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BOLD PROCLAMATION: Matas Buzelis’ Electrifying 7-Word Message to the NBA Immediately Labels Him as the Steal of the Draft.

Posted on October 17, 2025 - 6:27 am by

The Chicago Bulls, often overlooked as a rebuilding squad in the Eastern Conference, are entering the 2025-26 NBA season with a spark of defiance. Leading the charge is second-year forward Matas Buzelis, whose bold seven-word declaration—“We can shock some people this year”—has ignited intrigue across the league. After a standout performance in the Bulls’ preseason finale, a 126-120 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Buzelis is proving why his slide to the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft was a colossal misstep by 10 other teams.

 

Buzelis’ confidence isn’t just talk. In Thursday’s preseason closer, the 21-year-old forward showcased his tantalizing blend of size, athleticism, and skill. Starting alongside Jalen Smith, Nikola Vucevic, Tre Jones, and Josh Giddey, he logged 25 minutes, erupting for 19 points on an efficient 8-13 shooting, including 2-5 from beyond the arc. Add in a rebound, an assist, a steal, two blocks, and a highlight-reel windmill dunk that set social media ablaze, and it’s clear why fans and analysts are buzzing. As @pointmadebball posted on X, “Another day, another opportunity to question how in the world Matas Buzelis fell outside of the top-10 on draft day. There’s just no way teams should’ve been afraid to bet on a player with this level of feel, size & athleticism.”

Last season, the Bulls squeaked into the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament with a 39-43 record, finishing 10th in the East. Buzelis, then a rookie from the now-defunct NBA G League Ignite program, played a key role, appearing in 80 of 82 games and starting 31. Averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 18.9 minutes per game, he shot 45% from the field and an impressive 36% from three. While those numbers were solid for a first-year player, his recent preseason outburst suggests he’s ready to take a significant leap in his sophomore campaign.

Drafted 11th overall, Buzelis was overshadowed by teammate Ron Holland, who went fifth to the Detroit Pistons. Yet, it’s Buzelis who’s now turning heads as the steal of the draft. His combination of a 6’10” frame, guard-like ball-handling, and defensive versatility makes him a prototype for the modern NBA forward. Posts on X, like one from @TheHoopCentral highlighting his electrifying windmill dunk, underscore the growing hype around his potential.

As the Bulls gear up for their season opener against the Detroit Pistons next week, Buzelis’ bold proclamation sets the tone for a team determined to defy expectations. Chicago’s young core, bolstered by veterans like Vucevic and new additions like Giddey, has the tools to disrupt the Eastern Conference hierarchy. If Buzelis continues his upward trajectory, his seven-word message could become a rallying cry for a Bulls squad ready to shock the NBA—and prove he was the gem of the 2024 draft.