Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis wasn’t star-struck on Saturday night when he made a nasty move on Luka Doncic before dunking on the Los Angeles Lakers star in the first quarter of their matchup at crypto.com arena.
As former Bulls center Will Perdue told CCS, Buzelis’ confidence is one of the forward’s best features.
A Chicago Bulls rookie has plenty of confidence
NBA: Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) gets past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and to the basket during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
“Just the aggression which he plays with. He attacks the rim, he’s not intimidated, and that’s that says a lot,” Perdue said. “I mean, as young as he is, to step into the league, and some of these guys are (that Buzelis is playing against), quite honestly, his idols, but he doesn’t back down.
“But yet, I like how he walks that line of confidence, but he doesn’t cross over into arrogance. You see, a lot of players do that because they don’t understand the difference of the two, and I think he’s got a true grasp of that.”
Matas Buzelis dunked on Luka Doncic
NBA: Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls go Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) goes up for the ball against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
MATAS BUZELIS ON LUKA DONCIC
pic.twitter.com/JYwwMBeyZM
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) March 23, 2025
The Bulls selected Buzelis with the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft. He’s showing signs of a future star in Chicago.
NBA: Chicago Bulls at Utah Jazz Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) gets past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) and to the basket during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images