Matas Progress Tracker

[DASMACKDOWN]

I think everything Matas is doing right now is actually an indictment against PWill.

Matas has no plays ran for him. Billy has him parked in the corner just like Pat. But yet it never feels like Matas is doing "cardio" or not involved in the offense.

That is because Matas actually has a motor. He constantly runs the floor in transition. I think how Matas is playing this early in his career is exactly how Billy wanted PWill to play.

But I dont think that will ever happen given PWill has always played low motor and now has lower body issues. So now we are basically planning to have an 18mil a year backup.

[madvillian]

I think everything Matas is doing right now is actually an indictment against PWill.

Matas has no plays ran for him. Billy has him parked in the corner just like Pat. But yet it never feels like Matas is doing "cardio" or not involved in the offense.

That is because Matas actually has a motor. He constantly runs the floor in transition. I think how Matas is playing this early in his career is exactly how Billy wanted PWill to play.

But I dont think that will ever happen given PWill has always played low motor and now has lower body issues. So now we are basically planning to have an 18mil a year backup.

And as we've seen Matas isn't pacing himself. It's not like he's in elite shape. He's gassed by the 2nd half. Maybe if BD had been playing him more than 5-10 minutes a game he'd be in better game shape but better late than never. Now Matas has an idea what he needs to do in the offseason to get ready for a bigger minutes load next year.

[kodo]

whoa! I was unaware! I still wish he'd get more boards! But maybe that's by design? have him as the outlet guy?

I'd say by design, team construction. Almost all offensive boards come from centers...I think 24 of the top 25 offensive rebounders are centers + Amen Thompson. We play two stretch 5s who hang out by the 3 point line, most centers are in the dunker spots to finish lobs, catch & dunk, and clean up misses. Our centers are basically 5th guards who can't dribble.

Last year when we at least had Drummond, we were 8th on offensive boards.

Defensive boards, meh who cares as long as the Bulls get it.

[leo921]

I hate that they have Matas sit in the corner where his only options are hit 3s, attack the closeout, or cut to the basket.
Billy needs to let him get more reps at the top of the 3 pt line and curling off the wing and let him use his dribble, length and quickness to get by guys and make plays. He def needs to get more pick and roll reps.

Matas, Terry and Phillips should all be playing major minutes not this limited timid stuff he has been doing with there playing time.

[Jcool0]

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[AshyLarrysDiaper]

I hate that they have Matas sit in the corner where his only options are hit 3s, attack the closeout, or cut to the basket.
Billy needs to let him get more reps at the top of the 3 pt line and curling off the wing and let him use his dribble, length and quickness to get by guys and make plays. He def needs to get more pick and roll reps.

Matas, Terry and Phillips should all be playing major minutes not this limited timid stuff he has been doing with there playing time.

Agreed.

It’s how rookie year Pat was developed as well. Then and now, the PF sits on the 3 pt line or freelances iso takes, with very little in between. That binary sucks and is the strongest case for moving on from BD this summer.

[LateNight]

Rough shooting stretch from Matas.

As someone said, he needs more on-ball reps - if only because he’s not good at shooting the corner three.

Of course, the high turnover numbers probably limit his use in that respect

[Muzbar]

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Pacers game.

[Chi town]

Buz is starting to flash in the PNR with finishing and passing.

Feed him!!!

[Chi town]

Another solid game from Buz.

You can tell the mins and season are wearing him down. Hes has the conditioning and strength of a freshman playing varsity. His 3 misses are all short. No legs.

If he can add some muscle and strengthen his core to absorb contact I think he could really pop next year.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Another solid game from Buz.

You can tell the mins and season are wearing him down. Hes has the conditioning and strength of a freshman playing varsity. His 3 misses are all short. No legs.

If he can add some muscle and strengthen his core to absorb contact I think he could really pop next year.

Yeah he has said as much in his interview with KC. But what I do like is that he is still pushing thru and not shying away from taking the shots.

[sco]

Another solid game from Buz.

You can tell the mins and season are wearing him down. Hes has the conditioning and strength of a freshman playing varsity. His 3 misses are all short. No legs.

If he can add some muscle and strengthen his core to absorb contact I think he could really pop next year.

Yeah he has said as much in his interview with KC. But what I do like is that he is still pushing thru and not shying away from taking the shots.

This is why I wasn't mad at Billy taking his time ramping him up over the season. Rookies just can't come in and play at a high level for a whole season. We talk about him needing strength, but I'm not seeing that as much as him needing to improve his endurance. I do love his running hard down the court. PWill take note!

I've been surprised with his playmaking skills. He's made some great passes off drives! Keep going kid.

[Jcool0]

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[cocktailswith_2short]

Tip of the iceberg . He's this good now if puts in the work and keeps grinding watch out .

[Jcool0]

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[DASMACKDOWN]

He started off the first half great but wasn't involved in the offense at all in the second half.

That really wasn't Matas fault, as the flow of the game changed in the second half because Coby was on a heater.

But I liked that Matas had his defensive chops on for those blocks and rebs in the second half. Him and Julian for that matter. They could have completely folded in the 4th but they held their own.

[Jcool0]

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[Jcool0]

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[meekrab]

Billy continues to put Matas in the doghouse any game where he collects more than one foul in the first half, this has to stop it's pointless to care about foul trouble for a rookie who's simply trying to learn the NBA game.

[sco]

Billy continues to put Matas in the doghouse any game where he collects more than one foul in the first half, this has to stop it's pointless to care about foul trouble for a rookie who's simply trying to learn the NBA game.

while I agree that sitting him for foul trouble is stupid, I have to admit that I agree with Billy's making Matas earn time this season and using stretches of lackluster play to bench him. Also, without Ball or Giddey to get him the ball on cuts, he was diminished anyway last night. I am against handing starting roles and minutes to rookies in general. I think the whole getting every available developmental minute is way overrated. Most rookies already hit their wall by now and are getting diminishing returns for additional minutes played. Matas has gotten plenty of reps and minutes this season to have developed from.

My goal for the rest of the season for him is to just end the season healthy so that he can have a good off-season.