Someone show Matt Thomas some film of Staukis (sp?). Catch and shoot, young man. Don't hesitate. Don't think anything but catch and shoot. If you are on the floor, you are open.
Someone show Matt...
- Thread starter im4cyclones
- Start date
I think that Matt gets so much criticism because every shot he throws up looks like it should go in, and his shot is so pure that we all expect every shot he takes to go in. When that doesn't happen, it's disappointing. I've been quite impressed with his overall game so far this year, and would put his relative (he's shooting 30%+!) struggles down to confidence and lack of experience at this level. The kid is a stunner.
Not bashing Matt at all. Love his stroke. Just hesitates too much. Understandable for a young player. But you play for a coach who will always let you chuck it. So chuck it. Catch and shoot.
Haven't seen this. You sure you know the difference between Matt and Melvin?
Yeah, one is Canadian, and one is from Wisconsin. There are subtle differences.
Always hope. Look at Melvin as a freshman vs now. Just wish he would relax and have fun out there.
Stauskas is also about 3" taller and looks quite a bit longer than MT to me. Easier to get your shot off
A lot of times Matt does exactly the right thing and he pump fakes because he knows he's not quite open enough and it will likely get blocked.
But when he pump fakes and gets his guy off his feet, which happens quite often actually, then I'd like to see him put it on the floor and drive it. I think he has a MUCH better ability to drive than he thinks he does. If nothing else, drive it into the paint and dish it out to someone else when they collapse on you.
But he has a great ability to drive in to about 10 feet, rise up, and hit that jumper too. I've seen him do it a lot. But instead, he pump fakes, gets his defender off their feet, and then just passes it right away around the perimeter to someone else. He needs to take advantage of that situation IMO and make that defender pay for leaving their feet.
He will in time. And eventually, the defenders will have to lay off a bit more to respect his ability to drive it past them, and then he can hit that open 3.
But when he pump fakes and gets his guy off his feet, which happens quite often actually, then I'd like to see him put it on the floor and drive it. I think he has a MUCH better ability to drive than he thinks he does. If nothing else, drive it into the paint and dish it out to someone else when they collapse on you.
But he has a great ability to drive in to about 10 feet, rise up, and hit that jumper too. I've seen him do it a lot. But instead, he pump fakes, gets his defender off their feet, and then just passes it right away around the perimeter to someone else. He needs to take advantage of that situation IMO and make that defender pay for leaving their feet.
He will in time. And eventually, the defenders will have to lay off a bit more to respect his ability to drive it past them, and then he can hit that open 3.
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Monte Morris has been great, barely turns it over as a freshman. Matt will be good but I agree he hesitates a ton and I wish he'd just shoot some more. I think he worries about if it's a bad shot but there's been lots of times when he's open and tries dribbling instead. His basketball IQ is awesome and he'll be good he's just had a poor freshman year, gotta adjust. Also, naz has been pretty non existent lately. Monte is the 5th best player on this team and it's not close. The only time our offense has looked somewhat okay in conference play is when monte is running point
Jesus H another one of these threads? Raise your hand if at 18-19 you were a starting division I shooting guard for a team in a major conference? Right. Okay. Well, with that established, how would anyone here know what MT should or shouldn't do? Give it a rest. Struggling or not, he's our guy. Piling on isn't helping anyone. Not even Fred had it down after 17 games.
Rant over. Sorry, I'm just tired of seeing a new one of these pop up every other day.
Rant over. Sorry, I'm just tired of seeing a new one of these pop up every other day.