Wesley Matthews Was Terrible Tonight

So when does Milwaukee come to town?

 

Clearly Wes is struggling. Perhaps he's pressing, perhaps he's trying to fit in. I think he'll get it by January. Other than LMA, I don't think there's anyone really lighting it up.

 

He hasn't been good so far, that's for sure

 

Most of the team is struggling at least somewhat. Matthews is struggling the worst though.

 

I didn't watch the game tonight but I suspect there are a couple of factors at play here. 1) He's pressing trying to live up to his contract, that's understandable and you would hope that with time he'll get more comfortable and 2) think of how many players look great in a Sloan offense only to fall a little flat when they leave it ... and the elephant in the room: Maybe there's a reason he went undrafted out of Marquette?

Time will tell.

 

I hope and think it's this. It seems like he is forcing his offense, when that just isn't his game. Granted our offense has looked like shit a lot of the time, but creating offense just isn't his strong suit. I don't think anyone thought it was.

 

Has to be either Larry Miller or even Paul Allen, right?

 

He's clearly got a case of the sophomore slumps.

 

I think he's only trying too hard to justify the contract.

 

New system, new role. Trying to fill a 6th man role after being a starter most the year last year playing on an offense that is predicated on cutters and pick and pop ball. Matthews is most effective offensively when he's cutting or slashing to the hoop, like when LaMarcus found him for that dime the other night when Maggette went for the double team. That was ideal Wes Matthews. Trying to initiate his offense from the top of key is not his deal. Getting paid like he is, has to be the most pressure he's had on himself as player, maybe ever.

He's not even close to being at the top of list of reasons why we've looked like shit lately. I'll let some of you guys pat yourselves on the back about Wes' poor play as of late though. Good for you.

 

Maybe it's the elevation!

 

I think eventually Matthews will turn things around, it's no guarantee, but when guys work as hard as he does and he has some fairly obvious talent -- shooting off of isolations and flaming bag passes not being part of his skillset -- they usually turn out OK.

 

Lot's of reason's that Matthews could be struggling. Mick brought up most of them, and he's right. It might not be his fault at all, but if he's not going to fit in with our "style" of offense, why sign him in the first place? Seems like another dart throw by our front office. Funny thing is, Matthews probably would fit great next to Miller

 

I don't get it MM.

When Bayless was here you thought the coach and sytem was messing him up. He goes to NO and then you say Bayless is playing bad, it has nothing to do with coaches or system.

Now that Matthews has come here and is struggling you say it might not be Matthews fault but instead the coach and the system.

I see a trend here. If they play bad on the Blazers or get few minutes it is because of the coach and system. If the player goes somewhere else and doesn't get minutes or play bad elsewhere, it is because of the player and not the coaches or system.

 

I think there's one key difference. Bayless struggled here and he's struggling in New Orleans. Matthews in Utah, was low volume, but very efficient. It's not out of bounds to look at what might be different, and there's no question that the Jazz have a much more structured system that is all about motion, cuts and getting people open for shots.