Bulls first round pick.

6'10 Forward.

Lithuanian born in Chicago.

Surprised he was still there. Most mocks I saw showed him in the top 10, even top 5

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

NBA Comparison: Franz Wagner

Strengths: Buzelis is currently a thin 6’10 195 forward with a frame that will be able to add significant muscle, giving him plenty of intrigue as a potential mismatch along the frontcourt … Also shows bouncy run-jump athleticism, body control and agility for a player his size that should only continue to improve as he adds more strength … Good ball-handling ability for a 6’10 player; comfortable facing the basket, operating on the perimeter and especially in transition where he can be potent when going downhill … Willing to initiate offense on his own after missed shots at times, whether going coast-to-coast or making outlet passes to advance the ball … Will slither around contact to create angles to score … Budding point-forward skills (49 assists last season with G-League Ignite) that will be worth continuing to develop given his strong floor vision and timing as a passer … Plays at his own pace and shows a good feel for the game; generally doesn’t force the issue and knows when to give up the rock vs when to call his own number … Can be a surprisingly emphatic finisher through contact for a thin player; made a good amount of posters just this past season alone (51 FG% inside the arc) … Moves without the ball; defenders have to look out for him on backdoor cuts … Has a soft touch that adds a layer of intrigue to his potential as a scorer (14.3 PPG on 45 FG%), and can find different ways to subtly get space to convert shots against contests … Willing to take shots from deep (24 made 3s) and has been productive with it in the past (45 3FG% as a Hs Sr.), particularly when he can set his feet … Given his height he likely won’t have many problems rising and firing shots over defenders when he can’t get all the way to the rim … Has a developing turnaround J over his left shoulder in the low and mid-post areas that would be useful to build on … The timing and instincts he shows on the offensive end are also evident defensively; the film shows that he will use his rangy strides and work his feet to cut off slashing angles on the ball & make smart rotations off the ball … Excellent shot-blocking production (2.1 BPG) highlight his quick leaping skills and willingness to rim protect as a helpside defender … Generally does a solid job of “walling” and being straight-up when contesting shots to avoid unnecessary fouls … Versatile player with experience playing on and off the ball, who at his best could subtly contribute in multiple ways …

Weaknesses: Not very strong currently, and it impacts how effective he’s able to play on both ends of the court … Willing to finish through contact at times and shows at least decent toughness, but generally is a finesse player who looks to fade away or use his height to get shots off … Physical defense really can disrupt his game at his current strength level; struggles to consistently create slashing lanes or get to his spots cleanly against stronger players … Not particularly quick either, which allows more athletic defenders to be able to stay in front & force difficult looks, speed him up and represents another hindrance to his potential as a true primary shot-creator in halfcourt offense … Too light in the britches to establish any kind of consistent positioning in the post right now, which often negates his effectiveness on the low block … Got to the FT line at a poor rate, further illustrating a lack of physicality, and had mediocre at best success once there (2.2 FTA/G on 68%)…Flashes of point-forward skills are more of an idea than tangible production currently; had a negative A:TO in the G-League (1.9:2.1) and is more of an unselfish passing valve in an offense than a true facilitator at this point … Will also have to work on dealing with ball pressure at the point of attack to realize his playmaking potential…Relies heavily on timing and anticipation as a defender, could struggle to handle quicker players especially when matched up with on the perimeter … Plays with a high center of gravity that works against him on both ends of the court at times…Average rebounding skills for his height; could show more of a motor and tenacity on the glass (6.6 RPG) … Has shooting touch, but is a bit up-and-down from the perimeter (27 3FG% on 3.4 3FG/G) and it seems to due (at least in part) to trying to change his release point and quickness when contested … More effective with time and space than off the dribble…May be a “jack of all trades, master of none” type; doesn’t really have a particular skill he stands out at currently, though he is scratching the surface in a number of areas

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Saw him play on the AAU circuit with the Fire before he bounced to the Prep School. He can play and fills a need at the 4. Didn't see any of G League games but all of the mocks had him no lower than 5. Weak draft so him sliding to 11 is a bit of a concern. Not a bad pick for 11 and I'm glad they didn't go small.

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So we got two young whites in a span of a week for the rebuild. Uh oh... That's not good.

At least they're not American. Our whites our the worst.

American

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Wattabout Kodak Black?

AK's vision for the future of the Buzelis Bulls isn't exactly inspiring:



Sounds like AK really has a passion for his work. This franchise remains rudderless, clueless and hopeless.

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That's a good nickname for AK's 3 most recent 1st round draft picks!

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

Lets see what happens with Zach and DeMar.

But things do not look good.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

There's developmental issues starting with the coach. Hopefully with the mid-ranger gone, we can see an uptick in that area. Kendall says this draft pick has some dog in him. I hope PAW takes note.

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Wattabout Kodak Black?

Part of the Nazi diaspora. Hate to see it.

Slava Russiya!

is he indigenous ?

28 and 5 in the Vegas Summer League yesterday.

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/20 ... ig-game-2/
He looks like he is ready to play meaningful minutes as a eookie

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I saw part of the game. He looked good. Moves well, good shot, plays with an edge.

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Certainly has the demeanor of a smug asshole that went to Hinsdale Central

I saw that kid play on the AAU circuit when he was at Hinsdale. He played with the Fire back then and hadn't taken off in the rankings. Always a big time talent and he is athletic as shit. Bouncy quick twitch leaper and he can shoot it too. Surprised he dropped so low in a weak draft. His Gleague numbers were solid playing against better competition than he'd have found in college. I think he dropped because of his 3pt%. However in high school shooting was his forte

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His shooting motion looked good to me. The kid is fiery. Seems like an interesting prospect.

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Yeah he definitely has a high motor and he's known as a bit of a shit talker

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I got it on really good authority that the kid's mom sponsored his his AAU team to play in an out of town tournament back then and told the starting PG to remain at home because she Buzelis to run the point that weekend. Didn't sit to well with the other kid's father.

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Watched some highlights. He looks like the real deal. Looking forward to seeing him in the season. Hopefully they are able to unload Lavine and Vuc soon

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

The word is that the market is nil for those 2

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He looks like "The Real Deal" based on some Summer League Highlights? Interesting.

Yep

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I'll hold final observations after I see him against competition that won't be working at Raising Canes a month from now.

Shut the fuck up, you will watch one game and after his misses his first shot will proclaim that he is a bust

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

You shut the fuck up Ralph. You've got him inducted into the Basketball HOF based off of 1 game against Bronny James and his peers.

Yes that is exactly what I said. He is bound for the basketball HOF.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Nah. Every person that plays In the Vegas Summer League is a professional basketball player. Of course you wouldn't know that, or if the kid has talent because you never actually watch games. Regular Season or Otherwise. You're too busy reading the White Sox and Cubs posts of "Peep Show Frank" to ever notice anything else this time of year CB

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As we all know, "professional" is a very loose term. Mr. "Professional" educator.

Not for anyone who knows the meaning of the term it isn't.

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14 of last 18 NBA champs have paid the luxury tax that season.

Only 2020 Lakers, first 2 Warriors Curry titles and the last Spurs title did the Larry OBrien winner not pay luxury tax.

Bulls have paid luxury tax twice in their history, both during the D-Rose years, avg of $4 mil each time.

average luxury tax paid by last 3 title winners: $75 million in luxury tax for that one season.