Matas Buzelis - 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

[timvp]

https://www.spurstalk.com/matas-buzelis-spurs-2024-nba-draft/

[Uriel]

He’s the top wing on my board not named Risacher. Assuming Risacher is off the board, my dream semi-realistic draft would be Castle at 4 and Buzelis at 8.

[tbdog]

When I saw the scouting report for Matas, I instantly thought he'll be the spurs target. Yet ST weren't mentioning him as much as the other prospects. He just screams the highest upside of all players of the draft. Shot blocking 4, that shoots 3s and can pass. Every team would want that.


So why isn't he highly sort after. Not even top 3? Why was Jabari Smith runoured to go 1 overall to the magic and not Matas for the Hawks?

[cutewizard]

Buzelissssssssssssss rules hehehehe

[cutewizard]

can he play!?? hmmmmm

[scottspurs]

This is my dude for this draft! Until the spurs sniff the playoffs I want them to draft the players with the highest potential. To me this is that guy for this draft.

[SpursFan86]

So why isn't he highly sort after. Not even top 3? Why was Jabari Smith runoured to go 1 overall to the magic and not Matas for the Hawks?

Jabari Smith was an All-American and Freshman of the Year during a highly productive season at Auburn. Buzelis had a pretty underwhelming year with Ignite.

[CGD]

Jabari Smith was an All-American and Freshman of the Year during a highly productive season at Auburn. Buzelis had a pretty underwhelming year with Ignite.

In my view, Jabari is the IDEAL player in the front court between Vic and Jeremy. Elite shooter, excellent defense and doesn’t need the ball to be impactful.

Not sure that’s Buz right now, but if they see the shooting potential he can be a reasonable facsimile. ZR is probably the closest to Jabari, but neither is really in the same stratosphere right now.

[scottspurs]

I just saw that the Wizards did a full court press elaborate welcoming for Buzelis during his workout. Makes a lot of sense for them to draft him. He was so impressed he posted it on his Instagram. This Draft is going to be wild.

[SpursDynasty85]

I never did a lot of research on Matas. But on this broad it seemed like his character and work ethic was in question. According to this article, both are great! I could definitely see Spurs take him because he makes a pretty good fit. It may even allow Keldon to come back to the starting line up eventually with Matas as the PF.

[scott]

Buzelis sits atop my big board, but he's nowhere near the prospect Jabari was. I'm optimistic that Buzelis does have an above average shooting touch in him, and I do see his floor higher than some give him credit for... but if the shot never comes around he won't live up to a Top 5 pick... but you can say something similar for this entire class.

[scott]

I never did a lot of research on Matas. But on this broad it seemed like his character and work ethic was in question. According to this article, both are great! I could definitely see Spurs take him because he makes a pretty good fit. It may even allow Keldon to come back to the starting line up eventually with Matas as the PF.

This seems to be something that posters who don't like Matas read once and repeat as gospel. These kind of reports have never really been substantiated and in fact most reports say the opposite. Some posters on ST.com just have a weird agenda with convincing everyone their prognostications of the future MUST be the right ones, as opposed to the obvious fact that we're all just making best guesses of uncertain outcomes.

[ChumpDumper]

Yeah if the Spurs think he can be(come) an SF with all that entails, picking him makes a lot of sense.

[ginobilized]

Has he worked out with the Spurs? I haven't seen it listed if he has. Is this CIA Pop or are the Spurs not interested?

[scott]

One fantasy lineup for the Spurs I envision, is this ultra-long lineup with switch-ability across the board.

Dejounte Murray (acquired via trade)
Devin Vassell
Lauri Markkanen (acquired via trade or FA)
Matas Buzelis
Victor Wembanyama

Your entire lineup would have wingspans of 6'10"+, with DJM and Devin able to routinely switch on guards, and the entire front court would have the ability to defend 3-5 (after Matas matures into his body).

[SpursFan86]

People on this board have a hard-on for wanting to make decisions based on narratives around “attitude” and “character”. Our recent picks like Branham, Wesley, and of course Primo are great evidence of how well that’s worked. GG Jackson was a guy last year who got torn apart pre-draft last year for his attitude and he just had a super impressive rookie year as the youngest guy in the league.

Obviously work ethic and attitude matter, but these things are often brought up here based on random BS. A black player will post himself with jewelry and people here will say he’s not Spurs material because he has attitude issues :lmao Or someone will say one thing in an interview and suddenly people here think that’s the sole determinant of their character.

[Mr. Body]

People on this board have a hard-on for wanting to make decisions based on narratives around “attitude” and “character”. Our recent picks like Branham, Wesley, and of course Primo are great evidence of how well that’s worked. GG Jackson was a guy last year who got torn apart pre-draft last year for his attitude and he just had a super impressive rookie year as the youngest guy in the league.

Obviously work ethic and attitude matter, but these things are often brought up here based on random BS. A black player will post himself with jewelry and people here will say he’s not Spurs material because he has attitude issues :lmao Or someone will say one thing in an interview and suddenly people here think that’s the sole determinant of their character.

GG Jackson has already been suspended by the Grizzlies. He called out his coach on Instagram in college. His teammates hated him. The team was far better without him this year than when he was there. He was a dick during workouts with teams. What happened this year is a miracle that has more to do with Taylor Jenkins than Jackson himself and I would be less than surprised to see Jackson out of the league before long judging by his history.

That aside, your take that "bad character makes good players and we should go for bad character" is the definition of a logical fallacy.

[manufor3]

I'll go against the grain a bit here and say I'm way out on Buzelis. I'm not a believer in the shot at all, his senior year in high school is a major outlier from everything else we saw from him on the prep circuit and Ignite. Like LJ mentioned, if the shot doesn't come around he's just competing with minutes with Sochan, but Jeremy is higher level as a connector and defender.

The wings in this draft honestly just make me sad. I wouldn't take any of them with our top ten picks and would rather take a specialist like Baylor Scheierman in the second round.

[SpursFan86]

GG Jackson has already been suspended by the Grizzlies. He called out his coach on Instagram in college. His teammates hated him. The team was far better without him this year than when he was there. He was a dick during workouts with teams. What happened this year is a miracle that has more to do with Taylor Jenkins than Jackson himself and I would be less than surprised to see Jackson out of the league before long judging by his history.

That aside, your take that "bad character makes good players and we should go for bad character" is the definition of a logical fallacy.

Please show me where I said “bad characters makes good players” :lol It’s more so:

1) Just because a player might have shown some negative personality trait at some point as an 18/19 year-old doesn’t mean that should automatically disqualify him from being a target. It also shouldn’t be the biggest deciding factor in a choice in the majority of cases (as with anything in life, no shit there are exceptions to this).

2) Most importantly, often on this forum people choose to judge character on ridiculous things. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen people on this board act like they’re uninterested in a player because of “attitude”, and then their example of the poor attitude is something absurd that isn’t a big deal at all.

Again, my argument isn’t that character shouldn’t be a factor or is irrelevant. It’s that it’s a very hard thing to judge (especially from the perspective of random armchair analysts on the internet), people change over time (especially teenagers), and the criteria for “good” or “bad” attitude on this forum is usually laughable.

[DPG21920]

Ive gotten to the point where Ive talked myself big time into any of the Risacher, Buzelis, Cody, Holland wings. I would be excited if SA gets any one of them but with regards to Buzelis especially against Risacher, his athletic profile is very hard to ignore comparatively

[Joseph Kony]

idk what it is but this guy just screams bust to me

[Mr. Body]

I'll go against the grain a bit here and say I'm way out on Buzelis. I'm not a believer in the shot at all, his senior year in high school is a major outlier from everything else we saw from him on the prep circuit and Ignite. Like LJ mentioned, if the shot doesn't come around he's just competing with minutes with Sochan, but Jeremy is higher level as a connector and defender.

The wings in this draft honestly just make me sad. I wouldn't take any of them with our top ten picks and would rather take a specialist like Baylor Scheierman in the second round.

Agree, the wings are really rough. Cody Williams is another player who historically has not been a good shooter from deep. I don't believe in Risacher beyond the possibility of role-playerdom. This is why I've gone nearly full-guard in my interests and why I keep mentioning Furphy.

[Mr. Body]

Please show me where I said “bad characters makes good players” :lol It’s more so:

1) Just because a player might have shown some negative personality trait at some point as an 18/19 year-old doesn’t mean that should automatically disqualify him from being a target. It also shouldn’t be the biggest deciding factor in a choice in the majority of cases (as with anything in life, no shit there are exceptions to this).

2) Most importantly, often on this forum people choose to judge character on ridiculous things. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen people on this board act like they’re uninterested in a player because of “attitude”, and then their example of the poor attitude is something absurd that isn’t a big deal at all.

Again, my argument isn’t that character shouldn’t be a factor or is irrelevant. It’s that it’s a very hard thing to judge (especially from the perspective of random armchair analysts on the internet), people change over time (especially teenagers), and the criteria for “good” or “bad” attitude on this forum is usually laughable.

Sounds like an overreaction from two points of information. One is Primo, and literally no one could have predicted what happened. The other is GG Jackson, where so many are WILDLY overreacting to the situation. There's like a one in a million chance he'd become even remotely playable after what he did. He was practically anti-social. And I'm not convinced he can keep it up.

So... what's the point being made here? You seem to be saying to draft more GG Jacksons when there's like just one chance it ever pans out. This is like people posting players with the same stats as Giannis pre-draft and claiming that's a reason to draft more of them. One time events are one time events. Trying to find patterns isn't going to work.

And then people ding Branham and Wesley while failing to say who was available in that draft at that point.

[spurraider21]

he seems like a tweener. not fleet footed enough to survive defending out on the perimeter, and not strong enough to handle most 4's or the occasional switch onto a small 5 inside

ive mostly seen him as a 4 as a prospect, somewhat redundant with Sochan, which is why i havent been particularly enthused by him. id like him at 8, but i dont know about 4. then again, given how high i am on dillingham, if we took him dilly at 8, it would make taking a lower-ranked player at 4 more palatable

if he could thrive defending on the perimeter like Wagner, for instance, would make him way more appealing

[heyheymymy]

Guess I gotta warm up to Buzelis but he is on my holy triumvirate of NO PLEASE GOD NO don't pick these 3 players for SA:

Holland, Topic and Buzelis in that order are 3 of my DO NOT WANT prospects but I will admit that of those three Buzelis is the only one I don't like where I feel like I'm "getting it wrong" on this one.

It's not attitude for me, haven't really seen anything personality wise I don't like from Buzelis. I loved that Buzelis challenged Risacher, that's just tenacity. That bodes well going forward.

I simply don't believe in Buzelis. I don't buy anything about him. Again, I sense this is a fallacy of mine and Buzelis proves me wrong or whatever but something about him, just a hunch, he doesn't have that IT factor for me like other prospects do and I don't know why.

[exstatic]

GG Jackson has already been suspended by the Grizzlies. He called out his coach on Instagram in college. His teammates hated him. The team was far better without him this year than when he was there. He was a dick during workouts with teams. What happened this year is a miracle that has more to do with Taylor Jenkins than Jackson himself and I would be less than surprised to see Jackson out of the league before long judging by his history.

That aside, your take that "bad character makes good players and we should go for bad character" is the definition of a logical fallacy.

The miracle was that nearly everyone on that roster was injured or stupid (Ja). You do actually want character guys if your plan is for a championship. Guys like GG tend to crack under pressure because they’re all hat and no cattle, so to speak. Someone was pimping DLo as an option this summer, saying he wasn’t showing his dumb side this year, and I’m thinking, “He will, and probably at a bad time”.

[BatManu20]

Finally a Matas thread lol. This kid was projected as the #1 overall pick in this draft last June. Then he went to the G League ignite where prospects go to die and had a pretty underwhelming season where his 3-point shooting fell off a cliff. The physical tools are there to be a really solid wing/big hybrid Swiss-army knife type player who can do a little bit of everything offensively and defend at a high level. He's better as a weak-side defender right now, but he's got the size and length to turn himself into a solid 1-on-1 defender with the right coaching despite a lack of foot speed imo.

Similar to Castle, the question is whether or not the shooting will ever come around. Much like Castle, Matas shot the 3-ball significantly better his last year in high school before shooting only 27% from 3 this season on 3.5 attempts per game. His form on his jumper looks pretty clean and fluid without any weird hitches or significant mechanical issues, which is good. Shot only 68% from the foul line though which is a bit of a concern.

Hard to tell if playing for the Ignite just really hindered him as a player as it has for other prospects and he's closer to the prospect he was coming out of high school, or if this season gave us a closer glimpse into the player he's going to be long term.

Player comp: Franz Wagner



gAdgYWUo1cY

[exstatic]

Finally a Matas thread lol. This kid was projected as the #1 overall pick in this draft last June. Then he went to the G League ignite where prospects go to die and had a pretty underwhelming season where his 3-point shooting fell off a cliff. The physical tools are there to be a really solid wing/big hybrid Swiss-army knife type player who can do a little bit of everything offensively and defend at a high level. He's better as a weak-side defender right now, but he's got the size and length to turn himself into a solid 1-on-1 defender with the right coaching despite a lack of foot speed imo.

Similar to Castle, the question is whether or not the shooting will ever come around. Much like Castle, Matas shot the 3-ball significantly better his last year in high school before shooting only 27% from 3 this season on 3.5 attempts per game. His form on his jumper looks pretty clean and fluid without any weird hitches or significant mechanical issues, which is good. Shot only 68% from the foul line though which is a bit of a concern.

Hard to tell if playing for the Ignite just really hindered him as a player as it has for other prospects and he's closer to the prospect he was coming out of high school, or if this season gave us a closer glimpse into the player he's going to be long term.

Player comp: Franz Wagner



gAdgYWUo1cY

That’s a terrible comp, and he’s not even as well rounded as Castle.

[Mr. Body]

Seems like a lot of smoke about Buzelis rising.

I... liked him watching the couple Ignite games. Like, you see a mobile and pretty active player. Good size and mobility. Just, poking around more I'm just like, alright? I had him in my four or five dudes I'd like in this lottery, back before the draw and cementing the second pick. I don't think I've changed. Don't have character concerns with him at all, seems like a dorky kid who acts his age. Calling for a duel with Risacher was cringe, but okay. I don't know if he realizes what it takes at the next level yet.

In this draft he's a perfectly okay pick. I'm probably with those who doubt his upside. I'd have to think about whether I'd take him or Risacher if it was between them. Probably Risacher.

[exstatic]

Seems like a lot of smoke about Buzelis rising.

I... liked him watching the couple Ignite games. Like, you see a mobile and pretty active player. Good size and mobility. Just, poking around more I'm just like, alright? I had him in my four or five dudes I'd like in this lottery, back before the draw and cementing the second pick. I don't think I've changed. Don't have character concerns with him at all, seems like a dorky kid who acts his age. Calling for a duel with Risacher was cringe, but okay. I don't know if he realizes what it takes at the next level yet.

In this draft he's a perfectly okay pick. I'm probably with those who doubt his upside. I'd have to think about whether I'd take him or Risacher if it was between them. Probably Risacher.

What smoke? It was stated that SA has worked out ZERO Ignite players, and Matas is in that group.

[Mr. Body]

What smoke? It was stated that SA has worked out ZERO Ignite players, and Matas is in that group.

Smoke in general. I didn't mean about the Spurs.

[mo7888]

Buzelis sits atop my big board, but he's nowhere near the prospect Jabari was. I'm optimistic that Buzelis does have an above average shooting touch in him, and I do see his floor higher than some give him credit for... but if the shot never comes around he won't live up to a Top 5 pick... but you can say something similar for this entire class.

He's been top 2 with Risacher on my Spurs board for quite some time. I go back and forth on whether to have him #1 or #2. I think Risacher has a more defined future, but Matas has more upside.

[Splits]

https://i.giphy.com/8vUEXZA2me7vnuUvrs.webp

[Splits]

idk what it is but this guy just screams bust to me

Because he will bust. "his shot looks good" yet he was 26% from 3 and under 70% from the line? Please gmafb.

He is #1 on my big board.... to avoid drafting. Just in front of Salaun.

[BatManu20]

That’s a terrible comp, and he’s not even as well rounded as Castle.

How is that a terrible comp..? That's literally his most popular player comp among draft websites :lol. They have almost identical measurables and both are Swiss-army type 3-4 hybrids who can do a little bit of everything but don't excel at any one thing. Both have questions regarding their shooting. Wagner is a better passer and playmaker, but there's definitely similarities in their games and physical profiles. It's definitely not a "terrible" comp.

And I never said Castle wasn't a more well-rounded player. I said they both shot better in HS than they did in their respective leagues this season. I've been pretty vocal on here about how much I like Castle. He's the guy I want at 4.

[BatManu20]

That hair though.

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[BatManu20]

1803193027743060166

[BatManu20]

1801330371117859316

[BatManu20]

1801382555104723288

[BatManu20]

1795484237703037331

[BatManu20]

1803372627735494861

[BatManu20]

1800189291353792593

[exstatic]

How is that a terrible comp..? That's literally his most popular player comp among draft websites :lol. They have almost identical measurables and both are Swiss-army type 3-4 hybrids who can do a little bit of everything but don't excel at any one thing. Both have questions regarding their shooting. Wagner is a better passer and playmaker, but there's definitely similarities in their games and physical profiles. It's definitely not a "terrible" comp.

And I never said Castle wasn't a more well-rounded player. I said they both shot better in HS than they did in their respective leagues this season. I've been pretty vocal on here about how much I like Castle. He's the guy I want at 4.

Wagner was a deadeye shooter, both FTs and 3 ball for two years playing a higher level of ball, and was a high level connector and defender who played NCAA ball for two years, and was still almost the same age as Matas is now. It’s a lazy comp, because the only things the have in common are that they’re European, tall, and white. If you don’t believe me, run the player comp on TaT.

[spurraider21]

Wagner was a deadeye shooter, both FTs and 3 ball for two years playing a higher level of ball, and was a high level connector and defender who played NCAA ball for two years, and was still almost the same age as Matas is now. It’s a lazy comp, because the only things the have in common are that they’re European, tall, and white. If you don’t believe me, run the player comp on TaT.
im going to start a petition to ban the TaT player profiles for use on spurstalk

[exstatic]

im going to start a petition to ban the TaT player profiles for use on spurstalk

The comps tool is useful. Playing at a higher level, Wagner still has almost all of the green dots. His net rating was almost +30.

[spurraider21]

The comps tool is useful. Playing at a higher level, Wagner still has almost all of the green dots. His net rating was almost +30.
how the dots are assigned isnt very interesting to me. they're not based on evaluations or scouting. they plug in box score stats and a computer spits out how many dots per category they get. its a way to compare their pre-nba statistical production, not their nba projections

they dont even put any weight into their own green and red dots. risacher's only green category is draft age, and then its a lot of red. yet on their big board of actual ranking of prospects, they have him #1

[exstatic]

how the dots are assigned isnt very interesting to me. they're not based on evaluations or scouting. they plug in box score stats and a computer spits out how many dots per category they get. its a way to compare their pre-nba statistical production, not their nba projections

they dont even put that much weight into their own green and red dots. risacher's only green category is draft age, and then its a lot of red. yet on their big board of actually ranking prospects, they have him #1

No, I’m talking about the comp dots. The comp tool runs all of the counting and analytics stats side by side, and the better player in any category gets the green dot. Wagner smoked him on all but a few of the counting stats.

[spurraider21]

No, I’m talking about the comp dots. The comp tool runs all of the counting and analytics stats side by side, and the better player in any category gets the green dot. Wagner smoked him on all but a few of the counting stats.
same story. you are just spitting out numbers of pre-nba production and comparing them. its not a projection.

many of the advanced stats they use, like off rating, def rating, and all the win share stats, are largely influenced by the team they play on. a player like buzelis on a miserable team that doesnt rack up wins wont have opportunities to earn win shares. a player like buzelis on a team regularly outclassed by its competition will be more likely to wind up with poor off/def ratings. always remember carlos boozer having a great defensive rating when on Thibs bulls

[Mr. Body]

How is that a terrible comp..? That's literally his most popular player comp among draft websites :lol. They have almost identical measurables and both are Swiss-army type 3-4 hybrids who can do a little bit of everything but don't excel at any one thing. Both have questions regarding their shooting. Wagner is a better passer and playmaker, but there's definitely similarities in their games and physical profiles. It's definitely not a "terrible" comp.

And I never said Castle wasn't a more well-rounded player. I said they both shot better in HS than they did in their respective leagues this season. I've been pretty vocal on here about how much I like Castle. He's the guy I want at 4.

Are people comparing Castle to Buzelis much? Maybe in terms of shooting. In terms of everything else, they're very different players. There may be some confusion about whether Castle is a wing (he's not), which means they play and use similar areas of the court, but they don't.

Castle is at worst a combo guard who can use picks and other actions to get free and see the floor, he's an exceptional on-ball perimeter defender, and he has shown to understand the game at a high level in terms of rotations, cuts, variations in the playbook, and how to use them. He's much more of a playmaker than Buzelis is.

Buzelis is a wing who leans more toward a PF who operates largely from the sides of the court or the post. He's a great straight-line driver (better than Castle), good shotblocker, good rebounder, not a good playmaker, will not be able to use picks or actions to get free and see the floor, etc. Not to ding him, but he played in a shit league with no coaching on a bad team.

They're completely different players.

[AFBlue]

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.

[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 identity 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 attitude 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.

1802776103746240563
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 attitude...get this guy - he is cocky 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 dick bitch

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]

1805590843031535945

[Mr. Body]

1805590843031535945

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 attitude...get this guy - he is cocky and knows he is going to be a star -

buzelis #4

dilly #8

done

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

[Spurs Homer]

Samanic was cocky, 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

[BatManu20]

Wait I just realized that this clown blocked me on Twitter.. :lmao. Not kidding. Just did a quick search using my username and his name to see if I had ever even mentioned him, and one tweet from 2 months ago popped up where in response to someone else's tweet, I said Risacher was a better prospect than him and a better fit for the Spurs... That's literally all I said lmao. This dude really is insecure about Risacher :lmao. I've never tweeted at him or in response to anything he's posted ever. Meaning this thin-skinned twat searched his name on Twitter, randomly saw my tweet while scrolling, and went out of his way to block me. What a pussy tbh :lol.

This changes everything tbh. I'm completely out on Buzelis, with either pick. He, in fact, does not have that dawg in him tbh.

[Mr. Body]

Kevin Durant vibes

[itzsoweezee]

1805590843031535945

Imagine bragging like this after playing like trash in the G league of all places

[The Truth #6]

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

I just checked a variety of the mock drafts today and he mostly is linked to the Pistons at number 5, one pick after us, so that doesn't seem that shocking to me at least. As for his personality, I go back and forth with it. I think the thing with Zacharie is that he is is mostly considered the number one pick and I think Buzelis wants to be considered for that as well. Seems fairly silly and childish more than any huge twisted character flaw, like Luka had. Also, he seems very well coached in these interviews so he says a lot of the right things. That's better than saying the wrong things of course. But he's kind of goofy at the same time so I don't take it as anything sociopathic like Primo. In the end it's all about his talent and work ethic and if the Spurs see him being a fit, which is what I mean by fit.

I think he is in for a big adjustment in the NBA despite already being in the G League but that's typical for rookies.

I'm ok with him. Not my ownly player. More than anything, I think the Spurs will pick him. Fits their recent trends.

[Pauleta14]

I just checked a variety of the mock drafts today and he mostly is linked to the Pistons at number 5, one pick after us, so that doesn't seem that shocking to me at least. As for his personality, I go back and forth with it. I think the thing with Zacharie is that he is is mostly considered the number one pick and I think Buzelis wants to be considered for that as well. Seems fairly silly and childish more than any huge twisted character flaw, like Luka had. Also, he seems very well coached in these interviews so he says a lot of the right things. That's better than saying the wrong things of course. But he's kind of goofy at the same time so I don't take it as anything sociopathic like Primo. In the end it's all about his talent and work ethic and if the Spurs see him being a fit, which is what I mean by fit.

I think he is in for a big adjustment in the NBA despite already being in the G League but that's typical for rookies.

I'm ok with him. Not my ownly player. More than anything, I think the Spurs will pick him. Fits their recent trends.

I have no pb with players showing confidence, it can even be a decisive sign in some situations, but it has to make sense, you have to have done something to act that way. Not only he didn't do anything but he had a really bad season where he's showed very little fighting spirit, almost lazy at times, has more TOs than Ast and can't shoot the 3...

Hence the "red flag"

The Risacher thing is just.... weird tbh, doesn't make any sense, ZR played SEVENTY games then had to go to the combine in Italie then the US for private workouts.

At best some idiots will thing "this guy has balls! look how brave he is.." :lol

It just can't be the Spurs

[TD 21]

I have no pb with players showing confidence, it can even be a decisive sign in some situations, but it has to make sense, you have to have done something to act that way. Not only he didn't do anything but he had a really bad season where he's showed very little fighting spirit, almost lazy at times, has more TOs than Ast and can't shoot the 3...

Hence the "red flag"

The Risacher thing is just.... weird tbh, doesn't make any sense, ZR played SEVENTY games then had to go to the combine in Italie then the US for private workouts.

At best some idiots will thing "this guy has balls! look how brave he is.." :lol

It just can't be the Spurs

Imagine how he'd be perceived if he were a different complexion.

[Pauleta14]

Imagine how he'd be perceived if he were a different complexion.

I'd say the same. Read again the 1st sentense of my post

[The Truth #6]

Imagine how he'd be perceived if he were a different complexion.
Could go different ways. Might be better accepted.

[BackHome]

I will be honest the only two guys I don't want are Matas and Salaun

[offset formation]

I will be honest the only two guys I don't want are Matas and Salaun

Funny because those are the two guys I want.

Honestly, I'm almost more excited going into this draft, despite the subpar nature of the collective talent, simply because we collectively as Spur fans have no favorites nor idea as to who we will take. Last year was a given and we all spooged ourselves. This year is such a toss up. Do we trade up. Do we trade back. Do we trade one pick. Are we doing draft day trades to bring in a solid vet? Are we doing draft and stashes. Are we going PG, Wing, or Forward. Will other teams trade up. Etc. Etc. Etc.

All in all I'm fucking psyched.

By tomorrow night though we might have 3 or 4 more Spurs or some draft day trades or some trades. Good times. Good luck with your wish list

[BackHome]

Yeah tomorrow is going to be crazy think we are going to see a lot of trades will shall see what the Spurs do. This draft is different as far as talent but who ever we pick I will support

[Duncan2177]

Yeah tomorrow is going to be crazy think we are going to see a lot of trades will shall see what the Spurs do. This draft is different as far as talent but who ever we pick I will support

As long it's not Salaun at 4 and Carter at 8. :lol

[timvp]

Wait I just realized that this clown blocked me on Twitter.. :lmao. Not kidding. Just did a quick search using my username and his name to see if I had ever even mentioned him, and one tweet from 2 months ago popped up where in response to someone else's tweet, I said Risacher was a better prospect than him and a better fit for the Spurs... That's literally all I said lmao. This dude really is insecure about Risacher :lmao. I've never tweeted at him or in response to anything he's posted ever. Meaning this thin-skinned twat searched his name on Twitter, randomly saw my tweet while scrolling, and went out of his way to block me. What a pussy tbh :lol.

This changes everything tbh. I'm completely out on Buzelis, with either pick. He, in fact, does not have that dawg in him tbh.

:lol

[scottspurs]

Wait I just realized that this clown blocked me on Twitter.. :lmao. Not kidding. Just did a quick search using my username and his name to see if I had ever even mentioned him, and one tweet from 2 months ago popped up where in response to someone else's tweet, I said Risacher was a better prospect than him and a better fit for the Spurs... That's literally all I said lmao. This dude really is insecure about Risacher :lmao. I've never tweeted at him or in response to anything he's posted ever. Meaning this thin-skinned twat searched his name on Twitter, randomly saw my tweet while scrolling, and went out of his way to block me. What a pussy tbh :lol.

This changes everything tbh. I'm completely out on Buzelis, with either pick. He, in fact, does not have that dawg in him tbh.
This will be epic when the spurs pick him in 2 hours!