Hold onto your shorts!

[Minstrel]

The Blazers have a chance to get a starting-level player to put into the rotation just for Paul Allen money.

Are you just defining him as "starting-level" because he did start for Utah, or do you feel he's that quality of player (counting both production and defense)? If so, why? Genuine question. I'd really like to like this move.

 

[BGrantFan]

I don't think it is the worse signing but even if it is it's PA money. Just give him a chance I think he is going to be a very good player for us. I'm still not sure the Jazz won't match. It is looking at lot better with the full MLE and front loader contract. I think the Jazz would match a full MLE without the front loaded and without having to pay 9.2m in the first 7 days.

I think it's a bad offer because I don't think Matthews is a very good player. It's absurd, IMO. Kobe ripped him a new asshole in the playoffs, and defense is supposed to be this guy's forte?

 

[BGrantFan]

Raja Bell was never a great player, and I think Matthews could be the player Raja was.

Bell didn't even make it to the NBA until he was 24, and he didn't make an impact until the season he turned 25. He was 29 and with his fourth franchise before he became a regular starter.

Why is it hard to think Matthews might be even AHEAD of that pace?

Ed O.

So, you're paying him $9 million next year because he could become Raja Bell?

Terrible fucking signing if the Jazz don't match, IMO.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Matthews isn't Bowen, and he isn't Bell. Look at what Kobe Bryant did to him in the playoffs. This is outrageous. This average player, at best, will basically be a $14 million liability once the team goes over the tax threshold next summer. Bell and Bowen were both starters, and this guy won't ever start over Roy or Batum.

Hate to break it to you but average players get the MLE these days. Look at Travis. As for
"Look at what Kobe Bryant did to him in the playoffs"....didn't we already establish what a stupid comment this was?

 

[J_Ray]

I don't know if you noticed, but Matthews was effective because of Utah's execution, fastbreaking, and this guy we have named Deron Williams. If you ask me, I believe Matthews' success should be attributed a bit to Utah but the kid does play some killer defense. I just don't believe he's worth this money at all. If Utah does match, I'll be happy to have him back but this will add another overpaid player to the books. I hope he has fun backing up Roy in Portland

 

[Ed O]

Are you just defining him as "starting-level" because he did start for Utah, or do you feel he's that quality of player (counting both production and defense)? If so, why? Genuine question. I'd really like to like this move.

I think that, as a rookie, he was a solid starter for a good team. Assuming he improves marginally over time as he gets experience and additional maturity (although he is not that young, there should still be some potential to improve) he should remain a starting-level player.

I'm not EXCITED by this acquisition, and I would rather add a big guy of similar potential/ability, but given the opportunity costs/alternatives, I think this is a solid addition in what might prove to be the last offseason where adding players when you're over the cap will be this easy.

Ed O.

 

[Ed O]

So, you're paying him $9 million next year because he could become Raja Bell?

I'm not paying him anything. And I never particularly cared for Raja Bell nor his game, so I hope he doesn't become Bell.

Terrible fucking signing if the Jazz don't match, IMO.

Why is it terrible?

Other than that it's embarrassing, I mean.

Ed O.

 

[Masbee]

From Hollinger on twitter

Random tought: Blazers with Matthews, Batum, Oden and Camby will be about 10,000 times better defensively than at midpoint of last season.

Well, of course we have to wait to see if we get Matthews first, but it is a funny thought.

Last season, before the Camby trade, with Oden out and Joel out and Batum hurt, these were the guys playing "defense" in the spots Batum, Oden, Camby and Matthews will play:

SF: Webster (not bad, but Batum is an upgrade)
C: Juwan Howard (old, playing out of position, and never a great defender in his heyday, defense was ugly)

Bench SG: Rudy (ole)
Bench Big: Rookie Pendergraph. (not very good, though tries hard)

There would be the potential for a big upgrade in defense next season.

 

[Tortimer]

I think it's a bad offer because I don't think Matthews is a very good player. It's absurd, IMO. Kobe ripped him a new asshole in the playoffs, and defense is supposed to be this guy's forte?

That's your opinion but Matthews is a good defender and Kobe when he is going good will rip anyone in the league a new asshole. I have watch him last year 4-5 times and I liked his game without even thinking we were going to go for him as a FA this year. I think he is a good player and depending on how we use him if we even get him. I still think it is no better then a 50% chance of the Jazz not matching. I watch some of those games in the playoffs and Kobe did pretty good but was working hard to get his points against Matthews.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I believe the Blazers are already one spot over 15, and this would make it two.

Your math is screwy.

1: Roy
2. Aldridge
3. Oden
4. Batum
5. Miller
6. Camby
7. Bayless
8. Fernandez
9. Williams
10. Babbitt
11. Przybilla
12. Cunningham
13. Pendergraph
14. Matthews* (assuming he doesn't get matched by Utah)


Mills is RFA and Johnson is a 2nd round pick with no contract yet.

Nevermind that the roster is now primed for a consolidation trade in the worst way.

 

[BGrantFan]

I'm not paying him anything. And I never particularly cared for Raja Bell nor his game, so I hope he doesn't become Bell.

Why is it terrible?

Other than that it's embarrassing, I mean.

Ed O.

I gave my reasons. He'll be 24 next year, he was below average this year, and he'll be the 4th highest player on the roster. Plus, his cap number simply won't be worth his production, IMO. I'm interested in why you think this is a good signing if Utah doesn't match.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't know if you noticed, but Matthews was effective because of Utah's execution, fastbreaking, and this guy we have named Deron Williams. If you ask me, I believe Matthews' success should be attributed a bit to Utah but the kid does play some killer defense. I just don't believe he's worth this money at all. If you does match, I'll be happy to have him back but this will add another overpaid player to the books. I hope he has fun backing up Roy in Portland

You guys said the same thing about Milsap. Either step up to the plate or move the team. AK is a stupid contract. Millsap and Matthews (2/5 of your potential starters) making 6 million/yr in two years is hardly over paid.

 

[Ed O]

I gave my reasons. He'll be 24 next year, he was below average this year, and he'll be the 4th highest player on the roster. Plus, his cap number simply won't be worth his production, IMO.

Is him being 24 a good or a bad thing? I would say it's a good thing. Mature enough to help now, but young enough that we get almost all of his prime years under one contract.

And I don't think that it's fair to say he was below-average, given his good defense.

I'm interested in why you think this is a good signing if Utah doesn't match.

Because it's adding a starting-level guy who still has potential to improve while costing the team absolutely nothing other than Paul Allen's money.

It also weakens a division rival, whether they match or not.

Ed O.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I gave my reasons. He'll be 24 next year, he was below average this year, and he'll be the 4th highest player on the roster. Plus, his cap number simply won't be worth his production, IMO. I'm interested in why you think this is a good signing if Utah doesn't match.

He will be making 6 million a year. (after next season) So he is only worth 4 million a year. Not a Big deal imo.

 

[BGrantFan]

That's your opinion but Matthews is a good defender and Kobe when he is going good will rip anyone in the league a new asshole. I have watch him last year 4-5 times and I liked his game without even thinking we were going to go for him as a FA this year. I think he is a good player and depending on how we use him if we even get him. I still think it is no better then a 50% chance of the Jazz not matching. I watch some of those games in the playoffs and Kobe did pretty good but was working hard to get his points against Matthews.

Well, that's your opinion as well. Utah is a terrible defensive team, anyhow.

Also Kobe worked hard to get his points?

32 ppg
52% FG
86 % FT (38 FTA in 4 games)

If that is "working hard" I'd hate to see Kobe have it easy in a sweep. Kobe ripped Matthews a new asshole. I hope he's worth the money, but I don't see it as a good or necessary use of the MLE.

 

[J_Ray]

You guys said the same thing about Milsap. Either step up to the plate or move the team. AK is a stupid contract. Millsap and Matthews (2/5 of your potential starters) making 6 million/yr in two years is hardly over paid.

Millsap put up 18/10 when Boozer was out, he's a bargain. Matthews put up 10/2 as a starter, much different in any case. No one complained about Millsap, just they had to borrow a loan to match the deal so it was a big deal. If Portland wasn't owned by one of the richest Moguls in the U.S., they probably wouldn't be able to afford a high payroll in the middle of a "Recession" either.

 

[noknobs]

He started for the Jazz and played 37 mpg in the playoffs. Why would he want to come off of the bench behind Brandon Roy, and he had better not take minutes away from Batum and Bayless, who are both better players and younger than Matthews, who will be 24 years old when the season starts.

I can think of about 34 million reasons why he'd do that. Not bad for a guy who went undrafted. I don't want him to take minutes away from Batum either, but I like Matthews better than Bayless personally. At any rate, I think there will be more changes before the season starts so it's too early to talk about minute distribution.

I think we're overpaying some, but the bottom line is it's the only way to get him, and I actually like him a lot as a player.

 

[BGrantFan]

Millsap put up 18/10 when Boozer was out, he's a bargain. Matthews put up 10/2 as a starter, much different in any case. No one complained about Millsap, just they had to borrow a loan to match the deal so it was a big deal. If Portland wasn't owned by one of the richest Moguls in the U.S., they probably wouldn't be able to afford a high payroll in the middle of a "Recession" either.

If I prayed, I'd be praying that you guys match the offer. Matthews for 4/$16m; sure, that's OK. Matthews at 5/$34m; wow, I don't get it.

 

[Minstrel]

I think that, as a rookie, he was a solid starter for a good team.

Right, my question is what makes you feel he was solid as a starter. His PER was definitely not starter quality. Are you using some other metric, or are you going by observation?

 

[Blazinaway]

keep in mind that the way this deal is structured that 9 mil is due within SEVEN days of contract becoming done, for a small market team like the Jazz that may not be easy.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

A comparison of Martell and Matthews last season... the similarities are striking:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=Xg6V7

The difference here is this: Martell's ceiling is Wesley's floor.

EDIT: Here's a three-way comparison (Matthews, Webster, Outlaw) - I added Trav because he's going to make similar money to Matthews:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=a8r1X

NOTE: The Travis year is 2008-09, since it has playoff stats and a more accurate representation of Outlaw over a healthy season.

 

[Ed O]

Right, my question is what makes you feel he was solid as a starter. His PER was definitely not starter quality. Are you using some other metric, or are you going by observation?

12.3 PER isn't that bad, given the kind of player he is (a role player with low usage who primarily focuses on defense). Additionally, I tend to think that players who start on good teams with good coaches do so for a reason.

I was never blown away watching him, by any means, but he is a solid young player who's a starting-level swing man in my opinion.

Ed O.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

I think its safe to say our current scouts have a good track record and I have no reason to doubt them. He looks like a great option as the first guy off the bench who should only get better.

I'm laughing my ass of in regards to the "look what Kobe did to him" comment. For obvious reasons.

Why the fuck cant you guys put the actual TOPIC of the thread in the title!?!?

 

[1 Eye Jack]

If I prayed, I'd be praying that you guys match the offer. Matthews for 4/$16m; sure, that's OK. Matthews at 5/$34m; wow, I don't get it.

The problem is everyone is getting paid more than they are worth this year because of the supply and demand. Over abundance of teams with cap space and few players to spend it on.

 

[BGrantFan]

I think its safe to say our current scouts have a good track record and I have no reason to doubt them. He looks like a great option as the first guy off the bench who should only get better.

I'm laughing my ass of in regards to the "look what Kobe did to him" comment. For obvious reasons.

Why the fuck cant you guys put the actual TOPIC of the thread in the title!?!?

People were comparing him to Raja Bell and Bruce Bowen, two players who have given Kobe Bryant fits. Matthews got torched by Kobe. What obvious reasons are there for you laughing at using Matthews' performance against Bryant as a point of comparison, or even defensive ability?

 

[Natebishop3]

People were comparing him to Raja Bell and Bruce Bowen, two players who have given Kobe Bryant fits. Matthews got torched by Kobe. What obvious reasons are there for you laughing at using Matthews' performance against Bryant as a point of comparison, or even defensive ability?

In their rookie season? Bowen and Bell became known as defensive stalwarts later in their careers, not as a rookie going up against Kobe Bryant in the playoffs. But thanks for your thoughts.

 

[noknobs]

People were comparing him to Raja Bell and Bruce Bowen, two players who have given Kobe Bryant fits. Matthews got torched by Kobe. What obvious reasons are there for you laughing at using Matthews' performance against Bryant as a point of comparison, or even defensive ability?

The last two playoff series that Kobe faced Raja Bell (06', 07'), he averaged 28.1 ppg, and in 07' alone he averaged 32.8ppg.

The last three playoff series that Kobe faced Bruce Bowen (03', 04', 08'), he averaged 29.9ppg.

He averaged 32 ppg. against Matthews who was a rookie. Nobody gives Kobe fits, nobody stops him. Matthews has defensive ability though, just as Bowen and Bell did.

 

[Nikolokolus]

BGrant is just miffed because somehow without a GM the Blazers were able to pursue a free agent and actually get him to sign on the dotted line ... on the first try.

Now of course it remains to be seen if this will be a good move, but if all he turns out to be is Martell with a handle, good perimeter defense and high efficiency shooting in a complimentary role it won't be a terrible signing ... maybe not great. I'm reserving judgement for the time being.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The last two playoff series that Kobe faced Raja Bell (06', 07'), he averaged 28.1 ppg, and in 07' alone he averaged 32.8ppg.

The last three playoff series that Kobe faced Bruce Bowen (03', 04', 08'), he averaged 29.9ppg.

He averaged 32 ppg. against Matthews who was a rookie. Nobody gives Kobe fits, nobody stops him. Matthews has defensive ability though, just as Bowen and Bell did.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=TPSlb
Matthews versus Raja Bell and Bruce Bowen - to make things interesting, I went with Raja and Bruce's 3rd year versus Wesley's rookie year.

He's not as good as Raja or Bruce defensively, but he's so much better than them offensively, it's not even funny. In other words, he's a pretty well-rounded player. I'm feeling better about him already.

 

[RamblinRod]

If I prayed, I'd be praying that you guys match the offer. Matthews for 4/$16m; sure, that's OK. Matthews at 5/$34m; wow, I don't get it.

And just think, they're just following your boy's master plan. In KP we still trust, right?