The Chicago Bulls finally got themselves a resounding win last night against the Toronto Raptors crushing them by a score of 122-106.
This was the first Bulls victory of outscoring their opponent of 15+ points or more since they beat the Washington Wizards by a margin of 33 points back on Jan. 10.
In the victory, the Bulls received contributions from point guard Coby White who had 25 points, and Patrick Williams who is settling into his new role nicely contributing 11 points in 29 minutes.
Another Bulls star, rookie Matas Buzelis had another amazing game as the Bull’s sixth man and is quickly emerging to be one of the Bull’s centerpieces for the future.
Another solid outing from the rookie
Head Coach Billy Donovan finally relented and allowed Buzelis to see more minutes by naming him the sixth man after Williams’s recent offensive struggles. In the games since being named the Bull’s sixth man, Buzelis has scored 11 points, 5 rebounds, and a total of 2 assists in 22.6 minutes.
In his latest action, Buzelis shined again in the Bull’s win against the Raptors playing in 26 minutes scoring 12 points, taking down 7 rebounds, shooting 50% from three, and was perfect from the line. Buzelis is taking his role as the Bull’s sixth man seriously with Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reporting that Matas was disappointed to not make the Rising Stars Challenge but it drives him to be better.
“Matas Buzelis getting locked into 6th man role
Just said this on
broadcast: Buzelis wanted to make the Rising Stars Challenge but looked inward: “I’m disappointed in myself. This just drives more fire into me.”
Said he wants to finish the season stronger than any other rookie”
Matas Buzelis getting locked into 6th man role
Just said this on @CHSN__ broadcast: Buzelis wanted to make Rising Stars Challenge but looked inward: "I’m disappointed in myself. This just drives more fire into me."
Said he wants to finish season stronger than any other rookie
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 1, 2025
The hometown kid certainly has the chance to do just that with being as Johnson said ‘getting locked in as the 6th man’.
Could Buzelis be better than the other rookies?
Buzelis could certainly be one of the better rookies once the season finishes and he possibly could be in contention for the Rookie of the Year. If he can maintain his sixth man status and get some starts here and there to improve his numbers Matas has as good a shot as any to win the award. The last Bulls player to win the Rookie of the Year was Bulls legend Derrick Rose back in 2009.
At the current moment, Buzelis has his work cut out for him ranking among rookies 24th in points (5.3), 21st in rebounds (2.8) but is 6th in blocks (0.8). With getting more minutes as the sixth man and possibly working his way into the starting rotation depending on what the Bulls do a this Thursday’s trade deadline.
A core piece for the Chicago Bulls
Buzelis is quickly becoming a core piece for the Bulls with him recently being named as an ‘untouchable’ player in trade talks.
Buzelis is slated to take part in the NBA Dunk Contest which should propel him further into stardom especially if he puts on a show for the fans.
Buzelis’s attitude, his mindset, and his hunger to get better are exactly what the Bulls need and should build around. Hopefully, that energy can translate to other players and lead the Bulls to further success this season.
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