in areas that he does well, while working on outside shot. Not a winning type of player right now, but could become that with more seasoning.

[Straight forward]

i trust advance stats i see here :

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2024.html

and they are not big fans of Buzelis

There's a rank of players how they where drafted.

To me it's important to actually see how he looks on the court. The promise is amazing. Flashes are amazing. His +/- one of the best, he's blocking shots and his 33.3% from the line (f.e Franz was shooting 28% last season and 32% this season). When Buzelis is playing just 13mpg with little touches it's all about eye test and glimpses, nothing else. Don't ask 15ppg from a guy who plays 13mpg and takes only 4,5 shots. Only after 2026/2027 we will be able to make conclusions, serious conclusions. Rookies need 2-3 years to show who their are.

[Shawshank]

i trust advance stats i see here :

https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2024.html

and they are not big fans of Buzelis. Where all rookies stats are put together on same page and its easy to compare

[Straight forward]

I dont trust twitter and what any random people can writte there. .I trust basketball reference site numbers


Im checking on basketball reference where all 60 rookies is put and there a stats called BMP

and Buzelis there is ranked 34th with -5.3 of all rookies


Other advance stats there is also dont like Buzelis compared to other rookies

Watch NBA.com LOL They won't lie to you Buzelis +/- is 0,9 and that's third best in Bulls.

https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1641824

[Straight forward]

Let time pass to draw conclusion guys. He is talented. I would have said if not

If he comes to play for the LTU NT great. I cant think of a better forward for now. To have and NBA forward is always great, no matter he is a top 2 player or not.

Too soon for definite conclusions or particular conclusions, but my projection is clear and it will stand solid - he's gonna be very good player.

His +/- is third best in Bulls team and he's a best shot blocker. And yet he's not even showing anything yet basically, hardly scratching the surface. I only don't know yet how consistent he can be with his floaters mid range shots and threes. I think he will be strong finisher inside and will head to FT line a lot with time.

https://x.com/Crazedrat1/status/1878195687076090203

[Shawshank]

I dont trust twitter and what any random people can writte there. .I trust basketball reference site numbers


Im checking on basketball reference where all 60 rookies is put and there a stats called BMP

and Buzelis there is ranked 34th with -5.3 of all rookies


Other advance stats there is also dont like Buzelis compared to other rookies

[Toruko]

Let time pass to draw conclusion guys. He is talented. I would have said if not

If he comes to play for the LTU NT great. I cant think of a better forward for now. To have and NBA forward is always great, no matter he is a top 2 player or not.

[Straight forward]

Also Buzelis in 13minutes +- have - 5,3 in this area he ranks 34th best of 44 rookies who played atleast 10 games

Not sure if coaches will see this stats it will help him getting more minutes.But lets hope they wont see it

You're bad with stats, dude.

https://x.com/statdefender/status/1878411669329916303

[Shawshank]

Also Buzelis in 13minutes +- have - 5,3 in this area he ranks 34th best of 44 rookies who played atleast 10 games

Not sure if coaches will see this stats it will help him getting more minutes.But lets hope they wont see it

[Straight forward]

Oh yes what Buzelis have that american big mouth where he thinks he is the best every time he steps on the floor

Lets hope Bulls coach will think that too and with more minutes Buzelis have chance to make top 20 in scoring in weakest rookie class of last 10 years

You're too preoccupied with how he fairs with other current rookie and too less with how he fairs long term (his upside).

[Shawshank]

Oh yes what Buzelis have that american big mouth where he thinks he is the best every time he steps on the floor

Lets hope Bulls coach will think that too and with more minutes Buzelis have chance to make top 20 in scoring in weakest rookie class of last 10 years