Palmer: Blazers G Wesley Matthews One Of NBA's 5 Most Underrated

Chris Palmer of ESPN.com (Insider) writes that Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews is one of the five most underrated players in the NBA.
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Matthews has been so consistently overlooked that the idea of him being underrated might not be what it once was, since it's mentioned so often. It's clear why that is when you actually look at what he does. His scoring and rebounding averages have steadily risen the past two seasons, and he's making his name as a hard-nosed defender. There are few shooters who are more accurate from all over the floor than this third-year shooting guard. In fact he's one of just three players who's shooting at least 47 percent from the field, 38 percent from 3 and 87 percent form the line (Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers are the others), which all adds up to the best true shooting percentage in the Blazers' starting lineup.

Another huge plus to Matthews' game: He doesn't make mistakes. Among players averaging at least 33.4 mpg, Matthews turns the ball over the least at 1.2 times per game.
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4 months ago tyeforshee 15 comments 1 recs |

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Why is he under rated?

He’s is appreciated for his skills, but he’s still developing. He has a chance to improve on every aspect of the game and become a bona fide star.

by oregonslee on Jan 13, 2012 10:44 AM PST reply actions

He's underrated from a national perspective

When people outside the NW talk about the Blazers, they rarely mention Matthews. It’s Aldridge, Wallace, a bit of Crawford and Batum, even a smidgen of Camby and Felton. Only when they are covering a Blazers game and Matthews does something do I hear national talking heads mention Matthews.

by Rodney Gustafson on Jan 13, 2012 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

Still shocked he has developed into

such a good shooter. Watched him for four years at Marquette and was convinced he was a 3 and D guy at best in the nba. Very nice to see the effort has paid in off in developing a very respectable and diverse game.

by bunk moreland on Jan 13, 2012 11:39 AM PST up reply actions

He's overlooked because he's not a great athlete (i.e. leaper)

and his awkward handle prevents him from doing great looking basketball stuff. The only time he hits a highlight is when he nails a three, so to the casual fan he appears to be one-dimensional. In short, he’s underrated because he does everything well except for the flashy stuff that gets you noticed.

by LaughingJon on Jan 13, 2012 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

I don't know....

He hustles, especially when his shot is falling, but 3 rebs and 1 ast in starter’s minutes does not = “does everything well” .

He does two things well: He shoots accurately, and he plays hard defensively.

by byronirvin on Jan 13, 2012 2:08 PM PST up reply actions

I like Matthews...

…and with a lot of attention on Wallace, Felton and Crawford and Batum, I think even locally he tends to be if not underrated, somewhat overlooked. His play has been good and consistent. What I like about Matthews is his effort seems consistent. If he’s struggling in an area? He seems to keep working in others. I’m glad to see him getting some more attention. He deserves it.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Jan 13, 2012 12:02 PM PST reply actions

Matthews doesn't seem under-rated to me.

He’s an efficient shooter, and a good defender who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. A very good role player, but no all-star. I like Wes, but he doesn’t create much for himself or others, and he is a poor rebounder for his size.
Despite what this writer says, he hasn’t improved his rebounding rate over his three seasons — grabbing about 3.5 per 36 min each season. After a good start on the boards this season, he has regressed in that department. The only changes I see are that he is shooting more and passing less (1.3 asts/36 min this season vs. 2 for his career.

by byronirvin on Jan 13, 2012 12:18 PM PST reply actions

Another huge plus to Matthews’ game: He doesn’t make mistakes. Among players averaging at least 33.4 mpg, Matthews turns the ball over the least at 1.2 times per game.

I was surprised by this stat since Matthews’ “issues” on the fast break are so salient. I suppose those are more a case of missed opportunity than turnovers.

by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Jan 13, 2012 12:20 PM PST reply actions

Completely agree with this article

Wes is constantly overlooked, is only in his 3rd year in the league (!), and if I’m not mistaken is our second leading scorer going back to last year and so far this year.

No one (NO ONE) talks about Wes as a potential 20 ppg guy, and maybe he’ll never be that, but 16 ppg in your 3rd year while shooting at a good clip and playing hard D is nothing to sneeze at. Forget that he’s undrafted, this is impressive period. I think he’s so solid that he just isn’t much of a topic for discussion.

"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'

by sammymohawk on Jan 13, 2012 12:29 PM PST reply actions

Looking at his numbers are pretty impressive

I know so many people during games say how inconsistant he is, and streaky. How he needs to learn how to handle the ball better. However, how many of us really look at the fact that hes only in his 3rd years this year. Hes still a young kid and already a solid solid player.

by Kazper on Jan 13, 2012 1:27 PM PST reply actions

As opposed to Crash, who I love BTW, Matthews is a consistent finisher around the basket.

I think Blazer fans in general continually overrate Batum and underrate Matthews.

The cake was a lie.

by xedubx on Jan 14, 2012 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

I think around here he is overrated and

everywhere else he is underrated.

Just like around here we overrate everyone from Joel Przybilla, to Steve Blake down to other guys like Outlaw, Webster, and Rudy

by Cjones10 on Jan 13, 2012 4:05 PM PST reply actions

And Batum is way overrated around here.

Knew I forgot one.

by Cjones10 on Jan 13, 2012 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

this post sounds like the typical blazers post with all respect…..the ones that are so desperate to reach for the positive!!! searching just for a little props for our players….like we are so overlooked and we really are better then the loss we just had……..one is only as good as one yrs record…not 7 or 8 games in Mathews is not underrated hes an ok player but thats it,,,,,hes just ok…now a superstar….our guards would not even be in rotation if they played for the clippers…so please…I love our team but come on with over hype!!!!

by Danvegas on Jan 13, 2012 9:05 PM PST reply actions