Wesley Matthews as a starter

It's a very small sample size but Wesley has been impressive in his three games as the starting SG. With a more defined role and consistent minutes he's starting to mesh in Nate's offense:

21.3 PPG | 6.0 RPG | 1.6 STL | 58 FG% | 45 3PT%



SILVER LINING!​

 

I thought these last 2 were the only games he started. Maybe I forgot.

 

Great #'s regardless.

 

You're right. Brandon started the game in New Orleans but was atrocious -- 22 min. and 2 pts. I totally forgot he was even in that game. Completely invisible.

 

He played great in that Milwaukee game too!

 

So fix his averages for us FAMS!^

 

I just hope he doesn't press too much against the Jazz. I'm sensing a let-down game.

 

As a Blazer fan in the 2000s how can you not expect a let down of some kind?

 

I expect Matthews to have a crap game. Not because he'll press, but because Sloan knows his every weakness and will exploit them.

 

He just needs to stay out of foul trouble. I am sure he will play aggressive so he may pick up some cheap ones. Williams has scored at will against us the last few years. Wes physically matches up better than anyone else we have had since Deron has been in the leauge. I am hoping practicing against him all last year gives him an advantage. Just stay out of foul trouble.

 

I don't. How did he perform when he returned to Milwaukee, where he played in front of his Marquette crowd?

I also don't think that Utah has the shot blocking in the middle to effect his game going to the rim. So that part of his game should be stronger.

 

Matthews these last few games really reminds me of Bonzi Wells when he was at his best. Bonzi had a post game Matthews doesn't have, and Matthews is a better three point shooter. But they both played this physical, fearlessly aggressive style. It wasn't terribly refined--he's the Anti-Roy in that respect. Just hard charging.

It'll be interesting to see what Nate decides to do if/when Roy is able to come back, even for limited minutes. Matthews' first two game as a starter matched or surpassed anything Roy has done this year. But Matthews as a bench guy has kind of sucked.

Funny to think Roy's new role might wind up being a Ginobili-esque super-sub. But if he can pull it off and if Matthews can keep up his current levels (and if Przybilla can come back 100%), man. We could go from having a dreadful bench to a really damned good one.

 

sloan will not be at the game saturday.

doesnt matter... fucking jazz own us

 

Not that it really changes much about the Utah staff knowing Wesley's weaknesses, but no Sloan tomorrow.

Utah__Jazz Utah Jazz
Sloan to miss the next two Jazz games: Salt Lake City, UT (Sports Network) – Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan wi... http://nxy.in/x9lpx

 

I'm kind of expecting the opposite. I'm expecting the Jazz players to look at him as a complementary guy. Good, but wasn't worth re-signing. Mostly thank god he ain't Brandon Roy. I'm sure the Utah coaching staff doesn't feel that way, but the coaches aren't the ones lacing 'em up.

This game matters a lot more to Matthews than anybody else. Utah told him he wasn't worth the money. Yet a 34 year old Raja Bell somehow was. Just like people have told Matthews over and over again that he isn't good enough. Yet here he is, charging hard at the rim or taking every three pointer with the intention of proving everyone wrong.

I'm looking for a huge game from him. Especially since he knows all of Deron's tricks after a year of going at him in practice.

 

We beat Utah and Wes let's um know the mistake they made letting him go... We owe UTAH, i see a great game for Sat!

 

Maybe a few similarities. (Same type body type) But I don't remember Bonzi trying too hard on defense. And he was much "craftier" with the ball.

 

if we could go 9-5 through this rough stretch.....

and get roy back + joel.... thats not bad at all

 

^C'Mon man! Really? That's Brandon Roy, our leader, our go to guy. Arguably up until 5 days ago, the 2nd best 2 guard in the NBA.