{"id":622049,"date":"2026-02-24T14:52:20","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T14:52:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/622049\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T14:52:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T14:52:20","slug":"chicago-bulls-coach-reveals-hard-truth-for-matas-buzelis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/622049\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Bulls coach reveals hard truth for Matas Buzelis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bulls are now on a nine-game slump after losing to the New York Knicks. Despite their struggles, Matas Buzelis continues to be a bright spot for the Bulls. The second-year forward has played and started in all 58 games for the Bulls this season. He is averaging 15.0 points per game on 46.8% shooting. Buzelis also averages 5.4 rebounds a game and he leads the Bulls in blocks<\/a> with 1.5.<\/p>\n

The Bulls were among the busiest teams at the NBA trade deadline. Which means players have been in and out of the lineup with no real consistency. Additionally, injuries are also a problem for the struggling Bulls. Fortunately for head coach Billy Donovan, Buzelis has been the consistent piece in his puzzle this year.<\/p>\n

\"FebChicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) talks with head coach Billy Donovan during the first half against the Detroit Pistons.
\nChicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan pushes Matas Buzelis<\/p>\n

In their loss against the Knicks, Buzelis led the Bulls with 15 points<\/a>. Unfortunately, he had an off night from the field, shooting only 33.3%. Despite that, Donovan still believes that he is helping their guys develop \u2014 especially Buzelis.<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018It\u2019s been a lot harder on Matas, but I think in a good way,\u2019\u2019 Donovan said, via the Chicago Sun Times<\/a>. \u2018\u2018When Coby [White] was here and Ayo [Dosunmu] was here and \u2018Vooch\u2019 [Nikola Vucevic] was here, even though [Buzelis] got into the starting lineup, he\u2019s now starting to see the best defenders in the league night in and night out. I think that\u2019s a great opportunity for him to make a jump because he\u2019s starting to learn a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018\u2018The consistency of being able to perform at a really high level against really good defenders and good players is something he\u2019s kind of gotten thrust into, and I do think that because of his makeup and competitiveness, how much he leans into that, that could really help him.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Buzelis is already blossoming as one of the Bulls\u2019 core young players. The Chicago native is on an upward trend, having already nearly doubled his point production from last year. Donovan is clearly optimistic about Buzelis\u2019 improvement, especially with the looks that the 6-foot-8 forward has been getting lately.<\/p>\n

As for the Bulls, what better way to get another Chicago native to build for the future? The 21-year-old said that he found motivation<\/a> through Bulls legend Derrick Rose. This is great for the organization, as he understands what it means to win with the Bulls.<\/p>\n

\"Josh<\/p>\n

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