Give And Go: Best calls, biggest mistakes from our top 100 players of 2014 list

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Boob-No-More, Jan 24, 2014.

  1. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

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    Give And Go: Best calls, biggest mistakes from our top 100 players of 2014 list

    By BEN GOLLIVER (and rob mahoney)

    This is the best part:

    "3. Which top 100 snub is now the most glaring?

    Golliver: Our list of potential omissions from September includes a number of good answers to this question: Magic guard Arron Afflalo, Wizards guard Bradley Beal and Warriors center Andrew Bogut, to name three. The best answer here, though, is a snubbed snub: Blazers guard Wesley Matthews. Yes, that’s right: We left Matthews out of the top 100 and didn’t include him on the snubs list either.

    I recall that he merited a brief discussion for inclusion during the offseason, but was passed over in part because he had cultivated a reputation as a reliable, but unspectacular, complementary guard. The first two months of Matthews’ season, however, have been nothing short of spectacular. He is second in the NBA with a 125 offensive rating, ranks third in true shooting percentage (63.1) and is enjoying career highs in scoring, rebounding, PER and the major shooting categories. He’s always been a committed defender, and that hasn’t changed this season, even with his scoring numbers on the rise.

    His three-point shooting (42 percent on 6.5 attempts per game) has been the foundation for his off-the-charts efficiency numbers and a huge factor in Portland’s top-ranked offense. But he’s also expanded his post game and done well to limit his turnovers. Finding new ways to be effective — and cutting out lots of the fat — has helped him post big numbers without requiring more touches, allowing the ball movement that drives Portland’s “flow” offense to remain intact.

    Matthews’ name has percolated in the discussion for Most Improved Player and he’s performed at about as close to an All-Star level as a relatively anonymous player can get. Even if his shooting numbers regress down the stretch of the season, Matthews should head into the 2014-15 season as a top-50ish candidate."

    BNM
     
  2. ponderguy

    ponderguy Member

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    I haven't gone through the list of guys so I can't say for sure but top 50 seems pretty high for Wes.
     
  3. BLAZINGGIANTS

    BLAZINGGIANTS Well-Known Member

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    For sure.

    Author: Ben Golliver
     
  4. PapaG

    PapaG Banned User BANNED

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    Depends on the criteria, I suppose. Wes in 38th in scoring, #3 in 3pt shots made, #3 in TS%. He's in the conversation as a Top 10 SG, too.

    He doesn't pass much or rebound well, but he's not asked to do those things.

    http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/p...-game/sort/avgPoints/position/shooting-guards
     
  5. ponderguy

    ponderguy Member

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    I'd say he's top 5 in SG but that position is so weak compared to PG or PF that it doesn't really mean that much.
     
  6. PapaG

    PapaG Banned User BANNED

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    I think Top 50 is a stretch for Wes, too, but his stats are in his favor for Top 75ish. 48% overall FG for a guy that takes 6 3pt a game, and 12 shots total, is very impressive.
     
  7. ponderguy

    ponderguy Member

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    yup somewhere in that range seems perfect. Nic would have a better case for top 50 than wes
     

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