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Andi Obst wrote:His defensive instincts and his positioning on that end are special for a rookie. Once he gets stronger, Matas will be a force on defense.
kodo wrote:Matas is now top 20 in blocks per 100 possessions. The only SF up there, and one of only two non-centers blocking shots like this (the other is Isaac at PF). And he's also making a bunch of 3s while blocking shots which is also rare, the other guys doing both are Wemby and Jaren Jackson.
FriedRise wrote:Not advocating a position or another, but if Matas can be developed to get a little stronger (not necessarily heavier/bulkier like Lauri), with his defensive instincts and shot blocking ability, why wouldn't we wanna play him at center to anchor our defense?
He's already a pretty decent rebounder (5th in DRB% and that's with him mostly playing out in the perimeter), and offensively, he can do a lot more with the ball compared to other centers and can space the floor or yam it in. With how aggressive he tends to play, I also don't doubt that he can get us a few more FTAs compared to our other centers, which can only help his efficiency.
He will need to get a lot better at finishing around the rim though.. 41% overall from 2 including a measly 48% from 0-3ft ain't gonna cut it.
cocktailswith_2short wrote:That's who he reminds me of ! AK-47 with a 3 ball .
erlim wrote:cocktailswith_2short wrote:That's who he reminds me of ! AK-47 with a 3 ball .
I could have sworn he said in an interview that’s who he was patterning and training his game after?
One of the most interesting segments of the interview came when Buzelis was asked to name the NBA players he watches most often.
"I just watch people who get buckets," Buzelis said. "But also defensively ... guys on the defensive end like Andrei Kirilenko."
Kirilenko was the least surprising of the players named by Buzelis. Kirilenko was very similar to Buzelis physically and athletically, and like Buzelis, Kirilenko had a knack for blocking shots from the weak side.
If Chicago is getting the next Kirilenko in Buzelis, the Bulls will have made an excellent selection in the draft.
Buzelis also listed Jaden McDaniels as a player he watches for defensive education. McDaniels, 23, has quickly evolved into one of the NBA's premier defenders as a member of the contending Minnesota Timberwolves. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot wingspan and an endless motor, McDaniels possesses the length, instincts, and tenacity required to guard four positions in the league.
Two further players mentioned by Buzelis will come as a surprise to many: J.R. Smith and O.J. Mayo.
sco wrote:FriedRise wrote:Not advocating a position or another, but if Matas can be developed to get a little stronger (not necessarily heavier/bulkier like Lauri), with his defensive instincts and shot blocking ability, why wouldn't we wanna play him at center to anchor our defense?
He's already a pretty decent rebounder (5th in DRB% and that's with him mostly playing out in the perimeter), and offensively, he can do a lot more with the ball compared to other centers and can space the floor or yam it in. With how aggressive he tends to play, I also don't doubt that he can get us a few more FTAs compared to our other centers, which can only help his efficiency.
He will need to get a lot better at finishing around the rim though.. 41% overall from 2 including a measly 48% from 0-3ft ain't gonna cut it.
I understand what you're saying, but my question is why would you? Playing C is a very physical game, which would require changes to his body and skillset. Why not play him at sf/pf, where he's currently best suited to play as a perimeter player. From a practical perspective we have nobody ahead of him, IMO Billy is just being deliberate in limiting his rookie minutes for development purposes.
Jstock12 wrote:sco wrote:FriedRise wrote:Not advocating a position or another, but if Matas can be developed to get a little stronger (not necessarily heavier/bulkier like Lauri), with his defensive instincts and shot blocking ability, why wouldn't we wanna play him at center to anchor our defense?
He's already a pretty decent rebounder (5th in DRB% and that's with him mostly playing out in the perimeter), and offensively, he can do a lot more with the ball compared to other centers and can space the floor or yam it in. With how aggressive he tends to play, I also don't doubt that he can get us a few more FTAs compared to our other centers, which can only help his efficiency.
He will need to get a lot better at finishing around the rim though.. 41% overall from 2 including a measly 48% from 0-3ft ain't gonna cut it.
I understand what you're saying, but my question is why would you? Playing C is a very physical game, which would require changes to his body and skillset. Why not play him at sf/pf, where he's currently best suited to play as a perimeter player. From a practical perspective we have nobody ahead of him, IMO Billy is just being deliberate in limiting his rookie minutes for development purposes.
Offensively Matas is for sure a perimeter player mostly. Great handle, and creativity in general. It would be a bit of a waste to use him as a center where he would probably be manhandled by the really big dudes. Matas has a fairly skinny frame and is 6'9-6'10 at most. And defensively, I'm not convinced that Matas would be a good rim protector as the MAIN anchor of the defense (which C's usually are). He's more of a defensive playmaker (who can anticipate and disrupt plays from the weakside) than someone you can rely on to provide good rim protection on a nightly basis. His arms are on the shorter side.
Jcool0 wrote:
Repeat 3-peat wrote:Jcool0 wrote:
Tonight's stats.
MB: 21 pts, 8-21 FG, 1-8 3PT, 3-5 FT, 9 Rebs, 4 Ast, 1 stl, 5 blk
JP: 18 pts, 6-16 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-3 FT, 12 reb
WesPeace wrote:I love the kid, I think he can be really good starting PF in future, because of IQ, blocks, rebounds.. he just needs to improve shooting, thats a must..
I dont see him as SF, he is just too tall, better to use him at 4.. but 100% not as freaking center lol