Honestly my biggest takeaway was the maturity in buzis game. I was hopeful on him before, but I think he has the chance to be something real in the league. Like luol Deng vibes, a two way versatile wing. He may not be able to carry a team, but I think he's going to be a terrific support for some star player.
think he has a way higher offensive ceiling than Lu. He already has better handles and a potentially more credible 3 pt shot. Loved Lu but his nonexistent handle and iffy 3 pointer capped him at 17/18 a night. Matas can get to 24 in 2 years, plus he is taller with more athleticism
Agreed. I meant more in that role. Like luol is a multi year allstar, was constantly our second best scorer while also being out best defender. An absolute lynchpin at the forward position. I think buzelis is that. I don't think he can be the guy that carries the offensive load, but he's your secondary.
They are both slashers that don't really create for themselves (so far at least). Luol was from a different era offensively and regularly took long 2s just a couple of feet inside the line. And he made them! Matas at least exists in a world where developing a 3 point shot is a necessity.
The finishing that we've seen last night and through the preseason, that's a different level. Finishing with either hand, going both left or right, the intelligence to time out the cuts. Those are the ingredients for something greater.
I think you are underrating Lu a bit, but I get your point. Deng could never be the first option on offense, but Matas could get there. Of course Lu was a great 2-way player, 5 years in the top 25 in the NBA, by RAPM. Matas has a lot of work to do to get to that level.
Bulls: "Hey, maybe this feel-good opening night win will get us some real attention from NBA fans and insiders!"
FBI: "Hold my beer."
But on a more serious note, the Bulls are impacted by today's news in that I believe maybe the 2nd-best realistic thing that could happen for the franchise (after Buzelis blossoming into a true star) would be the Blazers making the playoffs as the 8th seed and getting their pick. I know there are scenarios where it's better to NOT convey so we can hold hostage their future pick flexibility, but I don't see AKME as someone who's good at negotiation tactics.
As for the game last night, I'm just happy this team seems like one I'm happy to root for, even if "middle-of-the-pack" is probably their ceiling (and maybe their floor). I could let my disdain for AKME and the 'Dorfs turn me bitter, but I didn't do that with Krause and the 'Dorfs in the late 90s. I think I'm willing to invest a bit of emotional energy into these guys that I could never really muster with the Zach-led groups....and probably no squads since Noah and Butler departed.
Now for Vuc, nice game for him. He's gonna beat up on teams like the Pistons (I don't regard them that highly) who don't play skilled centers. He's still going to look bad against elite centers, but if he can stay "engaged" (quoting Stacey King) like last night and not get distracted/emotional, he is going to have a lot more games like this one.
All right! We are legitimately 1-0. I think all our 44 wins will look like this. I wouldn't expect any of them to look pretty. We've got an old center who can't jump, a point guard who has an ugly shot, and a bunch of one-way role players who all look like overachievers. It is what it is.
Honestly my biggest takeaway was the maturity in buzis game. I was hopeful on him before, but I think he has the chance to be something real in the league. Like luol Deng vibes, a two way versatile wing. He may not be able to carry a team, but I think he's going to be a terrific support for some star player.
think he has a way higher offensive ceiling than Lu. He already has better handles and a potentially more credible 3 pt shot. Loved Lu but his nonexistent handle and iffy 3 pointer capped him at 17/18 a night. Matas can get to 24 in 2 years, plus he is taller with more athleticism
Agreed. I meant more in that role. Like luol is a multi year allstar, was constantly our second best scorer while also being out best defender. An absolute lynchpin at the forward position. I think buzelis is that. I don't think he can be the guy that carries the offensive load, but he's your secondary.
They are both slashers that don't really create for themselves (so far at least). Luol was from a different era offensively and regularly took long 2s just a couple of feet inside the line. And he made them! Matas at least exists in a world where developing a 3 point shot is a necessity.
The finishing that we've seen last night and through the preseason, that's a different level. Finishing with either hand, going both left or right, the intelligence to time out the cuts. Those are the ingredients for something greater.
I think you are underrating Lu a bit, but I get your point. Deng could never be the first option on offense, but Matas could get there. Of course Lu was a great 2-way player, 5 years in the top 25 in the NBA, by RAPM. Matas has a lot of work to do to get to that level.
Bulls: "Hey, maybe this feel-good opening night win will get us some real attention from NBA fans and insiders!"
FBI: "Hold my beer."
But on a more serious note, the Bulls are impacted by today's news in that I believe maybe the 2nd-best realistic thing that could happen for the franchise (after Buzelis blossoming into a true star) would be the Blazers making the playoffs as the 8th seed and getting their pick. I know there are scenarios where it's better to NOT convey so we can hold hostage their future pick flexibility, but I don't see AKME as someone who's good at negotiation tactics.
As for the game last night, I'm just happy this team seems like one I'm happy to root for, even if "middle-of-the-pack" is probably their ceiling (and maybe their floor). I could let my disdain for AKME and the 'Dorfs turn me bitter, but I didn't do that with Krause and the 'Dorfs in the late 90s. I think I'm willing to invest a bit of emotional energy into these guys that I could never really muster with the Zach-led groups....and probably no squads since Noah and Butler departed.
Now for Vuc, nice game for him. He's gonna beat up on teams like the Pistons (I don't regard them that highly) who don't play skilled centers. He's still going to look bad against elite centers, but if he can stay "engaged" (quoting Stacey King) like last night and not get distracted/emotional, he is going to have a lot more games like this one.
All right! We are legitimately 1-0. I think all our 44 wins will look like this. I wouldn't expect any of them to look pretty. We've got an old center who can't jump, a point guard who has an ugly shot, and a bunch of one-way role players who all look like overachievers. It is what it is.