MaizeBlueA2

February 9th, 2019 at 2:25 PM ^

Played like he wasn't worrying about the NBA and trying to prove he has a 3-pointer.

FINALLY!!!

Last year and throughout the tournament, he was RELENTLESS driving in the lane and his pull-up jumper is second to none. I get that makes him a dinosaur in this new world of analytics where you need to get a lay-up or 3. But that's his game.

He can get a 10ft jumpshot anytime he wants and he's so athletic that you're either off balance trying to keep up with him driving to the basket or he jump out jumps you.

When get goes all the way to the basket he's charge or turnover prone unless it's a dunk, when he settles for 3's he's hit or miss. But when he attacks the short/midrange, he's a 1st team All-B1G player.

Here's hoping he's done trying to improve his 3-point shot, or impress scouts, etc. Just use your God given ability, get close to the cup, stop or step back or fade or spin and do what you do. It's unguardable.

Ajcoss

February 9th, 2019 at 2:36 PM ^

Agree. Sort of like DeRozen in NBA. DeRozen drives and dribbles better, but similar game. Not a great 3-pt shooter, but solid mid range game. He’s making it in nba. That’s the game Matthews needs to implement. I think his dribbling is more important to work-on/develop over 3-point shooting. Hopefully JB and staff sees from this 2nd half what they need to do with Matthews. 

MaizeBlueA2

February 9th, 2019 at 2:42 PM ^

Very nice comparison. Never considered that, but very similar and definitely understand what you're talking about.

If the 3 is wide open, by all means, take it...but he can get anywhere he wants in the midrange and he's pretty lethal. Last year that's all he did, stick with it, that's the Charles Matthews that can help carry this team back to the finals.

Ajcoss

February 9th, 2019 at 4:34 PM ^

Another guy who is probably a closer comparison is Shaun Livingston w/ GS. Had a nice career shooting no 3’s. He’s better ball handler than Matthews, but Matthews better D. Could be similar career paths if Matthews sticks to what he does best. The thing I think holding Matthews back most is his ball handling. Several guys in league below average from 3’s, but I can’t think of many 6-6 guys who are worse/equal to Matthews in dribbling. Disappointed he didn’t work on that/improve on this from last year. Bright side, nba doesn’t call traveling, so Matthews has that going for him. 

UMinSF

February 9th, 2019 at 4:42 PM ^

Interesting comparison, but I'm not sure it really fits. Shaun is a real scorer; his job is to be the first scoring option off the bench, instant offense.

Matthews is more of a defensive stopper, has way better hops and is far less consistent offensively. He's actually more like the current version of Iguodala IMO.

FauxMo

February 9th, 2019 at 2:05 PM ^

You posted this before the game was over. You did it just so you could be first. You accomplished something today, sir. Are you proud?