In a routine training session at the Advocate Center before the preseason finale against Minnesota, players shot around and went through drills as usual. But only Matas Buzelis sat on the bench at midcourt with three coaches, locked into video review.
Despite recording five blocks in the fourth preseason game against Milwaukee, Buzelis wasn't satisfied with his defense.
"It's cool to see the blocks, but there's little stuff that has to be fixed," Buzelis said of the video session focused on his defensive presence. "I know I can be better, but the blocks are going to come, the defensive presence on the ball and impacting the ball is very important."
That mentality of detail obsessity and hunger defines Buzelis's approach heading into his second season. And it showed. Against the Timberwolves at the United Center, he wrapped up the preseason with a team-high 19 points, two blocks, and a steal in Chicago's 126-120 comeback victory. Over five preseason games, he averaged 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks—a remarkable jump from his rookie preseason.
Since media day, when he boldly declared his Most Improved Player goal, everything has fallen into place. The 21-year-old forward looks different—more decisive, more confident, more complete.
His improved decision-making jumps off the stat sheet. Last preseason, Buzelis averaged 2.0 turnovers per game. This year, he cut that to just 0.5. Personal fouls dropped from 2.8 to 1.6. The discipline isn't just about numbers—it's about reading the game better and staying under control.
That improved court vision has elevated his offensive game. Beyond utilizing his athleticism to attack the rim through contact—aligning with Billy Donovan's physical identity—Buzelis has expanded his three-point shooting. He attempted 5.6 threes per game this preseason, making 39.3%, compared to just 3.3 attempts at 36.1% last season. He's pulling from deeper range, off the dribble, and even in transition—shots he rarely took as a rookie.
"I know I could shoot the three," Buzelis said. "It's just the conditioning and the physicality standpoint that I know I could shoot the three."
Feeling "stronger" has simplified the game for him, giving him confidence with the ball. His explosiveness has reached another level, making him more intimidating attacking the rim with hammers. When asked about his scoring versatility, he said it came "off instincts."
"I think everybody likes to plan their moves ahead out. It's more of an instinct for me," Buzelis said. "If I see a defender give me a lane, I'm going to set them up with something, and I'll go to the basket. If their hands are down, I'm shooting it. It's pretty simple."
Interestingly, he's learned to slow down in transition even though Donovan preaches high-tempo basketball. That hesitation on the halfcourt gives him better reads forward and decision-making opportunities.
"It's just a little slower. I can make better decisions, and I'm not forcing and really pressing anything. I'm just playing off other guys. If I have a chance to attack, I'm going to attack," he said.
Off the court, Buzelis's maturity stands out even more. On media day, he asked coaches to push him harder—not exactly typical second-year player talk. All summer, he worked on his body and jump shot, played in the summer league, and even reached out to Derrick Rose for advice on approaching his sophomore season.
During the preseason finale, he became more vocal on defense, actively communicating and directing teammates—a sign of growing leadership.
"I'm a vocal person. But last year I didn't really know much. Now I can speak on something and see what players think. If we disagree, we're gonna figure it out. But I'm definitely trying to be more vocal defensively. It's defensively probably the most vocal," Buzelis said.
When asked if winning the Most Improved Player award remained his goal, Buzelis put team success first while maintaining his personal ambitions.
"That doesn't really matter to me. It's what I do on the court when I step on and impact winning," he said.
Everything about Buzelis's preseason—the numbers, the discipline, the maturity and the work ethic—suggests he's not just talking about becoming a star. He's walking the path.
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