The NBA Slam Dunk Contest was once the marquee occasion of All-Star Weekend.
It used to function high-flying superstars going in opposition to each other for the last word bragging rights.
Now, it’s principally rookies, G League standouts and end-of-rotation NBA gamers.
That’s why it’s not a lot of a shock to see that the Chicago Bulls will ship one among their first-year gamers to the occasion this 12 months.
“Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis has committed to be in the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, sources tell ESPN,” insider Shams Charania wrote on X.
Chicago Bulls rookie Matas Buzelis has dedicated to be within the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend, sources inform ESPN. Dunk contest will function two high-flying, first-year gamers in Buzelis and San Antonio’s Stephon Fort. pic.twitter.com/CZkflXDq1C
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 21, 2025
The 6-foot-10 ahead is athletic and aggressive, and this will likely be a pleasant alternative to showcase his expertise.
Head coach Billy Donovan has not often given him an extended leash, even after the Bulls chosen him with the No. 11 decide within the 2024 NBA Draft.
Buzelis has proven flashes of robust offensive play as a rookie.
He’s a fearless scorer who received’t hesitate to drive to the rim, and although he tends to be a little bit uncontrolled, that’s one thing that may very well be coached out of his sport with extra taking part in time.
Nonetheless, the Bulls have given extra taking part in time to Patrick Williams, whom they now need to commerce, and Zach LaVine, whom they’ve been attempting to commerce for greater than two seasons.
Maybe rocking the home with some emphatic poster dunks will likely be sufficient for Buzelis to seek out his method to the court docket extra typically this season.
The Bulls are unlikely to make the playoffs, so they need to give their promising first-year participant extra time and reps to develop and develop via his errors.
As for the Slam Dunk Contest, although it’s now not the extremely anticipated occasion it as soon as was, it does give gamers like Buzelis an opportunity to make a reputation for themselves.
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