After three preseason games, Matas Buzelis confirms what he displayed during the entire pre-Draft process, namely that he is not afraid of anything… and especially not of taking shots.
Against the Bucks, he ended the game with 15 points at 5/13 shooting, including 3/9 from distance. There were a few airballs in the pile, but also a few shots that he created on his own, and this dunk with Giannis Antetokounmpo's fault, please. Proof that despite his very frail physique, he is not afraid of contact.
“He’s not afraid of anyone, and that’s huge for a guy coming into the league like that, with that confidence.” Josh Giddey appreciates. “It's easy for beginners to be shy, to avoid challenges, but that's to his credit. He’s a very talented kid and he’s going to have a hell of a career in the NBA.”
Superstars are players like any other
The fact remains that if Billy Donovan also speaks of his “enormous potential”, the coach recalls that the American-Lithuanian has a lot of work ahead of him, and that he should spend time in the G-League.
But his displayed “nastiness” can do good for a team that may have been too “nice” in recent seasons.
“I just think he’s a player like any other”he explained about his duel with Giannis Antetokounmpo, while he still took six fouls in 22 minutes on the floor. “I know who he is, of course. But when we enter the field, the counters are reset, so that's how I see it. It's a difficult duel. He is very strong, tall, athletic, he can do everything on the field. But I will do my best and I will fight every moment of the match. »
