Matas Buzelis - 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

[AFBlue]

I also don't know how much to weight his performance, or Holland for that matter, with Ignite. It was clearly a poorly constructed roster without an iden y that was going up against grown men. Hard to know how much that affected the stats or efficiency for either player.

[objective]

Every time I watch him I see a better rim protecting, worse perimeter defending Samanic.

Samanic proved that size and short arms and decent skill all around isn't enough to earn playing time in the NBA at PF. For 1, there's plenty if SFs who can shoot a little and rebound decently to play up at the 4. And they will have better wing skills. But also Because there's already guys at the natural PF like Trey Lyles who do just enough of everything already that you have to prove you're better than.

Samanic has dominated the g-league, just crushed it. But no real 3 point shot = end of bench and wandering the g-league.

[Pauleta14]

Not sure what to think bb wise but hard pass on personaility

I like prospects humble and focused not a frat boy laughing all the time. Sochan is already too many

I know it's very subjective but it's rarely a good sign from a kid who hasn't done anything yet

[The Truth #6]

Not sure what to think bb wise but hard pass on personaility

I like prospects humble and focused not a frat boy laughing all the time. Sochan is already too many

I know it's very subjective but it's rarely a good sign from a kid who hasn't done anything yet

His personality may be more divisive than his talent. The interview I saw he struck me as fairly normal and down to Earth and avoids the drama of social media. He comes across very casual to me, and so my concern is being too meek rather than arrogant.

[Pauleta14]

His personality may be more divisive than his talent. The interview I saw he struck me as fairly normal and down to Earth and avoids the drama of social media. He comes across very casual to me, and so my concern is being too meek rather than arrogant.

I could be wrong tbh. But at this point we're all playing the numbers on many diff factors. I just have a bad feeling with him. and I know it's subjective.

I'd expect a propect who really disapointed in many aspect this previous season (in terms of at ude even more than poor shooting) to come up serious and humble. Not trying to trash talk another pospect or act cool, laughing all the time.

I see that in Sochan already on the court when he messes up and don't like it. Buzelis seems the same type

We'll see

[Uriel]

That hair though.

Buzelis is taller, longer, faster and more athletic than Risacher. He also possesses self-creation ability and, unlike Risacher, projects as more than a high-end role player and could have star potential. So why is Risacher widely being mocked #1 while Buzelis barely appears in the top 5?

[BatManu20]

Buzelis is taller, longer, faster and more athletic than Risacher. He also possesses self-creation ability and, unlike Risacher, projects as more than a high-end role player and could have star potential. So why is Risacher widely being mocked #1 while Buzelis barely appears in the top 5?

Buzelis doesn’t have a single discernible trait that he can hang his hat on right now, and he has serious questions regarding his jump shot. He’s more potential than production.

Risacher excels at 3-point shooting, which is at a premium in the NBA right now, as well as perimeter defense. He’s the “safer” pick because he fills a more modern need/role as a 3-and-D wing. Really that simple tbh.

[DAF86]

Buzelis is taller, longer, faster and more athletic than Risacher. He also possesses self-creation ability and, unlike Risacher, projects as more than a high-end role player and could have star potential. So why is Risacher widely being mocked #1 while Buzelis barely appears in the top 5?

Because Risacher is an actually productive player, instead of a combination of promises. I wouldn't be mad with Buzelis, though. He's one of the few non-shooters I can see developing that shot.

[Spurs Homer]

loved his at ude...get this guy - he is y and knows he is going to be a star -

buzelis #4

dilly #8

done

[Dejounte]

Buzelis doesn’t have a single discernible trait that he can hang his hat on right now. He’s more potential than production.

Risacher excels at 3-point shooting, which is at a premium in the NBA right now, as well as perimeter defense. He’s the “safer” pick because he fills a more modern need/role as a 3-and-D wing. Really that simple tbh.

I don’t know why his defense is a “sure thing”. He wasn’t some shut down defender in his league, metrics don’t show that his team was better with him defensively than without, the players he was tasked to defend weren’t players with great one on one ability. The basis for this is he’d sometimes switch on guards and be satisfactory at it. The idea is that he’d work in defensive schemes because you’d have options to throw at offensive players. To me, this sounds theoretical for Zaccharie since players in the NBA are quicker. I mean, if we’re applying the same critique to Topic’s finishing ability against professional Euro players (who cares about the league, all of them are scrubs), than we should say the same for Zaccharie.

[BatManu20]

I like the point in the write up about whether he can realistically spread out to the wing, so he doesn't conflict with Sochan. If the Spurs believe he can, I'd place decent odds on him being in play at 4. If not, I just don't see it unless he falls to 8. And with the Pistons, Hornets and Blazers behind them, I don't think he falls.

Yea he’s not falling to 8. I doubt he falls past Detroit at 5 tbh. Charlotte at 6 would be the lowest I could see him going. He’s one of the few prospects in this weaker draft with real upside. Spurs would have to nab him at 4 if they wanted him, and I just don’t see them taking him over Castle or Sheppard, especially with Sochan on board.

[scottspurs]

Just spitballing but could it be possible the spurs have enough of a scouting report on the G-League ignite guys that they don’t work them out. If you don’t like them no need to work them out. If you do like them you can keep your cards close to the vest and not show other teams you are interested. I’m sure they interacted with Buzelis enough at the combine to know his character.

[jjspur]

Someone is trying to prop up Buzelis probably hoping someone else falls a slot or two. Earlier a poster was comparing Risacher and Buzelis. Those two are in two totally different zones. Risacher was an important part of his french playoff team, while Buzelis didn't make much of difference on a very poor ignite team. His play really didn't stand out.

Sorry but Buzile is fools gold. Some team will draft him based on his potential, but he will spend a lot of time back in the G-League, just with a bigger contract. There are better, more already skilled players the spurs can draft at 4 and at 8. He's Samanic 2.0 . Pass.

[scottspurs]

Someone is trying to prop up Buzelis probably hoping someone else falls a slot or two. Earlier a poster was comparing Risacher and Buzelis. Those two are in two totally different zones. Risacher was an important part of his french playoff team, while Buzelis didn't make much of difference on a very poor ignite team. His play really didn't stand out.

Sorry but Buzile is fools gold. Some team will draft him based on his potential, but he will spend a lot of time back in the G-League, just with a bigger contract. There are better, more already skilled players the spurs can draft at 4 and at 8. He's Samanic 2.0 . Pass.

lol I keep seeing the Samanic comparisons and just don’t see it. Buzelis is way more refined as a player. I’m not sure of anyone in this class being a star but if I had to bet on it I would say Buzelis has the most tools to become all-star level player in this entire draft.

I would take him over Risacher. He is slightly better in every aspect in my opinion except for shooting. Not that I would be upset with the Spurs picking Risacher. I would understand the pick even if I don’t agree with it depending on who is available.

[objective]

Buzelis is taller, longer, faster and more athletic than Risacher. He also possesses self-creation ability and, unlike Risacher, projects as more than a high-end role player and could have star potential. So why is Risacher widely being mocked #1 while Buzelis barely appears in the top 5?

Taller and longer is so close that it's kind of a reach to emphasize it. 0.25 inches taller? Buzelis is also 6 months older, for all anyone knows Risacher could grow 0.25 inches in the next 6 months.

And the vertical numbers have their own problems: if they're legit, then Buzelis has a standing reach that's 1.5 inches less. He could have gamed the tests like Sheppard to get a smaller reach for a bigger vert number.

[Dejounte]

. He could have gamed the tests like Sheppard to get a smaller reach for a bigger vert number.

Lo and behold, this was my point when I said that if one thing was a sham, then everything can be seen as a sham. This is a rabbit hole of irrational thinking. We can say anybody gamed the tests at this point, as long as it fits our narrative. What a damn shame.

SaRr GAmEd tHe wInGsPaN meAsUrEmEnT, iT’s OnLy ReALly OnE inCH

buBuBut DiLlInGhaM iS ReAlLy OnE FoOt TaLl, hE gAMed ThAt MeaSurEment

yeah one foot tall like my

this logic is stupid

[Pauleta14]

Taller and longer is so close that it's kind of a reach to emphasize it. 0.25 inches taller? Buzelis is also 6 months older, for all anyone knows Risacher could grow 0.25 inches in the next 6 months.

And the vertical numbers have their own problems: if they're legit, then Buzelis has a standing reach that's 1.5 inches less. He could have gamed the tests like Sheppard to get a smaller reach for a bigger vert number.

Also as Bruno (I think) reminded us, Buzelis like most US prospects prepared for the tests while ZR had to wait the end of his season to go in Italy in a gym with 4 other dudes...

[BatManu20]

[Mr. Body]

The weirdo chip on the shoulder thing with Matas is so bizarre. Like, bro, you haven't done jack yet. Who are you calling out, little brother?

[LeBowen]

The weirdo chip on the shoulder thing with Matas is so bizarre. Like, bro, you haven't done jack yet. Who are you calling out, little brother?

He's got such a punchable face.
I'm adding him to the list of players I absolutely don't want to see in Spurs uniform.

[John B]

loved his at ude...get this guy - he is y and knows he is going to be a star -

buzelis #4

dilly #8

done

Samanic was y, he didn’t think he needed to improve anymore. And yeah, Samanic beats the crap of these two in physicality.

[Spurs Homer]

Samanic was y, he didn’t think he needed to improve anymore. And yeah, Samanic beats the crap of these two in physicality.

If he is a future star i want the spurs to get him…

after the primo/samanic nightmare- spurs are overdue to find another great one

[The Truth #6]

Buzelis at 4 isn't a reach like how Primo was a reach. Samanic would have gone higher if he wasn't such a malcontent. Buzelis at 4 is not shocking, it just depends on if he can fit into the Spurs system.

[AFBlue]

Duplicative with Sochan.

[Pauleta14]

Buzelis at 4 isn't a reach like how Primo was a reach. Samanic would have gone higher if he wasn't such a malcontent. Buzelis at 4 is not shocking, it just depends on if he can fit into the Spurs system.

Buzelis at 4 is a MASSIVE reach. I haven't seen him in any mock draft close to that. Only the moronic Pistons were linked the highest

+ It doesn't "depend if he can fit the Spurs system", any good player can.

It depends on if he can shoot, defend or pass, 3 things he's been gravely unable to do

I think only Buzelis would depress me in this whole draft. massive red flag on this frat boy