Bill Simmons' thoughts on Wesley Matthews

[dsfire]

Basketball Prospectus ran a little profile this summer how Wes's success in Utah was more a product of Sloan's system than his ability as a player.  Their argument was that you could plug in any decent guard with the right attitude and they would have relative success.  That being said there was an article posted last week about Portland was using Matthews as a point guard with great success.  They mentioned that him and Roy in the back court was a match up problem because of their height together.  They were also complimentary of his ability to match up with Deron Williams in a pre-season game.

Wow.  Would not have pictured Wes as an NBA point guard.

[MerrittsMustache]

Basketball Prospectus ran a little profile this summer how Wes's success in Utah was more a product of Sloan's system than his ability as a player.  Their argument was that you could plug in any decent guard with the right attitude and they would have relative success.  That being said there was an article posted last week about Portland was using Matthews as a point guard with great success.  They mentioned that him and Roy in the back court was a match up problem because of their height together.  They were also complimentary of his ability to match up with Deron Williams in a pre-season game.

Wes at the point is definitely interesting. Although, Nate McMillan is about Wes' size (if I'm not mistaken) and he was an excellent PG in his day so maybe he sees a little of himself in Wes.

Many fans picture the PG being a quick, little ballhandler/passer like Steve Nash or Isiah Thomas but in today's NBA, many teams simply need a guy with a high basketball IQ to keep the offense under control, knock down open shots, make good decisions with the ball and defend well on the other end. Wes definitely fits that description. Not every PG needs to be a penatrating playmaker for a team to be successful. The stars are the ones who have the ball in their hands most of the time anyway and they're the ones who are expected to make the big plays. PGs are often times just solid role players.

[reinko]

What is everyone complaining about? How many of you would turn down $33 million, regardless of whether you're worth it or not. I'm happy for Wes and optimistic that he'll be a poster child for the best Marquette has to offer.

I'm waiting for Wes to tell Portland, "I'll give you my $33 million worth and not a cent more!"

Seriously gang, he's coached by fellow Warrior grad Maurice Lucas. He'll be great!!!!

Nobody is complaining.  None of us have said we would turn down 33 large.  We are all happy for Wes.  And we all think he is a great poster child for MU.

[MUDPT]

Guess I should have linked the article:

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1208