The Chicago Bulls have been scuffling all season long and it has come to a head this January with them being 5-10 for the month.
Even though the Bulls lost to the Boston Celtics last night 122-100, there were some bright spots in the game.
Having the lineup finally be shuffled around really brought the best out of forwards Patrick Williams and rookie sensation Matas Buzelis who had an excellent game in their own right.
Also having guard Coby White back after his ankle injury helped too with Bulls guard Zach LaVine sideline for personal reasons.
The Chicago Bulls lineup change had its effect
The shuffling of their lineup seemed to bring out the best of the Bull’s young core of players. In particular, Williams who had another outstanding game being used in a reserved role for the second straight game.
In 30 minutes of action, Williams has 16 points, collected 7 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists shooting 54.5% from the field and was perfect from the line. This month had been a struggle for Williams has only averaged 7.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 26.2 minutes for a total of 15 games played this month.
Buzelis the Bull’s 20-year-old rookie sensation had another solid game with him being used as the Bull’s sixth man for the second straight game. In 22 minutes of action, Buzelis has 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, shot 66.7% from the field, 50% from three, and was also perfect from the free throw line.
In the scrum with the media after the game, Buzelis was asked if he felt he needed more minutes against better competition to grow and he responded with an interesting answer which was captured by Bulls on CHSN.
“How am I going to get better? You know, if I’m not playing against the best guys.”
"How am I going to get better? You know, if I'm not playing against the best guys."
Matas Buzelis on his development ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kDCmzrWnsu
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) January 30, 2025
The more Buzelis plays the more he can test his abilities against the top players in the league and will further help his development. With being the Bull’s sixth man for the foreseeable future Buzelis should get more of those opportunities. Bulls point guard Coby White even had to heap praise on the young rookie for how impressive his game has been which K.C. Johnson reported via his X account.
“Asked Coby White what he sees from Matas Buzelis in practices that we don’t see
White: “He’s starting to take on challenges more. In the stay-ready run yesterday, he wanted to guard me. He’s tremendously talented.”
Asked Coby White what he sees from Matas Buzelis in practices that we don’t see
White: “He’s starting to take on challenges more. In the stay-ready run yesterday, he wanted to guard me. He’s tremendously talented.”
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 30, 2025
The return of White
White finally returned to the Bulls lineup after his brief four-game absence after dealing with an ankle injury. White has a great game against the Celtics scoring 16 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists in 31 minutes of action.
Having White back in the Bulls lineup was important from the standpoint of having another scoring option on the floor with LaVine out for the time being. While LaVine is out and possibly not back with the Bulls star being the center of trade talks, having White healthy and in the lineup is crucial for the Bulls to have success.
Moving on from here
This will appear to be the Bulls lineup moving forward with Williams being used in a reserve role and in the closing minutes of ball games with Buzelis being the sixth man.
Having White back is valuable being he adds another scorer on the court as well as another facilitator to pair with Josh Giddey.
Depending on what the Bulls do at the trade deadline having LaVine come back into this new and improved Bulls lineup will further add to their chances of staying in and winning ballgames.
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