LAS VEGAS – The days of the true bring-the-ball-up, initiate-the-offense point guard are becoming extinct.
Matas Buzelis showed on Friday that he’s looking to be a part of the invasive species that accelerates that process.
That’s what this brief Summer League appearance was supposed to be for the 6-foot-10, second-year Bulls forward. A chance for him to put concept into practice by not only rebounding the basketball, but play the role of ball-handler and facilitator, and do so with pace.
Not that this philosophy is new.
NBA teams have been allowing their athletic bigs to attack opposing defenses the past few seasons, whether it was what Giannis Antetokounmpo has been doing for the Bucks, what Nikola Jokic does in Denver or even what rookie Cooper Flagg showcased in his Summer League debut on Thursday.
The philosophy is simple: Attack the opposition before they can set the defense or jump into the right matchups, and if the big also happens to be the best offensive player on the roster even better.
Pressure, pressure and more pressure on the offensive end.
This is the evolution the Bulls want to see from Buzelis.
It took a few minutes into the game with Toronto, but it was seen.
With 5:20 left in the opening stanza, Buzelis grabbed one of his five rebounds on the night, took three dribbles to cover half the court and found a wide-open Lachlan Olbrich heading towards the basket. The second-round pick blew the lay-up, but point made.
There were of course some hiccups, especially when the Raptors made it a point to double-team and blitz Buzelis like they did more often in the second half, but he definitely showed he has the handles and vision to grab some more responsibility in that department.
Another added dimension to the Bulls offense as Buzelis finished with 17 points and got to the free throw line seven times. He won’t play on Saturday, but could play later next week.
“It’s cool because I used to play that position,” Buzelis said. “I was a point guard when I was younger so me getting back to my roots, I always had the ball in my hands. It’s like second nature. Against (Toronto), very tough team, it was tough. They had seven rotational guys, picked up full-court, but I think it’s a great idea honestly. I think I can strive.”
It’s not all they want to see, as Buzelis was expected to play just a few Summer League games and make sure he’ll be ready for fall camp with the big-boy club.
Last season’s rookie campaign was all about crawling before walking for Buzelis. Once coach Billy Donovan took the training wheels off, making the 11th overall draft pick a starter, however, the staff watched his game pop, averaging 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 35% from three and 47.3% from the field.
Not bad in just scratching the surface of his skillset.
The hope was some added weight to his frame would kick up the physicality, and while it was against a bunch of Summer Leaguers, Buzelis also showed there was muscle behind the hustle.
That included a filthy left-handed drive where he split the double team, took the contact at the rim and finished for the three-point play.
“I think it gives us another look,” Buzelis said. “If I get by my guy I’m going straight to the rim, dunking it. I can make plays. I think it’s something to look into quite honestly.”
And of course there was some trash talking for any Raptor listening after that three-point play. After all, Matas is still gotta be Matas.