Most of the fanbase thought the Chicago Bulls had their best NBA draft selection of the decade when they grabbed Matas Buzelis with the 11th overall pick. After a slow start to his rookie campaign that mostly involved him learning how to play defense without fouling and when to be aggressive on offense, he's turned on the jets in March. In 2023, many had the 19-year-old slated as a surefire number-one overall pick, but he was projected to be in the top ten when the draft rolled around. Nonetheless, he slipped to the 11th spot, and Arturas Karnisovas did not let him fall further. This month, he's posting 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per outing while playing 26.1 minutes per night, all three of his highest figures for any month this year. His latest performances, including games of 31 and 28 points in the last week, have earned a new player comparison. Who is he being stacked up with, and is the comparison valid?
Dirk Nowitzki 2.0
John Sabine, formerly with NBCSChicago, had a bold take when talking about Chicago's 19-year-old youngster. He started by saying that Buzelis boasts a rare athleticism and ability to maneuver with speed and finesse, but took it a step further by mentioning a Hall of Famer as a potential look-alike. Dirk Nowitzki is one of the best power forwards, scoring big men of all time. His signature fade is featured on a statue outside of the Dallas Mavericks arena, and he's an NBA Champion and former league MVP. Having the two in the same sentence is exceptionally high praise for anyone just 72 games into their career.
Matas Buzelis vs Mavs:
— CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) March 30, 2025
28 points
9 rebounds
6 assists
Our Mavs historian friend @jsabine214 sees...glimpses of young Dirk Nowitzki 👀 pic.twitter.com/mEcYrJSUeT
Pushing For All-NBA Rookie Team
A few months into his rookie campaign, no one would have guessed that Buzelis would have been mentioned on an All-NBA Rookie team or be in contention for the Rookie of the Year honor. After the trade deadline and the declaration that the franchise would be pushing the development of their young assets, he's found a new gear. Buzelis currently has the sixth-best betting odds to win the ROY award, and while he most likely will not win the trophy, he'll indeed be named to one of the two All-NBA Rookie squads.
Matas Buzelis has averaged the 3rd-most PPG among rookies (14.1) since Jan. 29. He's also posting a 59.7 FG% & 42.4 3P%.
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) February 18, 2025
His offensive versatility has jumped off the screen. Most notably, he has increasingly trusted his handles and has flashed some excellent finishing skills. pic.twitter.com/pzFfKwKvnM
Not only is Chicago's newcomer showing traits of Nowitzki and earning his way onto an All-NBA Rookie team, but his efforts are helping fuel the team's recent success. Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Buzelis have become the young three-headed monster nightly and have manufactured nine wins in 12 tries.
Is saying Buzelis looks and plays like Nowitzki too far too soon, or does the youngster have a hall-of-fame career ahead of him?
