Matas Progress Tracker

[WesPeace]

So is anyone still wholly unimpressed by Matas and very upset that the Bulls drafted him at 11?

I think majority of us were happy with the pick, potential, size, BBIQ, attitude - all was there.

[Andi Obst]

I was just on nba draft subreddit and there's a thread asking if Cody Williams is having the worse rookie season of any lottery pick (that got minutes). The consensus was yes.

It's either him or Salaun. I'd probably take Salaun because he got picked even higher. Both look like horrendous picks.

[Muzbar]

I was just on nba draft subreddit and there's a thread asking if Cody Williams is having the worse rookie season of any lottery pick (that got minutes). The consensus was yes.

It's either him or Salaun. I'd probably take Salaun because he got picked even higher. Both look like horrendous picks.

They put up the stats for both and Cody Williams was actually worse.

[eierluke]

Good physical potential
good mindset and
good developement
a steal at #11.

He has to enter next season with a better conditioning (like most rookies).
Many aspects of his game will develop with just a little more experiance anyway.
Rebounding however won't come along itself. He needs a rebounding coach and needs to learn it sooner rather than later.

[sco]

I was just on nba draft subreddit and there's a thread asking if Cody Williams is having the worse rookie season of any lottery pick (that got minutes). The consensus was yes.

It's either him or Salaun. I'd probably take Salaun because he got picked even higher. Both look like horrendous picks.

Good points. That said, do we have Lauri to thank in some small way for Utah not drafting a similar player?

[sco]

Good physical potential
good mindset and
good developement
a steal at #11.

He has to enter next season with a better conditioning (like most rookies).
Many aspects of his game will develop with just a little more experiance anyway.
Rebounding however won't come along itself. He needs a rebounding coach and needs to learn it sooner rather than later.

Good point; however, I wonder if there are that many more rebounds to have with Giddey and a C gobbling them up?

[WindyCityBorn]

Good physical potential
good mindset and
good developement
a steal at #11.

He has to enter next season with a better conditioning (like most rookies).
Many aspects of his game will develop with just a little more experiance anyway.
Rebounding however won't come along itself. He needs a rebounding coach and needs to learn it sooner rather than later.

Good point; however, I wonder if there are that many more rebounds to have with Giddey and a C gobbling them up?

Rebounding numbers will be skewed a bit when you have perimeter player in Giddey grabbing 8 a game. I’d like to see 15/6 from Matas next season. That would show progression towards being a star.

[GoBlue72391]

fair enough my point was that if you have enough time to babble on for 3492u43274328 posts you have enough time to actually sit down for a second and understand the person talking to you instead of adding another 40 posts to your handkerchief.

Well I don't understand you, so maybe I need another 3492u43274328 posts until I do.

3492u43274328+2 apparently

Re-read but admit you were wrong about Williams and Buzelis. Or post another 2000 times.

You want me to admit I was wrong about Williams? Lol what? I've been one of his biggest doubters pretty much from day one. You got the wrong guy, pal. And I've been a big Matas guy since we drafted him.

Don't drink and post.

[GoBlue72391]

Anyway...

I was just on nba draft subreddit and there's a thread asking if Cody Williams is having the worse rookie season of any lottery pick (that got minutes). The consensus was yes.

I was certain Utah was going to pick Buzelis, I was so happy when they picked Williams.

Not to self: Do NOT draft young, prototypical-sized SF/PFs named Williams in the lottery.

[GoBlue72391]

I was just on nba draft subreddit and there's a thread asking if Cody Williams is having the worse rookie season of any lottery pick (that got minutes). The consensus was yes.

It's either him or Salaun. I'd probably take Salaun because he got picked even higher. Both look like horrendous picks.

Good points. That said, do we have Lauri to thank in some small way for Utah not drafting a similar player?

Probably not. They drafted Filipowski in the 2nd round and they'll draft Flagg if they get the chance.

[GoBlue72391]

Matas seems to more or less "have it all"; skill-wise, athletically, and mentally. He just needs to continue to refine his skills, become more consistent, gain experience, and add some muscle. There's not much he can't do on an NBA court, though he may never be elite in any one area, other than perhaps athleticism/fluidity for his size.

He can shoot, but he'll probably never be a shooter, shooter. He can handle, but he'll probably never be a true creator. He can defend, but he'll probably never be a lockdown guy.

I still see him as sort of a combo of Lauri/Kirilenko. Worse offensively than Lauri and worse defensively than AK, but still potential to be pretty good on both ends. He's more athletic and has a better handle than Lauri, but is nowhere near the shooter or pure scorer he is. He's a good shotblocker with a lot of potential on that end, but will likely never be the all-around lockdown 1-5 guarding DPOY candidate that AK was.

- Optimistic outlook: 2-4 all-star appearances. 3rd best player on a contender. Maybe like 18-21 and 7-9 with good defense and league average to slightly above efficiency. Vaguely Shawn Marion esque, maybe.

- Realistic outlook: Good starter, glue guy role player and versatile defender. A better Tyrus Thomas with a 3 ball and a brain. There's probably a better comp out there but I'm tired and can't think of one.

- Pessimistic outlook: Poor starter/bench gadget guy who shows flashes but never puts it all together. Take your pick from the dozens of athletic, lengthy, defensive-minded forwards who flashed but never developed over the years.

The wildcard is his attitude/mindset, which could increase his ceiling beyond his skill/physical limits ala Jimmy Butler. The opposite of Pat.

[sco]

Matas seems to more or less "have it all"; skill-wise, athletically, and mentally. He just needs to continue to refine his skills, become more consistent, gain experience, and add some muscle. There's not much he can't do on an NBA court, though he may never be elite in any one area, other than perhaps athleticism/fluidity for his size.

He can shoot, but he'll probably never be a shooter, shooter. He can handle, but he'll probably never be a true creator. He can defend, but he'll probably never be a lockdown guy.

I still see him as sort of a combo of Lauri/Kirilenko. Worse offensively than Lauri and worse defensively than AK, but still potential to be pretty good on both ends. He's more athletic and has a better handle than Lauri, but is nowhere near the shooter or pure scorer he is. He's a good shotblocker with a lot of potential on that end, but will likely never be the all-around lockdown 1-5 guarding DPOY candidate that AK was.

- Optimistic outlook: 2-4 all-star appearances. 3rd best player on a contender. Maybe like 18-21 and 7-9 with good defense and league average to slightly above efficiency. Vaguely Shawn Marion esque, maybe.

- Realistic outlook: Good starter, glue guy role player and versatile defender. A better Tyrus Thomas with a 3 ball and a brain. There's probably a better comp out there but I'm tired and can't think of one.

- Pessimistic outlook: Poor starter/bench gadget guy who shows flashes but never puts it all together. Take your pick from the dozens of athletic, lengthy, defensive-minded forwards who flashed but never developed over the years.

The wildcard is his attitude/mindset, which could increase his ceiling beyond his skill/physical limits ala Jimmy Butler. The opposite of Pat.

I think you forgot the word "Really" before Optimistic outlook.

Here's a question, is Matas already the best caucasian American PF in the NBA?

[DuallyNoted]

Well I don't understand you, so maybe I need another 3492u43274328 posts until I do.

3492u43274328+2 apparently

Re-read but admit you were wrong about Williams and Buzelis. Or post another 2000 times.

You want me to admit I was wrong about Williams? Lol what? I've been one of his biggest doubters pretty much from day one. You got the wrong guy, pal. And I've been a big Matas guy since we drafted him.

Don't drink and post.

yea. i don't know if i disagree or agree with you but i'm sure you have 900 posts to contradict whatever i'd say anyways.

[NecessaryEvil]

Read on Twitter

[Chi town]

Matas seems to more or less "have it all"; skill-wise, athletically, and mentally. He just needs to continue to refine his skills, become more consistent, gain experience, and add some muscle. There's not much he can't do on an NBA court, though he may never be elite in any one area, other than perhaps athleticism/fluidity for his size.

He can shoot, but he'll probably never be a shooter, shooter. He can handle, but he'll probably never be a true creator. He can defend, but he'll probably never be a lockdown guy.

I still see him as sort of a combo of Lauri/Kirilenko. Worse offensively than Lauri and worse defensively than AK, but still potential to be pretty good on both ends. He's more athletic and has a better handle than Lauri, but is nowhere near the shooter or pure scorer he is. He's a good shotblocker with a lot of potential on that end, but will likely never be the all-around lockdown 1-5 guarding DPOY candidate that AK was.

- Optimistic outlook: 2-4 all-star appearances. 3rd best player on a contender. Maybe like 18-21 and 7-9 with good defense and league average to slightly above efficiency. Vaguely Shawn Marion esque, maybe.

- Realistic outlook: Good starter, glue guy role player and versatile defender. A better Tyrus Thomas with a 3 ball and a brain. There's probably a better comp out there but I'm tired and can't think of one.

- Pessimistic outlook: Poor starter/bench gadget guy who shows flashes but never puts it all together. Take your pick from the dozens of athletic, lengthy, defensive-minded forwards who flashed but never developed over the years.

The wildcard is his attitude/mindset, which could increase his ceiling beyond his skill/physical limits ala Jimmy Butler. The opposite of Pat.

His FT % would suggest he could become an elite shooter and he takes contested 3s without blinking. I think he will become a high volume above average 3pt shooter. 6+ 3s at 38%.

I agree his mindset if what separates him. He’s fearless and care free but goes hard and loves the game. Always smiling. Reminds me of Curry. He closes with the out the baby to bed gesture and not the slashing your throat gesture. That’s Buz.

[Chi town]

Good physical potential
good mindset and
good developement
a steal at #11.

He has to enter next season with a better conditioning (like most rookies).
Many aspects of his game will develop with just a little more experiance anyway.
Rebounding however won't come along itself. He needs a rebounding coach and needs to learn it sooner rather than later.

Good point; however, I wonder if there are that many more rebounds to have with Giddey and a C gobbling them up?

Rebounding numbers will be skewed a bit when you have perimeter player in Giddey grabbing 8 a game. I’d like to see 15/6 from Matas next season. That would show progression towards being a star.

Giddey been grabbing 10 Rebs per game. If we add a defensive C they will get Rebs too.

I like 15 and 6. Most important will be his 3 ball and FT rate. Just like Coby and Giddey getting FTs changes the game big time. I’d like see see Buz get 4FTs per game. He’s getting 2.5 since ASB.

[cocktailswith_2short]

Progressing well .

[Chi town]

Progressing well .

This kid’s ceiling keeps rising.

Honestly, think he has All NBA potential. Ridiculous ceiling.

Not many rookies putting up crazy efficient near 30 pt games against NBA playoff vets like Lakers and Mavs.

[Ice Man]

Matas has "high ceiling" written all over him. Well, maybe not literally ... but I would be surprised if he doesn't make an All Star team. The first time I've said that about a Bulls rookie since Lauri.

[CROBulls]

So is anyone still wholly unimpressed by Matas and very upset that the Bulls drafted him at 11?

I think majority of us were happy with the pick, potential, size, BBIQ, attitude - all was there.

There is no single person on this board or in that draft thread who was unimpressed by Bulls getting Matas at 11. It was like winning lottery and moving into top 4. Albeit in a weak draft but still moving up.

Matas was at one point mocked to go #1 out HS. One year in a G-league shooting bit weaker from perimeter doesnt change perspective of that prospect.