Is there any doubt that Matthews was a steal?

[Nikolokolus]

I don't think Matthews is/was a steal. He's looking like he is however worth the money they dropped on him ... especially given the shaky hit rate with MLE deals. For example we could have resigned Catfish for the same amount -- yikes

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think Matthews is/was a steal. He's looking like he is however worth the money they dropped on him ... especially given the shaky hit rate with MLE deals. For example we could have resigned Catfish for the same amount -- yikes

Well, I would call him a "steal" because we were able to pry him away from Utah without giving up anything other than a front-loaded contract.

 

[Minstrel]

Exactly. You're a smart guy. You should consider becoming a moderator

I copied and pasted a bunch of moderator forum stuff to WikiLeaks. Let's just say, I've burned some bridges.

 

[anonymous gambler]

I'm pretty happy with Matthews also, a small bright spot in a dismal season.

 

[Natebishop3]

I copied and pasted a bunch of moderator forum stuff to WikiLeaks. Let's just say, I've burned some bridges.

Oh.... so it was you who exposed Denny's evil plan?

 

[barfo]

Oh.... so it was you who exposed Denny's evil plan?

Plans, plural.

barfo

 

[Natebishop3]

Plans, plural.

barfo

They all fall under THE plan.

 

[barfo]

They all fall under THE plan.

Perhaps, but it is not possible to track them all under one heading. There are, at this time, 32 different federal agencies tasked with monitoring Denny's activities.

barfo

 

[Natebishop3]

Perhaps, but it is not possible to track them all under one heading. There are, at this time, 32 different federal agencies tasked with monitoring Denny's activities.

barfo

They're not all agencies. Some of them are offices, others are bureaus. FEMA, for example, is no longer an agency. It's an office under the Department of Homeland Security.

 

[RoyToy]

I'm still curious whose idea this was considering the Blazers had no GM at the time.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I'm still curious whose idea this was considering the Blazers had no GM at the time.

Kind of makes you wonder if Pritchard had a hand in identifying Mattews as a top free agent target and drafting the front loaded contract that got him here. Obviously, before the draft (and Pritchard's bizarre firing), KP would have known who the upcoming free agents were going to be and how much they could offer. Possible free agent signings could have also impacted who they would draft. Pritchard was the master of analyzing all possible scenarios. So, was Martell traded for the rights to Babbitt done because he thought the Blazers had a good chance to land Mattews to replace Webster? Seems rather likely to me.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

Anyone notice how sometimes Wesley seems to be the only one on our team trying? He plays with a higher level of energy.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Patty disagrees. But in general, I agree with your point.

 

[illmatic99]

As a starter through 7 games, he has averaged: 21pts, 4rebs, 1ast, 1.6stls, and 2 turns on 49% FG, 39% from 3 (2.4makes per game) in 36mpg.

I too wasn't making much of the front loading stuff, but I didn't feel him worthy of the MLE. He's showing otherwise, and I'm slowly taking a liking to his game, even if I think he should pass the ball more.

 

[MickZagger]

I think I'm on record as loving the signing from Day 1.

 

[Natebishop3]

As a starter through 7 games, he has averaged: 21pts, 4rebs, 1ast, 1.6stls, and 2 turns on 49% FG, 39% from 3 (2.4makes per game) in 36mpg.

I too wasn't making much of the front loading stuff, but I didn't feel him worthy of the MLE. He's showing otherwise, and I'm slowly taking a liking to his game, even if I think he should pass the ball more.

That's just because we're used to having Brandon Roy as our shooting guard, who averaged a great deal more assists.

 

[Blazinaway]

He still seems like a chucker, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt because our offense is so pathetic.

and at least he's a chucker who hits a solid percentage of his shots

 

[Minstrel]

and at least he's a chucker who hits a solid percentage of his shots

Which makes him not a "chucker" IMO. If all being a chucker means is shooting a lot, then every shooting guard is supposed to be a chucker.

I've always seen "chucker" to mean someone who shoots more than his scoring efficiency suggests he should. That is absolutely not the case for Matthews, as his scoring efficiency is excellent for a perimeter player.

 

[mook]

He's our best player.

 

[jlprk]

I see his attitude more than his talent--a big guard who swings his weight around all over the floor. He takes charge instead of playing a role. If Aldridge played like that, he'd be an all-star.

 

[LittleAlex]

Which makes him not a "chucker" IMO. If all being a chucker means is shooting a lot, then every shooting guard is supposed to be a chucker.

I've always seen "chucker" to mean someone who shoots more than his scoring efficiency suggests he should. That is absolutely not the case for Matthews, as his scoring efficiency is excellent for a perimeter player.

This.


And I also agree that sometimes it appears that Mathews is operating at a much higher energy level then anyone else in a Blazer uniform on the floor.

I don't think Mathews has yet figure out how to make his teamates better.
Maybe he never willl.

Since it's only his second year in the league I feel it is safe to say we haven't seen the best from Wesley yet.

 

[mook]

I see his attitude more than his talent--a big guard who swings his weight around all over the floor. He takes charge instead of playing a role. If Aldridge played like that, he'd be an all-star.

It's even more obvious when you compare Wes to how Batum used to play the same position among the same starting unit.

The question is no longer, "Who is the best complement to Roy?" It's "Who is the best complement to Matthews?"

Which makes it tough to say, but we need to bench Roy and insert Batum back into the starting lineup. The end-of-game lineup should be whichever of Roy or Batum has had the better game.

 

[mook]

And I also agree that sometimes it appears that Mathews is operating at a much higher energy level then anyone else in a Blazer uniform on the floor.

I don't think Mathews has yet figure out how to make his teamates better.
Maybe he never willl.

Since it's only his second year in the league I feel it is safe to say we haven't seen the best from Wesley yet.

Yeah, I don't think he'll ever be a Roy-like passer. His assists have actually gone down this year, even as he handles the ball more. Which is where his reputation as a black hole comes in. But some guys just don't see the floor that well.

Anyway, we've got decent-to-great passers at every other position. I like his aggression on this team.

 

[MickZagger]

Yeah, I don't think he'll ever be a Roy-like passer. His assists have actually gone down this year, even as he handles the ball more. Which is where his reputation as a black hole comes in. But some guys just don't see the floor that well.

Anyway, we've got decent-to-great passers at every other position. I like his aggression on this team.

He also doesn't command the attention defensively that Roy got. Thats why Roy got so many assists, the defense would collapse on him and he'd hit an open teammate. Thats why I think were struggling a lot. We haven't changed the offense and since Roy isn't commanding as much attention players aren't getting the easy looks they've had the past few years.

 

[B-Roy]

He's at least as good as Jason Richardson...

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

It's even more obvious when you compare Wes to how Batum used to play the same position among the same starting unit.

The question is no longer, "Who is the best complement to Roy?" It's "Who is the best complement to Matthews?"

Which makes it tough to say, but we need to bench Roy and insert Batum back into the starting lineup. The end-of-game lineup should be whichever of Roy or Batum has had the better game.

I think it is still "Who is the better compliment to Roy" being answered by Nate inserting Wes into the starting lineup. If Roy were playing better offensively, I think Batum would have stayed in the starting lineup with Wes providing scoring off the bench.

As for the title of the thread, I also think it is an overstatement using the word steal. All of Paul Milsap's contracts could be labeled a steal since there was superior production for the price paid. We are getting what we paid for with Wes.

 

[blazerboy30]

We are getting what we paid for with Wes.

Interesting. You think most players that receive the MLE perform at the level Wes is currently performing? I'd have to disagree with that.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

It's early in the season but watching him he really reminds me A LOT of Jimmy Jackson.

 

[THE HCP]

I heard he was targeted by KP.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

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