Hold onto your shorts!

[Sedatedfork]

That sounds like something you might say if you are hoping to get the Jazz to not match.

Comments on that article are pretty fun.

Not sure how they think they are going to make an offer we can't match if Oden is an RFA, though. Pretty sure Paul will still have more money than them next year.

barfo

I thought this comment was kind of interesting: "

josemb | 8:04 p.m. July 10, 2010
this thing shows only one thing; the blazers LOVE the way utah develop undrafted players and 2nd round draft picks. they love how these players show heart, spunk and dedication to their profession. they love that the jazz players play their hearts out game after game after game. and it shows: the jazz swept the lottery pick-laden blazers last season. maybe the blazers should instead hire jerry sloan to get their slacker stars into shape and play like utah jazz players. we all know that the blazers only play those stupid iso-plays.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I thought this comment was kind of interesting: "

josemb | 8:04 p.m. July 10, 2010
this thing shows only one thing; the blazers LOVE the way utah develop undrafted players and 2nd round draft picks. they love how these players show heart, spunk and dedication to their profession. they love that the jazz players play their hearts out game after game after game. and it shows: the jazz swept the lottery pick-laden blazers last season. maybe the blazers should instead hire jerry sloan to get their slacker stars into shape and play like utah jazz players. we all know that the blazers only play those stupid iso-plays.

Ouch! There's enough truth in that to make it sting.

 

[maxiep]

Yeah, we just coasted last year. No one showed heart, grit or spunk. Seriously, do people actually watch the games or just bitch based on what they've already concluded?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Ouch! There's enough truth in that to make it sting.

And just enough BS to make you roll your eyes.

 

[craigehlo]

Yeah, we just coasted last year. No one showed heart, grit or spunk. Seriously, do people actually watch the games or just bitch based on what they've already concluded?

I've seen a lot of Matthews after Utah traded Brewer away. His level of hoops IQ and effort compared to guys like Rudy and Bayless is off the charts. He moves well w/o the ball, keeps his man in-front of him and doesn't pass up the open shot (and often hits them).

Yes, the Blazers are overpaying but it's on par with all other contracts we've seen this summer.

 

[hasoos]

Not really sure I understand the interest in Matthews. He's 23 and put up a 12.3 PER last season. It's not like he's super young, and he wasn't even terribly close to average last year. He'd better be a defensive ace to be worth a deal of any significance.

I understand easily why they are interested in Mathews, and when it comes down to it, I am wondering why so many people are skeptical about this guy, especially after watching Rudy throw up so many doughnuts in the playoffs last year. He is an excellent defender, has a great motor, he is very efficient (48% from the field. ). You can't judge him purely by numbers because he only started part of the season. I still think he has a lot of upside, because if you watched the guy actually play last year you would have seen his confidence growing throughout the end of the year. He was a very different player from the time he first started to the time the Jazz had been eliminated from the playoffs. That to me says his upside has a ways to go, age be damned.

When was the last time Rudy averaged the numbers that Mathews did last year? Never. And he has been in the league 2 years with pro ball experience from Europe. So that being said, and considering Mathews can actually defend, it is an upgrade across the board. Considering that you probably won't see a newspaper article detailing Mathews bitching about playing time any time soon, it is a double whammy positive IMO.

Does he shoot better than Rudy? Yep.
Does he defend better than Rudy? Yep.
Does he rebound better than Rudy? Yep.
Is he more physical than Rudy? Yep.
Is he tougher than Rudy? Yep.

Will he bitch like Rudy? Nope.

 

[Sug]

I understand easily why they are interested in Mathews, and when it comes down to it, I am wondering why so many people are skeptical about this guy, especially after watching Rudy throw up so many doughnuts in the playoffs last year. He is an excellent defender, has a great motor, he is very efficient (48% from the field. ). You can't judge him purely by numbers because he only started part of the season. I still think he has a lot of upside, because if you watched the guy actually play last year you would have seen his confidence growing throughout the end of the year. He was a very different player from the time he first started to the time the Jazz had been eliminated from the playoffs. That to me says his upside has a ways to go, age be damned.

When was the last time Rudy averaged the numbers that Mathews did last year? Never. And he has been in the league 2 years with pro ball experience from Europe. So that being said, and considering Mathews can actually defend, it is an upgrade across the board. Considering that you probably won't see a newspaper article detailing Mathews bitching about playing time any time soon, it is a double whammy positive IMO.

Does he shoot better than Rudy? Yep.
Does he defend better than Rudy? Yep.
Does he rebound better than Rudy? Yep.
Is he more physical than Rudy? Yep.
Is he tougher than Rudy? Yep.

Will he bitch like Rudy? Nope.

He is an African-American version of Nic Batum.

 

[THE HCP]

He is an African-American version of Nic Batum.

You know I never thought of that before......... Nic is NOT African-American huh? African-French? I don't think there is an African-French box to check at the DMV!

 

[Natebishop3]

You know I never thought of that before......... Nic is NOT African-American huh? African-French? I don't think there is an African-French box to check at the DMV!

Every black person is African American. The political correctness machine of the US media commands it!

 

[Pinwheel1]

I thought this comment was kind of interesting: "

josemb | 8:04 p.m. July 10, 2010
this thing shows only one thing; the blazers LOVE the way utah develop undrafted players and 2nd round draft picks. they love how these players show heart, spunk and dedication to their profession. .

Yes we do like their undrafted and 2nd round players. At least they do not have to worry about anyone wanting their 1st round picks. Because other than Deron, (and Maynor who is no longer on the team) they have pretty much sucked. I guess Sloan can't develop those guys.

 

[Pinwheel1]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/49907340-87/jazz-matthews-offer-williams.html.csp


"We talked about that,” Young said. “Obviously, he thinks he’s going to be a starter anywhere he goes. Wes guarded threes [small forwards] all year and there’s no reason he can’t continue to guard threes.”

Young added that Portland talked about playing a lineup with Roy at point guard and Matthews alongside him in the backcourt. “He just wants to play quality minutes, be in the thick of things and if he goes there, he can continue to do that,” Young said."

 

[Nikolokolus]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/jazz/49907340-87/jazz-matthews-offer-williams.html.csp


"We talked about that,” Young said. “Obviously, he thinks he’s going to be a starter anywhere he goes. Wes guarded threes [small forwards] all year and there’s no reason he can’t continue to guard threes.”

Young added that Portland talked about playing a lineup with Roy at point guard and Matthews alongside him in the backcourt. “He just wants to play quality minutes, be in the thick of things and if he goes there, he can continue to do that,” Young said."

Can't say I'm bothered to read that. As long as somebody is out there to cover the point guard (Nic?) then I think having 2 quality perimeter defenders around Roy is a pretty good way to go ... especially if both of those wing defenders are high percentage shooters. Of course I still think they've got more than enough ammo to try and go out and get a high quality point guard to eventually (or immediately?) replace Miller.

If Matthews doesn't get matched the most tradeable players in my opinion are:
Przy - 7.4 million: 80% insured expiring contract, might even surprise people and be able to play again
Rudy - 1.2 million: Doesn't want to be here, they just offered a guy a shit load of money to play his same position
Bayless - 2.3 million: probably more two guard than point guard, but young, cheap and productive as a bench scorer (at least). Somebody will want him
Miller - 7.2+ million: potentially expiring contract, still productive, makes enough money to be a part of a package that brings back a high dollar player.
Williams - 1.1 million: the unknown quantity with a cheap contract and can easily be added to a deal to make salaries match, but will probably be retained for depth.

That's 18-19 million in very tradeable assets.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think you summed it up pretty well Nik. Throw in a couple more Euros (if necessary) to sweeten the pot and I think you have an attractive package.

 

[maxiep]

Every black person is African American. The political correctness machine of the US media commands it!

We are all African Americans. If I went back far enough, I could trace my lineage to East Africa, as could everyone else on this board.

 

[maxiep]

This kid sounds like Ime Udoka.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This kid sounds like Ime Udoka.

If Ime had been 23 when he played for us, he'd have been worth a full MLE, imho. His age as a rookie (29) was the only thing holding him back.

 

[Nikolokolus]

This kid sounds like Ime Udoka.

I couldn't quite put my finger on who he reminded me of, but that's the best comp I've seen yet.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I couldn't quite put my finger on who he reminded me of, but that's the best comp I've seen yet.

I am hoping for Mario Ellie

 

[Nikolokolus]

I am hoping for Mario Ellie

That would be great too. Or how about Ruben Patterson with a three point shot and no sex offenses (or alcoholism)?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I am hoping for Mario Ellie

If this kid turns into Mario Elie mkII, he's worth the MLE for sure.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Hmm, Utah going to plan B?

Signing Allen would mean Memphis would completely severe ties with Ronnie Brewer, who it acquired from Utah for a protected 2011 first-round pick in February. Brewer wasn't extended a $3.7 million qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent.

Brewer apparently wasn't willing to commit to the Grizzlies' latest offer because of pending negotiations with Chicago and Utah.

LINK

 

[gatorpops]

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.

Probably not but....he just may start with them.

 

[gatorpops]

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

What's not FUN about 9m for the first year and 34m over five?

 

[MARIS61]

Wes Matthews is a decent backup guard, an average defender, and someday may be as good as Bayless but probably not.

Only Larry Miller is clueless enough to give him starter money.

 

[gatorpops]

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.

I like our rich Mogul. Wouldn't the Lakers have less clout for getting players if they didn't have a rich Mogul and LA as a draw. (Unfair I say)

 

[gatorpops]

Wes Matthews is a decent backup guard, an average defender, and someday may be as good as Bayless but probably not.

Only Larry Miller is clueless enough to give him starter money.

I think he is already better than Bayless.

 

[Idog1976]

Can't say I'm bothered to read that. As long as somebody is out there to cover the point guard (Nic?) then I think having 2 quality perimeter defenders around Roy is a pretty good way to go ... especially if both of those wing defenders are high percentage shooters. Of course I still think they've got more than enough ammo to try and go out and get a high quality point guard to eventually (or immediately?) replace Miller.

If Matthews doesn't get matched the most tradeable players in my opinion are:
Przy - 7.4 million: 80% insured expiring contract, might even surprise people and be able to play again
Rudy - 1.2 million: Doesn't want to be here, they just offered a guy a shit load of money to play his same position
Bayless - 2.3 million: probably more two guard than point guard, but young, cheap and productive as a bench scorer (at least). Somebody will want him
Miller - 7.2+ million: potentially expiring contract, still productive, makes enough money to be a part of a package that brings back a high dollar player.
Williams - 1.1 million: the unknown quantity with a cheap contract and can easily be added to a deal to make salaries match, but will probably be retained for depth.

That's 18-19 million in very tradeable assets.

Bring unto me, the game of one Chris of Paul. Yea, and verily let it rain three pointers from the corners. And let CP3 pass unto Oden the Oop of Alleyness. Yea, and there shall be-eth lobs unto LaMarcus and bounce passes to Brandon of Roy.

So let it be written! So let it be DONE!

 

[STOMP]

That would be great too. Or how about Ruben Patterson with a three point shot and no sex offenses (or alcoholism)?

... or general stupidism.

just to note it, his predraft measurements were 6'4 barefoot 220 lbs w/a 6'8.25 wingspan... physically he's a stockier Roy. Does he have the sort of explosiveness that Roy and Rube have/had?

so after the "toxic" 1st year (9.2M) he's due about 6M per on the offer. If things don't work out that seems like a tradable contract. I can't say I have much of an opinion on him outside of reading stats but hopefully his D, complimentary play and outside shot are all that... unless of course Utah matches

STOMP

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

... or general stupidism.

just to note it, his predraft measurements were 6'4 barefoot 220 lbs w/a 6'8.25 wingspan... physically he's a stockier Roy

so after the "toxic" 1st year (9.2M) he's due about 6M per on the offer. If things don't work out that seems like a tradable contract. I can't say I have much of an opinion on him outside of reading stats but hopefully his D, complimentary play and outside shot are all that... unless of course Utah matches

STOMP

Who's measurements are those?

 

[STOMP]

Who's measurements are those?

Wesley's at the predraft per draftexpress

btw... he seems pretty bright
[video=youtube;mdq6QgKxgmo]

STOMP