FanPost

Case for Matthews over Batum in the "regular" starting lineup..

This is a bit from an ESPN.com Insider only article today. I thought the data and their observations were spot on and I'm a huge Batum fan. What do the rest of you think? Does the data and Nic's recent struggles convince you that Matthews really is a better option as this team's starting SF? Do you need more time to know for sure?

There were at least a couple of reasons why Nate McMillan chose to replace Nicolas Batum in the starting lineup last week with Wesley Matthews. The most obvious explanation was that McMillan wanted to shake things up with the Blazers in the midst of a losing streak that would reach six games before coming to an end last night at home against the Clippers. However, Matthews' excellent performance as a starter was surely also a factor. Matthews thrived during three starts in place of the injured Brandon Roy and has picked up where he left off since stepping in for Batum.

As a starter, Matthews has averaged 20.9 points per game while topping the 20-point mark five times in seven games. His improvement has been about more than simply increasing his minutes. Tempo-free statistics reflect how much better Matthews has scored in a starting role.

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Matthews has been more aggressive when starting, something that has continued playing alongside Roy instead of serving as the replacement for Portland's leading scorer. Yet he's also managed to improve his efficiency by shooting the ball more accurately both inside and outside the arc. Matthews will have a tough time continuing to make more than 56 percent of his 2s -- he made them at a 52.5 percent clip a season ago -- but his 3-point shooting as a starter is probably more indicative of his true talent. Matthews did boost his numbers slightly as a rookie when he moved into the starting lineup for the Utah Jazz after the trade deadline, but the difference was not nearly as dramatic as it has been this season.

One other reason for starting Matthews is that according to BasketballValue.com the Blazers have outscored opponents by 10.7 points per 100 possessions with that lineup on the floor, as compared to plus-4.3 points per 100 possessions with Batum in the starting five.