A Bulls star said he's been working with a legendary former NBA champion as he hones his game for the upcoming season.
The 2025-26 Chicago Bulls were led in scoring by point guard Josh Giddey, but another Bulls star played in more games and can be found two places down the scoring charts: second-year forward Matas Buzelis.
Buzelis nearly doubled his scoring average in his sophomore NBA season and is actively hunting ways to improve his game this offseason.
On Tuesday, Buzelis joined the 'Ball in the Family' podcast during which he made several revelations including his ideal training partner and news of training with an NBA legend who ranks in the same category for countless NBA players.
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Buzelis Makes Dirk Nowitzki Admission
Dirk Nowitzki won the 2011 NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks and did it in impressive fashion, taking down the Miami Heat and their 'Big 3' of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Nowitzki is internationally famous for his arsenal of tough angle shots including one-legged fadeaways, two-legged fadeaways, high-arcing three-pointers and everything in-between.
Buzelis shared that he has been working with Nowitzki ahead of the 2026-27 season, which will be his third in the NBA.
(I've) got a new routine, so we've been working with Dirk a little bit. Dirk Nowitzki, he's been giving us some, you know, keys to the shooting," Buzelis said.
Ball: Buzelis 'On a Leash' With Bulls
Former Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball chimed in with his thoughts on Buzelis' development as he shared a story about former coach Billy Donovan's harsh treatment of the rising star.
"Matas got game bro but like he was, when I was over there he was on a leash, unfortunately," Ball said.
"I've been in some crazy moments watching film in the NBA where I'm just like, 'Wow,'" Ball continued.
"Bro shoots a step-back easy midi (mid-range jumper), right? That he can probably make eight out of ten times.
"He happens to miss it, by the way, just a casual miss, wasn't an airball, nothin' crazy or nothin'," Ball continued.
"Billy stops the film, goes in, says take that (expletive) and throw it in the garbage!
"I'm like, bro, we're in the NBA, these are real players, you're putting them in a box? I feel like that's not good for your mental." Ball concluded.
Buzelis will have a chance to shoot, run, gun, and expand his game with several new teammates this coming season including Caleb Wilson, whose play this past Summer League has catapulted him into Rookie of the Year contention.
