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Matas Progress Tracker

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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1061 » by WindyCityBorn » Wed Oct 22, 2025 2:29 am

Indomitable wrote:
dougthonus wrote:
Indomitable wrote:He offers the ability to spread the floor on a team where the shooting is questionable. He will allow Matas to have space if he is capable of shooting at least 35%.


He doesn't create space, no one guards him on the perimeter. He does help with scoring when he's able to shoot well, but he shoots only undefended shots, and he doesn't move around the perimeter, he's undefended because he isn't worth defending. In his last four seasons, he's been out of the league bad as a shooter in 2 of the 4, he's been barely ok if you squint real hard once, and he's been decent once (which to be fair, was last year, and recent data is always the most valuable).

Who is going to help create room for Matas to succeed. Without Coby we are short on 3pt shooting. Vuc who shot 40% will help. I am not saying resign him but use him in an area the Bulls lack.


The answer is no one. Including Vuc, because again, no one guards Vuc on the perimeter. However, the guys who will help him most are Coby White and Kevin Huerter from a spacing perspective. Possibly Ayo, whom has been okay but inconsistent, and over his career, Pat Williams has been much better as a shooter than Vuc over the same time frame (if Pat could ever stay healthy).

But in the end, the Bulls are terrible as a shooting team and aren't going to create a lot of space through the threat of shooting. Instead, we'll have to try to create efficiency through running and getting more plays in early offense.


My point being Matas will not lose shots to Vuc.

If Vuc hits a couple of 3s. Then he creates space.

People with brains understand that this a development year. I am fine with Nikola leaving but I want space on this team.

In my opinion the Matas development is the only thing that really matters. Everything else is just a placeholder.


Giddey is not a placeholder.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1062 » by cruwinas » Thu Oct 23, 2025 5:44 pm

Cooper Flagg debuted in the NBA. Played 32 minutes, together with AD the most on the team. 10 points in the second half, -29 in that department.
Yes, all that hype. If Mavs intend to play him 30+ minutes, against the pros pros in the tough Western Conference, oh boy, he is in for the tough ride. Sure, with Luka's "deportation" to LA Mavs organization is looking for something something but I doubt that in current, modern NBA any rook can come and make immediate impact. Just speed, physicality and talent level of the seasoned pros are something that youngsters, no matter how talented they are, never saw or expected in their lives.
I was p*ssed off at BD for Matas treatment in the first 2/3 of the last season, though now all looks well. Steel is forged under tough conditions. I hope that Matas can become an elite NBA player for the next ~15 years. Everything is there, we need only luck now :)
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1063 » by madvillian » Thu Oct 23, 2025 10:29 pm

cruwinas wrote:Cooper Flagg debuted in the NBA. Played 32 minutes, together with AD the most on the team. 10 points in the second half, -29 in that department.
Yes, all that hype. If Mavs intend to play him 30+ minutes, against the pros pros in the tough Western Conference, oh boy, he is in for the tough ride. Sure, with Luka's "deportation" to LA Mavs organization is looking for something something but I doubt that in current, modern NBA any rook can come and make immediate impact. Just speed, physicality and talent level of the seasoned pros are something that youngsters, no matter how talented they are, never saw or expected in their lives.
I was p*ssed off at BD for Matas treatment in the first 2/3 of the last season, though now all looks well. Steel is forged under tough conditions. I hope that Matas can become an elite NBA player for the next ~15 years. Everything is there, we need only luck now :)


And they have Flagg trying to play PG or at least be a primary handler. So silly. Say what you want about BD but the way he brought a long Matas was almost faultless last year.
dumbell78 wrote:Random comment....Mikal Bridges stroke is dripping right now in summer league. Carry on.


I'll go ahead and make a sig bet that Mikal is better by RPM this year than Zach.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1064 » by Seccci » Yesterday 2:10 am

Just think for a second, be a cooper flagg .. this rookie a top dog ever since high school on their teams, throughout college year... All the stats, all accolades, attention, they are the winner.

Than get drafted to Pro league, sign contract for millions of dollars, all the fans media gassing you up in interviews and promos before your first game.

Than cooper gets to floor and first game he meets this 7'5 french alien that is doing reverse dunks from triple threat stance, between legs behind back step back and one 3pts, up and under, in and out into dunk moves on Anthony Davis haha than he tries to show something, gets stuffed under basket, gets his passes deflected in lane by that insane reach.

Must be humbling. Will see how he reacts


On Matas, what im most excited about is his demeanor. His skills and abilities are not all the way there to dominate like the all nba players, yet.
but don't just go looking for stats or baskets with this guy. Look how he gets them, how he moves both on defense and offense- it's purposeful, intentional effort to affect play any way he can at all times. Teammate pick up his dribble? He immediately cuts. Teammate getting picked on defense? Rotates. Out of position defender? Immediately goes to dribble moves and attacks.
Goes for rebounds too even though he gets still easily beat to them, boxed out easily and need to improve technique. Love the swats and the swagger.
Praying this time it stays with our bulls star through all circumstances unlike with derrick( downfall wasn't just loss of athleticism, but loss of demeanor after injuries)

Also, despite criticism, we all wanted Matas to get minutes early- kudos to Billy Donovan how he handled and approached Matas and his development.( Gives me hope about Noa too)
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1065 » by DropStep » Yesterday 2:19 am

cruwinas wrote:Cooper Flagg debuted in the NBA. Played 32 minutes, together with AD the most on the team. 10 points in the second half, -29 in that department.
Yes, all that hype. If Mavs intend to play him 30+ minutes, against the pros pros in the tough Western Conference, oh boy, he is in for the tough ride. Sure, with Luka's "deportation" to LA Mavs organization is looking for something something but I doubt that in current, modern NBA any rook can come and make immediate impact. Just speed, physicality and talent level of the seasoned pros are something that youngsters, no matter how talented they are, never saw or expected in their lives.
I was p*ssed off at BD for Matas treatment in the first 2/3 of the last season, though now all looks well. Steel is forged under tough conditions. I hope that Matas can become an elite NBA player for the next ~15 years. Everything is there, we need only luck now :)


Well, there was Edgecombe too. But yes, rookies outside of LeBron (and probably even a LeBron on occasion) will have some growing pains. But I think Flagg will still be pretty good this year, especially when Kyrie comes back and the team is more functional, and he doesn't have to try to run the team out of position as a 6'9" rookie. He is so far ahead of where Matas was. 32 minutes in game one - talk about being thrown into the deep end of the pool.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1066 » by Jcool0 » Yesterday 2:26 am

DropStep wrote:
cruwinas wrote:Cooper Flagg debuted in the NBA. Played 32 minutes, together with AD the most on the team. 10 points in the second half, -29 in that department.
Yes, all that hype. If Mavs intend to play him 30+ minutes, against the pros pros in the tough Western Conference, oh boy, he is in for the tough ride. Sure, with Luka's "deportation" to LA Mavs organization is looking for something something but I doubt that in current, modern NBA any rook can come and make immediate impact. Just speed, physicality and talent level of the seasoned pros are something that youngsters, no matter how talented they are, never saw or expected in their lives.
I was p*ssed off at BD for Matas treatment in the first 2/3 of the last season, though now all looks well. Steel is forged under tough conditions. I hope that Matas can become an elite NBA player for the next ~15 years. Everything is there, we need only luck now :)


Well, there was Edgecombe too. But yes, rookies outside of LeBron (and probably even LeBron) will have some growing pains. But I think Flagg will still be pretty good this year, especially when Kyrie comes back and the team is more functional, and he doesn't have to try to run the team out of position as a 6'9" rookie. He is so far ahead of where Matas was. 32 minutes in game one. Talk about being thrown into the deep end of the pool.


Lebron started hot with 46 points in his first two games... But next two games just 15 points.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1067 » by cruwinas » Yesterday 12:29 pm

I'm 100% with Secci on his post.
Matas and Cooper took different paths. Current Matas is as good as he can be, both mentally and physically. I hope Cooper next year will be good too. We need healthy talent in the NBA.
I thought a little bit about rebounds. NBA players in the paint work more like wrestlers than the ballers. Pushing, shoving, holding, grabbing and what's not - no fouls called. Dirty job :) Does Matas need to help team get a defensive rebound? Sure. But maybe not by grinding in the paint.
I checked boxscore of Thunders - Rockets game. OKC had 104 FGAs, 52 (half) 3 point attempts, made 13. 39 misses resulting usually in long rebounds. That's probably the area were Matas should operate. The way he hunts for blocks, he can hunt on long rebounds too.
This 3 point NBA shooting fever was never for my liking. Streetball like. Team defends for 20+ seconds, someone launches prayer shot from the distance, long rebound, offensive team gets it and again - defend, try to get a rebound. Many times teams get more than one "second chance".
Matas can run the floor, shoot, do whatever is needed to score. He defends one on one already very well, very good help defender too. And I could care less if he doesn't get many defensive rebounds. Maybe he should go more for the offensive rebounds. Instead of running back immediately, hit offensive glass. He is good for that.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1068 » by Chi town » Yesterday 9:53 pm

How many games in will it take for Buz to get his first 40 piece?

My bet is first 40 games this season.

https://youtu.be/ieL2nadrsW4?si=ouYgukIIonzZ-wKP
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1069 » by cruwinas » Yesterday 9:57 pm

Chi town wrote:How many games in will it take for Buz to get his first 40 piece?

My bet is first 40 games this season.

https://youtu.be/ieL2nadrsW4?si=ouYgukIIonzZ-wKP


Tomorrow. I'll put 100k on that.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1070 » by Chi town » Yesterday 10:07 pm

cruwinas wrote:
Chi town wrote:How many games in will it take for Buz to get his first 40 piece?

My bet is first 40 games this season.

https://youtu.be/ieL2nadrsW4?si=ouYgukIIonzZ-wKP


Tomorrow. I'll put 100k on that.


Why?

Magic would be the last team I’d bet on for Buz to get 40.
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Re: Matas Progress Tracker 

Post#1071 » by cruwinas » Yesterday 10:43 pm

Chi town wrote:
cruwinas wrote:
Tomorrow. I'll put 100k on that.


Why?

Magic would be the last team I’d bet on for Buz to get 40.


My sense of humor and life perspective is like that. On the other hand, I've seen so many most absurd things come true - who knows when Matas will crack 40? Might be even tomorrow. The sooner - the better. Next step - 50. Right? ;)
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