Matas Progress Tracker

[StephenAA]

*
Oh my word guys:

While getting the number 1 pick was all luck, Pax should get all the credit for drafting Rose. Pat Reilly was doing everything he could to try to manipulate Pax in the press to get him to pick Beasley. No chance...

AK should get all the credit for drafting Matas, as much as he should get all the blowback for drafting Williams...

AA

[burlydee]

The question is, does Matas count as AKME picking good in the draft?

Or he shouldn't get that much credit since Matas fell in his lap?

We do know that Matas did not schedule a workout with the Bulls. So they never had him in pre-draft workouts. Probably because they figured he wouldn't be in position to grab him. So that much is clear.

I am not saying they didn't scout Matas. He was in G league, so plenty of teams obviously saw him. Also AKME has the close ties factor - (Chicago kid, Lithuanian etc.)

But to me Matas should NOT be included in how we measure AKME and his drafting capabilities.

Sometimes decisions are made for you. If the Bulls get lucky lottery balls and we pick Flagg, that doesn't suddenly make AKME great at drafting if you understand what I mean.

This is ridiculous. You're just declaring youre biased. There has never been a case where the #11 pick falls in your lap. There is no such thing as a 11 player draft. We see teams pass on generational talent all the time, especially late. They get credit for the pick. Stop it.

[Jcool0]

Read on Twitter

[Muzbar]

Read on Twitter

What on earth did I just watch...?

[WesPeace]

Oh no, here comes his nickname Lemonade lol..
Will Smith is fan of Bulls, right?

But about Raptors game - so frustrating to see Matas getting just 5 shots in whole game?!? He was wide open on 4-5 shots at 3pt line, but tunnel vision Coby and THT see just the basket.

[DASMACKDOWN]

But about Raptors game - so frustrating to see Matas getting just 5 shots in whole game?!? He was wide open on 4-5 shots at 3pt line, but tunnel vision Coby and THT see just the basket.

It was an odd game in a lot of ways. We were blowing them out but it really wasn't all that exciting. We had a crazy 37 assists but none of the offense really got Matas involved. The ones they tried they whiffed on the alley oops.

[sco]

But about Raptors game - so frustrating to see Matas getting just 5 shots in whole game?!? He was wide open on 4-5 shots at 3pt line, but tunnel vision Coby and THT see just the basket.

It was an odd game in a lot of ways. We were blowing them out but it really wasn't all that exciting. We had a crazy 37 assists but none of the offense really got Matas involved. The ones they tried they whiffed on the alley oops.

Yeah those oops misses could have been great. He had a monster game on Barnes. Good to see him contributing defensively when he can't offensively!

In terms of the # of shots. He's the 4th option (cuz Vuc), and the shots won't always be there for the 4th option guy. Also, Barnes did a good job containing him as well.

[Jstock12]

Oh no, here comes his nickname Lemonade lol..
Will Smith is fan of Bulls, right?

But about Raptors game - so frustrating to see Matas getting just 5 shots in whole game?!? He was wide open on 4-5 shots at 3pt line, but tunnel vision Coby and THT see just the basket.

Lool, as bad as Lil Buzi vert is, I'd still prefer it over Lemonade

[sco]

Last night did remind me why it is so important to trade Vuc. We really need Matas to become our 3rd option next season and Billy cannot be trusted to not run the offense with forcefeeding Vuc.

[Jcool0]

Last night did remind me why it is so important to trade Vuc. We really need Matas to become our 3rd option next season and Billy cannot be trusted to not run the offense with forcefeeding Vuc.

Billy will move Kevin Huerter into that role.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Last night did remind me why it is so important to trade Vuc. We really need Matas to become our 3rd option next season and Billy cannot be trusted to not run the offense with forcefeeding Vuc.

I really wanted to point this out earlier.

We just had our best month the since 2014-2015 season. Vooch during the month of March, averaged a modest total of 15.1pts 8.7rebs
Not only that, but it was his lowest usage rate of the season.

I don't think its a coincidence.

So while having Vooch be in the offense has its pros, its actually not something we should be making a priority. We are a lot better with the offensive primarily with Coby, Giddey, Matas, Huerter etc than high dosage of Vooch.

We mostly need to move away from it, because the defense is the main weakness when he plays.

[DuckIII]

The question is, does Matas count as AKME picking good in the draft?

Or he shouldn't get that much credit since Matas fell in his lap?

Of course it counts because it was in fact a good pick. So you call it that, because it is that. I assume no one debates that Matas at 11 is actually a wonderful pick.

That said, I get your point. When you discuss AK’s strengths and weaknesses objectively it is also true that it appears AK got quite a bit a luck along with the Matas pick. But some other teams right in front of us did too, and they didn’t take him.

At the end of the day the critical thing is did the GM actually take the guy everyone thinks it’s obvious they should have taken, and did it work out? If so, good pick. Because a lot of times that guy does not get taken.

[Ice Man]

At the end of the day the critical thing is did the GM actually take the guy everyone thinks it’s obvious they should have taken, and did it work out? If so, good pick. Because a lot of times that guy does not get taken.

As in 2021, when the Bleacher Report had the Bulls selecting Deni Avdija with our #4 pick. If we fry AKME for not doing that (or picking Haliburton, who was also available), then we should also credit them for choosing Matas.

[DuckIII]

At the end of the day the critical thing is did the GM actually take the guy everyone thinks it’s obvious they should have taken, and did it work out? If so, good pick. Because a lot of times that guy does not get taken.

As in 2021, when the Bleacher Report had the Bulls selecting Deni Avdija with our #4 pick. If we fry AKME for not doing that (or picking Haliburton, who was also available), then we should also credit them for choosing Matas.

Exactly.

[League Circles]

Last night did remind me why it is so important to trade Vuc. We really need Matas to become our 3rd option next season and Billy cannot be trusted to not run the offense with forcefeeding Vuc.

Billy will move Kevin Huerter into that role.

Hopefully he won't do something that crazy. Kevin isn't good enough to be starting for this team as projected, and he's not the right fit in play style.

[Jcool0]

Last night did remind me why it is so important to trade Vuc. We really need Matas to become our 3rd option next season and Billy cannot be trusted to not run the offense with forcefeeding Vuc.

Billy will move Kevin Huerter into that role.

Hopefully he won't do something that crazy. Kevin isn't good enough to be starting for this team as projected, and he's not the right fit in play style.

All joking aside... Based on his level of play right now and the positive he brings as a player. He is the perfect guy as a #3/4 on this team (you wouldn't want him having any bigger of a role). Doesn't need the ball, in theory is a good 3PT shooter, plays mostly mistake free basketball and wont kill you on D. His problem is will be 28 and will need a new contract in a year. Which is why getting his replacement in Kon Knueppel could be smart.

[League Circles]

Billy will move Kevin Huerter into that role.

Hopefully he won't do something that crazy. Kevin isn't good enough to be starting for this team as projected, and he's not the right fit in play style.

All joking aside... Based on his level of play right now and the positive he brings as a player. He is the perfect guy as a #3/4 on this team (you wouldn't want him having any bigger of a role). Doesn't need the ball, in theory is a good 3PT shooter, plays mostly mistake free basketball and wont kill you on D. His problem is will be 28 and will need a new contract in a year. Which is why getting his replacement in Kon Knueppel could be smart.

Huerter is a well rounded player without any significant weaknesses (and without any big strengths), but IMO we need an outstanding defender at the 2 if we're going to proceed with limited-defenders Coby and Giddey at the 1 and 3 spots. Huerter will never be that. Ayo probably won't either. A healthy Ball or an improved Terry have a chance, but we'll probably have to get a guy elsewhere for that role IMO. I like Huerter as part of the rotation next year but probably nothing beyond that.

[jnrjr79]

Hopefully he won't do something that crazy. Kevin isn't good enough to be starting for this team as projected, and he's not the right fit in play style.

All joking aside... Based on his level of play right now and the positive he brings as a player. He is the perfect guy as a #3/4 on this team (you wouldn't want him having any bigger of a role). Doesn't need the ball, in theory is a good 3PT shooter, plays mostly mistake free basketball and wont kill you on D. His problem is will be 28 and will need a new contract in a year. Which is why getting his replacement in Kon Knueppel could be smart.

Huerter is a well rounded player without any significant weaknesses (and without any big strengths), but IMO we need an outstanding defender at the 2 if we're going to proceed with limited-defenders Coby and Giddey at the 1 and 3 spots. Huerter will never be that. Ayo probably won't either. A healthy Ball or an improved Terry have a chance, but we'll probably have to get a guy elsewhere for that role IMO. I like Huerter as part of the rotation next year but probably nothing beyond that.

IMO, Ayo is certainly a solid enough defender at the 2 for these purposes. I just don't know that he'll offer you enough offense to justify a starting role.

I'm also not sure I see Coby as necessarily the 1 moving forward. He may be the 2 next to a more traditional PG (though I like the idea of having Giddey be the actual PG/distributor and having more size next to Coby if possible).

[DASMACKDOWN]

At the end of the day the critical thing is did the GM actually take the guy everyone thinks it’s obvious they should have taken, and did it work out? If so, good pick. Because a lot of times that guy does not get taken.

As in 2021, when the Bleacher Report had the Bulls selecting Deni Avdija with our #4 pick. If we fry AKME for not doing that (or picking Haliburton, who was also available), then we should also credit them for choosing Matas.

I can concede the point. AKME does deserve credit. But I don't think AKME is off the hook by any means.

[Jcool0]

Hopefully he won't do something that crazy. Kevin isn't good enough to be starting for this team as projected, and he's not the right fit in play style.

All joking aside... Based on his level of play right now and the positive he brings as a player. He is the perfect guy as a #3/4 on this team (you wouldn't want him having any bigger of a role). Doesn't need the ball, in theory is a good 3PT shooter, plays mostly mistake free basketball and wont kill you on D. His problem is will be 28 and will need a new contract in a year. Which is why getting his replacement in Kon Knueppel could be smart.

Huerter is a well rounded player without any significant weaknesses (and without any big strengths), but IMO we need an outstanding defender at the 2 if we're going to proceed with limited-defenders Coby and Giddey at the 1 and 3 spots. Huerter will never be that. Ayo probably won't either. A healthy Ball or an improved Terry have a chance, but we'll probably have to get a guy elsewhere for that role IMO. I like Huerter as part of the rotation next year but probably nothing beyond that.

Kevin Huerter's are the types you put in those roles because everyone would love to have Jrue Holiday on there team but find that is not easy. Caruso is great as an ultra 3-D guy, but he comes off the bench for a reason. Everyone thought Mikal Bridges was that but when he got traded he went from this great 3-D guy to a guy who clearly isn't a 1 or 2 and is just average in NY. To use OKC as an example again. Jalen Williams will probably be the #3. But he is going to want a max contract. On Cleveland its probably Darius Garland, but again you are talking about max contract problems & also D issues. Finding an excellent defender who can score is hard just on its own and then figuring out the role and money is even harder. Which is a reason why VJ is projected to be the 4th guy drafted.