Bulls forward Matas Buzelis was at a loss for words when reporters asked him to evaluate his season.
‘‘I don’t really know,’’ Buzelis said after the Bulls’ loss Friday to the Magic. ‘‘What did I accomplish this year?’’
When he was told he became one of six players in NBA history to have made at least 150 three-pointers and blocked at least 100 shots in a season, he was taken aback — especially when players such as Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant were in that company.
‘‘That’s crazy, yeah,’’ Buzelis said, his mood changing with the new information. ‘‘It definitely means a lot to me, for sure. It shows the work that I put in [last] summer, during the season, the dedication, countless hours in the gym. And there’s just more. I want to accomplish more — and more for our team.’’
He likely will have to wait on both fronts because a badly sprained ankle suffered in the fourth quarter against the Magic means he is doubtful to play in the Bulls’ season finale Sunday in Dallas.
Still, it’s a season Buzelis, 21, should be proud of from an individual standpoint. He nearly doubled his scoring average from his rookie season, going from 8.6 points per game to 16.3; he was stronger defensively from a physicality standpoint and still has room to improve; and he became a legitimate top-10 rim protector.
Is he a definitive high-ceiling All-Star yet? No, but he has the highest ceiling of any player on the Bulls’ roster. And he has a great work ethic.
‘‘I know this summer I am going to work my butt off,’’ Buzelis said. ‘‘The whole summer, it’s going to be a hard summer for me. Getting my body stronger and sharpening pretty much everything. But mainly the body part, the shot, the handle, just everything. The main thing will be [adding] the strength.
‘‘I always want more for myself and the team. I definitely believe that I am [a foundation piece]. I know for a fact I am only going to get better. If they want me here and they believe in me, I’m here. I believe I am definitely a big piece, and I am going to continue to work and put my head down and grind to show it.’’
Those are all things the Bulls should be excited to hear. If only they had the key figures in place to hear them.
Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley were fired Monday, and coach Billy Donovan’s future is up in the air. Donovan is expected to meet with ownership next week to discuss the Bulls’ plans and whether he wants to be a part of them.
Buzelis discussed both topics in what was likely his exit interview with the media.
‘‘It was tough,’’ Buzelis said of the firings. ‘‘The organization is going to do what they feel is best, but it’s unfortunate because those guys drafted me, believed in me. They were like family to me. Those guys are going to be good. They’re great people. They work really hard.’’
As for Donovan, Buzelis had high praise for him and for the tough love he uses to coach him.
‘‘I want him to stay,’’ Buzelis said. ‘‘I’m riding with him forever.
‘‘I remember sitting down with Billy [last] summer and talking about how I don’t know how to win. It’s a team sport and hard to win basketball games, but you can be a winning player out there and do what it takes for the team to win.
‘‘I haven’t really been on a team where I have to pave the way with my teammates to lead them to victory in games. I told them I don’t know what to do, and they taught me. I wanted to show them this season I am a winning player and I have those characteristics.’’