It was just under five minutes.
To be exact, 4:57 very forgettable minutes for Matas Buzelis.
That was all the playing time he was given in the Friday loss to Boston. He made a basket in that first quarter stint but had several miscues to finish a minus-7 in the plus/minus category. Really all coach Billy Donovan needed to see from the rookie on that night.
Fast forward to Monday’s game against Brooklyn, and back in off the bench was Buzelis in his normal rotation spot. Much different results. Just under six minutes of work, eight points, but more importantly a plus-3 in plus/minus, thanks in part to playing more physically on both ends.
That’s development in Donovan’s eyes. Earning minutes and a spot in the rotation rather than it being handed out without accountability.
“I’ve never been a real big believer that you just sit there and take young guys, throw minutes at them and think they’re going to get better,” Donovan said. “Matas has had some really, really good moments. Boston wasn’t one of them. I think there has to be a responsibility and accountability that when you’re out there – not that you have to just make shots – follow the game plan, blocking out, things that you have control over, so when a young guy is struggling it’s not that I’m never going to play him again, but at that moment and time you try and do what is best for the team.”
That’s why Buzelis didn’t see the floor again in a back-and-forth contest with the defending champions. In Donovan’s eyes that was a night in which he needed to watch and learn.
The same can be said for second-year forward Julian Phillips and third-year wing Dalen Terry. The minutes are available from night to night but can also disappear.
“We do have to develop Julian, and we do have to develop Matas and Dalen,” Donovan said. “They need opportunities, they need to be out there, but they also need to be accountable to their minutes too.
“They have to understand that it’s not just free candy (where) every night you’re just pinned in for 25 minutes regardless of what you do. I just don’t know if guys can develop (like that).
“The development part for me is a big, big thing. It’s a whole list. Do they have a routine? Can they get themselves ready to play? Can they follow the game plan? Do they know how to get their rest? Do they know how to eat properly? Do they know how to practice properly? Do they know how to go in there and follow the scouting report? Listen, I’m fine with mistakes. Young players are always going to make mistakes, I get that. But there’s also got to be some responsibility there for them to the team.”
White out
Coby White missed his first game of the season on Monday, dealing with a sore left ankle that he rolled early on in the Boston loss, but played through.
Donovan didn’t think it would be a long setback for White, but because there was still soreness in the ankle and the Bulls have two days off before Thursday’s game in San Antonio, the decision was made to be cautious with the starting guard.
Road back
Patrick Williams (left foot) started to ramp up his rehab activity, according to Donovan, and started running and jumping to test the foot. There was still no definite timetable for his return but the fact that Williams was no longer experiencing any pain was a good sign.