Yes. I think after seeing how well the team performed in the playoffs, he knows that he can be a difference maker, and he already believes in himself a ton on both sides of the floor. I have a feeling he’s going to take his recovery seriously and come out next season with something to prove.
SourBerry1425
His effort was much better this year, and he’s athletic and strong enough to be a really good defender, he honestly looked pretty good right before he got injured, Rick was finally trusting him more and even gave him the Luka matchup a few times and he did fairly well. However, navigating around screens and off ball defense are still a problem, kid just has concentration issues. You see it in press conferences too, he kinda zones off. I think that’s the stuff that gets better with age, so hopefully he ends up being fine. What I really want him to do is make quick decisions on offense and to catch and shoot instead of hesitating.
kitterskills
Yes, he’s the 🐐
Crockpot-Ron
Honestly he has A LOT of people to push him. He has to beat out nesmith or nembhard for a starting role, which is damn near impossible. He has to be an extremely good defender and all of our guards/wings play with effort. Sheppard, nembhard, nesmith, walker, TJM all compete with effort. I see Mathurin as a highly competitive player that will work right in there and be on the same page. Really excited to see the team after another offseason.
Lebron didnt win a ship until 28 Jordan didnt win a ship until 28 Jokic didnt win a ship until 28
And the list goes on. Keep our core together, and lets keep building what we have.
Klumber
I know people will hate this bit of analysis, but it is my biggest gripe/concern with Mathurin and it needs to be said.
The best guard defenders (and he’s a guard, whether you think he should play at the 3 or not) are the smartest players out there. Jrue Holiday is like a basketball savant, you analyse his game and you see a guy that can identify weaknesses on the fly, react and anticipate whilst also being physically tough.
SGA isn’t just an effort guy, he plays with full concentration all game, at both ends. Ant Edwards is beginning to develop that same attitude as we saw in the Nuggets series.
In the past guys like Tony Allen and our own Artest were superb at reading the game and understanding what was required to stop a guy or at least slow them down.
Mathurin doesn’t have that level of intelligence. That isn’t to say he is unintelligent, it is an observation based on his processing time when on the court and that is his biggest weakness. I think he can become a solid enough defender, but I’ve given up on the notion that he is going to be a defensive beast.
Et Bennedict, je sais tu collecte la billietes, I will absolutely love it when you prove me wrong.
Obi2
I hope so. But really good defenders tend to be that way due to smarts and intangibles. That is something not typically developed in your 20s but before. Is it possible, yes, is it likely… no. He might become manageable on D, but likely not stout. Still hope it happens.
Dealius
He will elevate his game year in and year out. This dude is hungry and he ain’t afraid of anyone or any challenge. The story his college coach told about how Mathurin would hang out in the coaches office 24/7, picking their brains on how to be better is who this dude is. He has the mamba mentality and his future is bright 😎
DosZappos
NBA defense is mainly effort and scheme. I think he can be a good defender, but it’ll take more of a team effort
Cautious-Ad-9554
Maybe. I honestly don’t think it is his biggest problem though. Despite occasionally having great games and having a lot of offensive tools IMO he’s looked negative on that end more often then not.
BubaTflubas
I hope so.
Here’s the concerning thing. According to Tony East and CC and stats, Shep was a better on ball defenders this year than Mathurin has been. That includes the playoffs, where the opponents that Sheppard was guarding were more often elite players.
On ball defense is Mathurin’s best defensive option because of his tendency to ball watch. And Sheppard as a rookie performed that task at a much better level. So now it’s Nesmith, Nembhard, and Sheppard ahead of him on defense with a supposed defensive prospect in Walker behind him hitting 3pters at a % that would impress anyone.
In a lineup with Rese, Nembhard and now Pascal his offensive creation is less important than his defense. It’s going to take some real effort from Math and some real gumption from the front office for Mathurin to not be our first piece in a trade sooner than later.
hacky_potter
I honestly think his defense improving is all we need. His offense is already good enough for a third option and he brings some wing rebounding and the ability to get to the line that we just don’t really have. Sure his shot being more consistent would be great but I would want his defense to be his prime focus this offseason
symphonic9000
He turns 22 a week from today. Absolutely.
pacersnz
I truly believe it will, but will it be enough to make up for the lack of size at 6’5?
13 Comments
Yes. I think after seeing how well the team performed in the playoffs, he knows that he can be a difference maker, and he already believes in himself a ton on both sides of the floor. I have a feeling he’s going to take his recovery seriously and come out next season with something to prove.
His effort was much better this year, and he’s athletic and strong enough to be a really good defender, he honestly looked pretty good right before he got injured, Rick was finally trusting him more and even gave him the Luka matchup a few times and he did fairly well. However, navigating around screens and off ball defense are still a problem, kid just has concentration issues. You see it in press conferences too, he kinda zones off. I think that’s the stuff that gets better with age, so hopefully he ends up being fine. What I really want him to do is make quick decisions on offense and to catch and shoot instead of hesitating.
Yes, he’s the 🐐
Honestly he has A LOT of people to push him. He has to beat out nesmith or nembhard for a starting role, which is damn near impossible. He has to be an extremely good defender and all of our guards/wings play with effort. Sheppard, nembhard, nesmith, walker, TJM all compete with effort. I see Mathurin as a highly competitive player that will work right in there and be on the same page. Really excited to see the team after another offseason.
Lebron didnt win a ship until 28
Jordan didnt win a ship until 28
Jokic didnt win a ship until 28
And the list goes on. Keep our core together, and lets keep building what we have.
I know people will hate this bit of analysis, but it is my biggest gripe/concern with Mathurin and it needs to be said.
The best guard defenders (and he’s a guard, whether you think he should play at the 3 or not) are the smartest players out there. Jrue Holiday is like a basketball savant, you analyse his game and you see a guy that can identify weaknesses on the fly, react and anticipate whilst also being physically tough.
SGA isn’t just an effort guy, he plays with full concentration all game, at both ends. Ant Edwards is beginning to develop that same attitude as we saw in the Nuggets series.
In the past guys like Tony Allen and our own Artest were superb at reading the game and understanding what was required to stop a guy or at least slow them down.
Mathurin doesn’t have that level of intelligence. That isn’t to say he is unintelligent, it is an observation based on his processing time when on the court and that is his biggest weakness. I think he can become a solid enough defender, but I’ve given up on the notion that he is going to be a defensive beast.
Et Bennedict, je sais tu collecte la billietes, I will absolutely love it when you prove me wrong.
I hope so. But really good defenders tend to be that way due to smarts and intangibles. That is something not typically developed in your 20s but before. Is it possible, yes, is it likely… no. He might become manageable on D, but likely not stout. Still hope it happens.
He will elevate his game year in and year out. This dude is hungry and he ain’t afraid of anyone or any challenge. The story his college coach told about how Mathurin would hang out in the coaches office 24/7, picking their brains on how to be better is who this dude is. He has the mamba mentality and his future is bright 😎
NBA defense is mainly effort and scheme. I think he can be a good defender, but it’ll take more of a team effort
Maybe. I honestly don’t think it is his biggest problem though. Despite occasionally having great games and having a lot of offensive tools IMO he’s looked negative on that end more often then not.
I hope so.
Here’s the concerning thing. According to Tony East and CC and stats, Shep was a better on ball defenders this year than Mathurin has been. That includes the playoffs, where the opponents that Sheppard was guarding were more often elite players.
On ball defense is Mathurin’s best defensive option because of his tendency to ball watch. And Sheppard as a rookie performed that task at a much better level. So now it’s Nesmith, Nembhard, and Sheppard ahead of him on defense with a supposed defensive prospect in Walker behind him hitting 3pters at a % that would impress anyone.
In a lineup with Rese, Nembhard and now Pascal his offensive creation is less important than his defense. It’s going to take some real effort from Math and some real gumption from the front office for Mathurin to not be our first piece in a trade sooner than later.
I honestly think his defense improving is all we need. His offense is already good enough for a third option and he brings some wing rebounding and the ability to get to the line that we just don’t really have. Sure his shot being more consistent would be great but I would want his defense to be his prime focus this offseason
He turns 22 a week from today. Absolutely.
I truly believe it will, but will it be enough to make up for the lack of size at 6’5?