LeBron James said it best this fall: ‘What I learned to be a Laker is that the Laker faithful do not decide anything you did before … until you become a Laker, you must do it do with them, too. ”
In that sense, the 1,663 3-point baskets Wesley Matthews has made in his career are not of much importance to fans of his new team ahead of the six he hit in a row Wednesday night. But Lakers fans need to remember: The fact that Matthews hit as many as ten three-pointers in a game in his career is important to him. When he started the season with a shooting dive, the 34-year-old burned his confidence.
“I feel like I can get hot,” he said. “I feel like I have to take every shot I take, so I would not say it is unusual.”
It started five games and a 0-for-8, but Matthews eventually scored a win against the San Antonio Spurs. The learning curve was steep for all with a shortened pre-season, and compared to his teammates who have already shown good matches, Matthews looked the steepest, and he did not find his shot in the attack and looks slowly on defense where he is expected to be one of the surest pieces.
But in his 18-point performance, Matthews showed a little more of what the Lakers expected when they signed him this offseason – and maybe some things they did not. Matthews was sometimes the hottest shooter on the floor Wednesday night, including shoot-false jumpers that cut through the net.
“We are not worried about West; we know what he has done through his career,” coach Frank Vogel said. “He is a striker and an excellent defender. Just excited that he’s in a Lakers uniform and what kind of things he’s going to give us all year long. ”
What contributed to the slow start? Consider Matthews’ new role: in a career that spanned 796 games, Matthews started 729 of them. In the last eight seasons he has only come off the bench twice, and now he is on average eight minutes less per game than even last season, while coming off the bench every game.
It’s hard to explain how important the start is for NBA players, especially those who started before, but the desire to start has already had a big impact on the Lakers this season. Dennis Schröder expressed how he wanted to move ‘forward’ by returning to the starting line-up after two seasons from the bench in Oklahoma City. Kyle Kuzma has talked before about how he would start most other teams in the league, and although the Lakers imagine him as a sixth man, he will also be elevated if James or Anthony Davis misses games.
The wing balance between Schröder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as well as the desire to start a true center has plagued Matthews through the role he has had most of his twelve seasons in the NBA. And as genius as Matthews, he admitted it was a difficult adjustment.
‘It’s just another way to be spiritual, another way to get involved in the game. And it’s obviously a new group, a new style of play, and just a weird season, just a weird off-season. So nothing could really be an agreement with normal. ‘
What has been helped, Matthews said, is support. He picked up tips from Markieff Morris, a former NBA starter who comfortably transitioned to his bankroll at the Lakers. While entrees get their energy from being on the track from the starting point, reserves need to generate the same level of intensity and focus, which can be difficult when viewed from the bench.
“Kieff is one of those guys who, in my opinion, was instrumental in my comfort,” Matthews said. ‘I started taking a little of what he was doing to get me ready when my number was called to try to book the game. This is something that is different for me. But like I said, you have to be able to adapt. ‘
As a chemistry piece, Matthews has already adapted quickly. Schröder said he was one of the players who, along with center Marc Gasol, helped build chemistry among the newcomers.
It is logical that a veteran with Matthews’ experience can find his fit in the locker room. The Lakers hope they see just the beginning that Matthews also finds his pace on the field.
“We can not control that the ball goes into the basket, and we told him, keep shooting it,” Schröder said. ‘And it’s so wonderful to this group. Everyone is trying to build each other up. … Everyone in this locker room is excited for him and we can not wait for him to get it going. ‘
Six shots. Six tries. Greetings Wesley Matthews. pic.twitter.com/UsLWadnWR5
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) 31 December 2020