Holdahl: Wesley Matthews Not Happy With Shot Mechanics

Blazers.com's Casey Holdahl writes that Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews isn't happy with his shot mechanics.
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"I'm pushing (shots)," said Matthews. "All my shots are long, which means I'm not getting underneath the ball like I usually do. I'm just not shooting it like I'm supposed to."
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"I might be second guessing (shots) a couple of times," said Matthews. "Maybe too eager, pressing a little bit where I feel like I've got to knock this down, I've got to hit this shot, I've got to knock this down. So it takes away from the fact that you do it all the time."
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Matthews is shooting 43.4 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from deep so far this season, both career-lows.

Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge said he has encouraged his teammates to stop second-guessing shots and to play more confidently during this road trip.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter

4 months ago Ben Golliver 18 comments 0 recs |

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"Don't be an idiot."

Changed my life.

I don't always root for an NBA franchise, but when I do, I prefer the Portland Trail Blazers.

by Oh. Em. Gee. on Jan 20, 2012 12:36 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Wes, if you think you know what the problem is then practice doing it right and then do it right in games.

Captain Obvious here.

LET THE LAMONSTER ERA BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by LaMarvelous on Jan 20, 2012 1:06 PM PST reply actions

You make it sound so easy.

I would bet if you think, you can come up with an example of a skill you have developed to the point where a small increment of improvement takes a lot of effort, and that you aren’t able to do machine-perfect every time even though you are completely familiar with what you need to do.

Oh and I’m going to commit a “point forward” here. Making millions of dollars doesn’t change how the brain and nervous system work. Wes has demonstrated that he is both capable of being a very good shooter and that he has an excellent work ethic. He’ll right the ship eventually. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice they're not.

by conspirator5 on Jan 20, 2012 8:56 PM PST up reply actions

the blazers should hire a shooting coach

they had one a few years ago but i believe he left for the Jazz

by Daddygr33nJeans on Jan 20, 2012 1:31 PM PST reply actions

Hersey Hawkins is the Player Development Director...

A career 46% shooter (39% from three).

by clinchmobb on Jan 20, 2012 3:43 PM PST up reply actions

i real shooting coach

by Daddygr33nJeans on Jan 20, 2012 8:37 PM PST up reply actions

Here's the secret...

There is no special ingredient…

by signal_lost on Jan 20, 2012 1:32 PM PST reply actions

Seems there needs to be more ganja, team is uptight.

by Doganpc on Jan 20, 2012 1:58 PM PST reply actions

er tense probably better word there

by Doganpc on Jan 20, 2012 2:00 PM PST up reply actions

Sounds like he is in his own head

big time

The tensions are so high because the stakes are so low!

by tylercomp on Jan 20, 2012 2:30 PM PST reply actions

One difference is that Matthews is often not getting the ball until after a play has already broken down and the shot clock has almost expired

He has become the guy to bail the team out of it’s poorly executed offensive sets. That’s bound to bring down the averages.

by heybabydrinkyourmilk on Jan 20, 2012 2:32 PM PST reply actions

Personally im happy to know hes at least putting some real thought into this

instead of just saying something like “im just off right now” well obviously you are, but at least if he is trying to narrow down the issue he can start fixing it.

by Kazper on Jan 20, 2012 2:49 PM PST reply actions

This is what I expect of Matthews

Who by all reports is a hard worker and student of the game. He seems driven to improve and perform so it is not surprising that he is very self-aware and tries to diagnose the problem… perhaps too self-aware and in his own head.

This combined with LA’s interview about Blazers second guessing themselves reminds me of Bill Simmon’s “irrational confidence” concept… players w/ a sense of confidence in their abilities that is absolutely detached from actual performance or reality. Jamal Crawford actually got a mention for being a irrational confidence guy

by odiek on Jan 20, 2012 3:17 PM PST reply actions