BOSTON — Matas Buzelis, now in his second year with the Chicago Bulls, acknowledges that although he values his selection for the NBA Rising Stars Game, it is not the pinnacle of his ambitions. Participating in Friday night’s event during All-Star Weekend is an honor, but for Buzelis, it represents just one step in a much larger journey to reach the NBA’s highest stage.
He pointedly noted,
“Everything is exciting for me still,”
regarding his involvement in Los Angeles at this weekend’s festivities.
“Anything you get to participate in is an honor and exciting, but I’m not going to lie, yeah, I want to be in that Sunday game for sure,”
highlighting his desire to play in the NBA All-Star Game that closes out the weekend, an event showcasing the league’s elite talent.
Challenges Facing Buzelis Amid Team Changes and Expectations
Since being drafted in 2024, Buzelis has aspired to become one of the best, with winning as a top priority. However, the past week has underscored the difficult path he faces. A significant number of veteran Bulls players who had supported him during his rookie season and summer have moved on. Notable names like Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, and Kevin Huerter were traded by the February 8 deadline, leaving a fresh, less experienced roster behind.
Following these roster upheavals, Buzelis’s momentum has slowed, with fewer moments of dominance. While players like rookies Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel have already secured notable breakout performances this season, Buzelis’s highlights have been more sporadic, falling short of establishing a consistent pattern of impact.
Reflecting this awareness, Buzelis shared,
“I’m fully capable of becoming a great player and this is just the process it is going to be for me,”
and added,
“But I know for a fact that every year I’m going to get better as a player. I know that will happen. I’m going to work extremely hard, push myself until exhaustion to become that player.”
He emphasized a team-first mentality, stating,
“I’m more worried about this team and as a collective group what can we achieve. I’m all up for the challenge of becoming whatever people say or believe — All-Star, yada, yada.”
Coach Billy Donovan Addresses Team Performance and Expectations
Bulls coach Billy Donovan has voiced concerns about the team’s recent inconsistencies, especially regarding ball movement and assists, which are critical to offensive success. After a game against Boston where the Bulls managed only eight assists in the first half, Donovan remarked,
“What I’m concerned about is I totally understand on the stat sheet that assists are going to be a reflection of made baskets, and consistently before (these trades) happened we were a team that was 28-30-some assists per game.”
He underscored the importance of cohesive play for all players, including Buzelis and Patrick Williams, saying,
“We need to learn how to play the right way, everybody… Nobody is going to look good when you’re not helping each other.”
Dealing with a Struggling Team Environment
In addition to personal development challenges, Buzelis is grappling with the reality that his team is enduring what appears to be a soft tanking phase. Winning, his foremost goal, remains elusive, and the team’s standings reflect that harsh truth. Addressing this, Buzelis said,
“It is hard but what can you do? You’re not going home and crying about it,”
confirming his resilience.
“You’ve just got to wake up and get back to work. I do understand that it’s going to be difficult to get into a groove as a team, but we’re all up for that challenge. Sooner or later, the sun will shine.”
Competitive Spirit Remains Intense at Rising Stars Event
Looking ahead to Friday night’s Rising Stars Game, Buzelis made clear that while the event is a gathering of the league’s promising young talent, his competitive spirit remains fierce.
“This game is the league’s future and there is a lot of hype around some of these guys,”
he said, reflecting on the excitement surrounding the matchup.
“I’m looking forward to going out there and competing against them, sharing a moment, building relationships with, but if it goes down to a one-on-one situation in these games against any guy, we’re going at each other and that’s just how it is.”
For now, Friday’s spotlight will have to suffice for Buzelis as he continues to push toward the goals that have motivated him since entering the NBA.
