Time to get more from Matt...

[dukehokie]

What I still haven't seen is a legit reason WHY anyone is disappointed in Matt.

It sounds to me that Matt has fallen victim to Nolan Smith syndrome. The old, Duke sophomore to junior year jump. Hell, I even anticipated Matt being a 2nd team All-ACC pick.

But looking at the season, we should have known. Matt is who he is and he always will be. He's spot up shooter and defender by trade. Would we want his percentages to higher, sure and do we want his stats to be a bit better, why not, but when your game is to attempt low percentage shots, you have to accept ebbs and flows.

Matt has played how he was prepared to play, because of that I can't be disappointed.

I understand wanting more from a player, and no one is above a little criticism, but the tonality of this thread that Matt somehow held this team back and if he sees meaningful minutes next season, he'll ruin what is 100% a lock to be a natty title year (right), to me that's what's wrong. Not because it's mean to Matt, but because he won't be called upon to be a main scoring cog on this team or the coming team. No supplemental player has ever cost a team anything.

 

[Get Nasty]

What I still haven't seen is a legit reason WHY anyone is disappointed in Matt.

It sounds to me that Matt has fallen victim to Nolan Smith syndrome. The old, Duke sophomore to junior year jump. Hell, I even anticipated Matt being a 2nd team All-ACC pick.

But looking at the season, we should have known. Matt is who he is and he always will be. He's spot up shooter and defender by trade. Would we want his percentages to higher, sure and do we want his stats to be a bit better, why not, but when your game is to attempt low percentage shots, you have to accept ebbs and flows.

Matt has played how he was prepared to play, because of that I can't be disappointed.

I understand wanting more from a player, and no one is above a little criticism, but the tonality of this thread that Matt somehow held this team back and if he sees meaningful minutes next season, he'll ruin what is 100% a lock to be a natty title year (right), to me that's what's wrong. Not because it's mean to Matt, but because he won't be called upon to be a main scoring cog on this team or the coming team. No supplemental player has ever cost a team anything.

Nolan Smith Syndrome? Nolan was a stud his jr year averaging 17 ppg? The issue with Nolan was why he didn't play more his frosh/soph seasons (Greg Paulus). K has a knack for playing a jr/senior that's not very good because he knows what he'll get vs a talented frosh/soph that's still developing.

Matt is a shooting guard that struggles to get the ball in the hoop. His defense has been average at best this year because he's had to guard athletic players at times. His rebounding has been abysmal, and that's not just the UNC game. He's made more mistakes this year than last because he's needed to do more than just wait in the corner for someone to create an open 3 for him. He's also made poor end of games shot selections where duke had a chance to tie it or win it early/mid acc season.

With all the negatives, you definitely see amazing chemistry and desire to win with this team and I believe Matt plays a big role in that and preparing the team.

I think i've said all I need to say on this topic.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

I don't understand why this is so hard to figure out.
If Matt is your 1st 2nd or even 3rd option on offense, he and the team are gonna struggle mightily.
If Matt can space the floor and allow other people to attack the basket, while hitting open 3's when the ball is kicked out to him, than you are golden.

I watched Matt play in the Peach Jam his jr year of high school, and he was a floor spacer then. It's his best role, by a mile.

 

[Anon1728003274]

Great leader/role player and when he goes Gonzaga its gravy! Love Matt to death and think he will be a terrific coach someday perhaps...

 

[GAAP_rivals]

Nolan Smith Syndrome? Nolan was a stud his jr year averaging 17 ppg? The issue with Nolan was why he didn't play more his frosh/soph seasons (Greg Paulus).

Yes, Nolan Smith syndrome. Nolan was expected to break out his sophomore year, but did not. He was certainly given the chance, as he started 21 of 34 games. He came off the bench at the end of the season.

 

[crazyduke3]

But looking at the season, we should have known. Matt is who he is and he always will be. He's spot up shooter and defender by trade. Would we want his percentages to higher, sure and do we want his stats to be a bit better, why not, but when your game is to attempt low percentage shots, you have to accept ebbs and flows.

.

I think this is my only issue with the whole.... whatever Idk. Why can't his game evolve? Why can't he add one or two more dimensions? Especially if as you've stated he essentially only has two reliable items in his fray. He's at the best basketball program in America and his third year in. Isn't that part of what we look for and hope for with players, that their game grows and blossoms, isn't that likely the most enjoyable part of college b-ball (outside of seeing our guys become outstanding men) watching a 4 year player game develop over time? This isn't to say Matt has done nothing for us this year, because he has been vital, I do believe it.

But I think among the biggest issues of this team is that, as stated, he only has two true things going for him. We start two guys, arguably three that this is essentially the case - DT; drive to the rim and defense. Matt Jones: 3 Point shot and defense. Marshall: Rebounding and dunks and layups.

 

[crazyduke3]

Incoming 20+ point game for matt after this thread lol.

 

[dukehokie]

I think this is my only issue with the whole.... whatever Idk. Why can't his game evolve? Why can't he add one or two more dimensions? Especially if as you've stated he essentially only has two reliable items in his fray. He's at the best basketball program in America and his third year in. Isn't that part of what we look for and hope for with players, that their game grows and blossoms, isn't that likely the most enjoyable part of college b-ball (outside of seeing our guys become outstanding men) watching a 4 year player game develop over time? This isn't to say Matt has done nothing for us this year, because he has been vital, I do believe it.

But I think among the biggest issues of this team is that, as stated, he only has two true things going for him. We start two guys, arguably three that this is essentially the case - DT; drive to the rim and defense. Matt Jones: 3 Point shot and defense. Marshall: Rebounding and dunks and layups.

I'd rather Matt master his shooting and D first before he adds other dimensions. If his role is truly shooting and defense, have him bring his percentages up, speed up his release and work on his side to side agility. Master that then move on.

 

[dukehokie]

Nolan Smith Syndrome? Nolan was a stud his jr year averaging 17 ppg? The issue with Nolan was why he didn't play more his frosh/soph seasons (Greg Paulus). K has a knack for playing a jr/senior that's not very good because he knows what he'll get vs a talented frosh/soph that's still developing.

Matt is a shooting guard that struggles to get the ball in the hoop. His defense has been average at best this year because he's had to guard athletic players at times. His rebounding has been abysmal, and that's not just the UNC game. He's made more mistakes this year than last because he's needed to do more than just wait in the corner for someone to create an open 3 for him. He's also made poor end of games shot selections where duke had a chance to tie it or win it early/mid acc season.

With all the negatives, you definitely see amazing chemistry and desire to win with this team and I believe Matt plays a big role in that and preparing the team.

I think i've said all I need to say on this topic.

I know you said you were done, all I'm doing is clarifying.

What I meant by Nolan syndrome was simply that we were spoiled and what Nolan and Jon and JJ and Ryan all did were the exception not the norm. We anticipated something similar out of Matt that simply wasn't there.

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Yes, Nolan Smith syndrome. Nolan was expected to break out his sophomore year, but did not. He was certainly given the chance, as he started 21 of 34 games. He came off the bench at the end of the season.

You sir, could not be more incorrect.
1. Nolan and Matt are completely different basketball players. Nolan is most effective with the ball in his hands. Matt is most effective spotting up.
2. Nolan's sophomore year, we also had Paulus, Scheyer, Henderson, and Elliot Williams as our 1-3. Including Nolan, that is 5 guys capable of playing big minutes for only 3 positions. (I think Paulus should have been the odd man out, but its irrelevant now) Random, how did that team not make it further than the sweet 16, Gerald was a STUD, were our big guys that bad???
3. Nolan was recruited as a 4 year player, most 4 year players do not break out and dominate in there sophomore year.
4. Matt certainly did not BREAK OUT his sophomore year, he played his role, which was play good defense and hit open 3's. I'm guessing Nolan averaged more as a sophomore than Matt did.

 

[Anon1728003274]

Incoming 20+ point game for matt after this thread lol.

Crazy thats my whole hope in starting the thread days ago, lol...He has the tools, remember the 1st game in the Garden his freshman year!!?? No one will cheer him on harder today than me, because when that 3s going its silky! Even if its not he can bring us huge dividends if he can board some- part of K's "gang rebounding" theory!

 

[GAAP_rivals]

You sir, could not be more incorrect...

All I'm saying is that people were disappointed with Nolan during his soph year, much the same as people are disappointed with Matt this year. That's it -- no more, no less. I'm not comparing the type of player they are/were, etc.

 

[Tlass]

This thread!!

GO DUKE

 

[DukeDenver]

This thread!!

GO DUKE

Matt read the thread and decided to take it out on Plumlee's nose.

 

[Anon1728003274]

I figure Matt picks his game up a notch tomorrow and we win again! Didnt see his #s, but relatively modest... Just grateful good guys won!

 

[nets on nets on nets]

Hit the 1st 3 of the game, didn't score a point after that.......

 

[Tlass]

Hit the 1st 3 of the game, didn't score a point after that.......

DUKE WINS, at the end of the day isn't that what matters. lets celebrate the win fellas