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Game 1: Rough start

In the right places but missed two wide open corner threes in a row.

No real standout plays that I saw. Not out there long.

Finished with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 missed shots after playing for 4:42

New haircut is sharp

Think he's forcing up too many 3s, he has years to get that shot down. He's a 6' 10" athletic SF...take it to the rack or at least a mid range. It's OK to take less fashionable shots at his age. I know Billy wants to get up a ton of 3s...but that's really not the responsibility of the 19 year old rook.

As expected he looked good on defense switching onto guards, especially for a rookie big.

Eh, if you're confident keep shooting it as long as its in the flow of the offense. Keep working on your shot and get stronger, get in the weightroom. Just don't end up being a timid offensive player like PWIll.

Matas Buzelis has all the time in the world to develop. He shouldn't have his development rushed. Matas should play at least the first half of the season with the Windy City Bulls. Let him prove he can shoot better than thirty something percent from the field and twenty something percent from three. He's not ready and I'm perfectly okay with that.

Rose2Boozer wrote:Matas Buzelis has all the time in the world to develop. He shouldn't have his development rushed. Matas should play at least the first half of the season with the Windy City Bulls. Let him prove he can shoot better than thirty something percent from the field and twenty something percent from three. He's not ready and I'm perfectly okay with that.

He does have the time to develop but he should be doing it at the NBA level now. He doesn't need more time in the gleague.

I just hate how BD used him last night. Not that he earned more minutes or anything just the lineups he was part of really. I'd like to see Matas and Pat play together. I think they have some decent defensive synergy that could be useful against backups.

madvillian wrote:I just hate how BD used him last night. Not that he earned more minutes or anything just the lineups he was part of really. I'd like to see Matas and Pat play together. I think they have some decent defensive synergy that could be useful against backups.

It's a good point!

I remember Billy commenting on how he needs to develop professional habits to develop. Maybe he's sending Matas a message on things that we aren't seeing. The truth is that it's a long season and most rookies hit a wall anyway, so being tough to start the season makes some sense.

Matas really needs to work on his 3pt shot. I'm happy he has the confidence to take the shot right now.

sco wrote:

madvillian wrote:I just hate how BD used him last night. Not that he earned more minutes or anything just the lineups he was part of really. I'd like to see Matas and Pat play together. I think they have some decent defensive synergy that could be useful against backups.

It's a good point!

I remember Billy commenting on how he needs to develop professional habits to develop. Maybe he's sending Matas a message on things that we aren't seeing. The truth is that it's a long season and most rookies hit a wall anyway, so being tough to start the season makes some sense.

Matas really needs to work on his 3pt shot. I'm happy he has the confidence to take the shot right now.

I feel like he needs to realize he's tall enough and doesn't need to rush his shot. He's not going to get it blocked very often. To give him a compliment I did like how he defended a bit. he brings some energy on that side that nobody else does on our team outside pat once and awhile.

Matas was bad shooter in college and I don't think he can ever be a good shooter in NBA. Of course, I hope I'm wrong in this realistic view of him.

If his role on offense is going to be standing in the corner, you may as well send him to the G league now. That’s not even remotely close to utilising any of his strengths and in fact exposes his weaknesses.

I’m not concerned by his shooting. He has a good stroke and made plenty in the games he’s played to far. Matas might not be a knockdown shooter but I do expect to end up reaching that 36% range.

G league start yet if so Matas needs pt there

I think he needs to start with cutting to the basket because we have guys that can get him the ball now and it will help our shooters by drawing attention inside. This could be on Billy a bit too in maybe he’s not telling him to cut but I think he can be deadly at it and I think Lonzo or Giddey will find him. Also he surprisingly did well creating a shot inside so I don’t mind him doing a bit of that but I would start with cutting. Dude should definitely not try and jack up 3s we have guys that can do that we need him to use his size and ability to attack the basket.

I look forward to the point in this thread when he inevitably replaces Pat in the starting lineup. Probably around page 28 or so.

I think you saw hm and Terry play over Craig so they can give then both some time early in the season when the team is still sorting through what they've got coming off the bench. Terry probably needs to show more than Matas to keep playing but 10-12 games in unless they show a whole lot Craig and Phillips should be getting the bulk of the backup front court minutes

DorO wrote:Matas was bad shooter in college and I don't think he can ever be a good shooter in NBA. Of course, I hope I'm wrong in this realistic view of him.

Except that it's not a realistic view of him, because he didn't even play in college as you claim. He shot 54% from the field and 42% from three in highschool.

I'm sure we're not as bad as we looked last night, but there's still a decent probability that FO closes the books on the season...i.e. play Matas meaningful (near starter) minutes by the trade deadline. Until then, I think Billy keeps him on a short leash (i.e. 10-15MPG depending on play), barring an unexpected leap.

DorO wrote:Matas was bad shooter in college and I don't think he can ever be a good shooter in NBA. Of course, I hope I'm wrong in this realistic view of him.

Huh? I think you're thinking of the wrong player. Matas didn't play college ball and he has sweet stroke... hardly a bad shooter.

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Mbrahv0528 wrote:

DorO wrote:Matas was bad shooter in college and I don't think he can ever be a good shooter in NBA. Of course, I hope I'm wrong in this realistic view of him.

Huh? I think you're thinking of the wrong player. Matas didn't play college ball and he has sweet stroke... hardly a bad shooter.

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I think we all know that he's talking about his year in GLeague where he shot 27% from 3. Probably just misspoke.

Honestly really hated the lack of playing time...i get that he was a rookie and its game 1 but still come on kid should've played 10-12 minutes minimum especially with our lack of size.

ThisGuyFawkes wrote:

Mbrahv0528 wrote:

DorO wrote:Matas was bad shooter in college and I don't think he can ever be a good shooter in NBA. Of course, I hope I'm wrong in this realistic view of him.

Huh? I think you're thinking of the wrong player. Matas didn't play college ball and he has sweet stroke... hardly a bad shooter.

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I think we all know that he's talking about his year in GLeague where he shot 27% from 3. Probably just misspoke.

Ah yes, a stat from a 20 game sample. "He can never be a good shooter" because he had a bad shooting stretch over 20 games!