2017 Mavs Training Camp Profile: Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews, otherwise known as “Iron Man”, might be the most polarizing member of the Dallas Mavericks. It’s a shame, really.

Before we get into the stats that Matthews had last year (and they weren’t great), let’s examine his contract status.

This will be the third year of his four-year, $70 million contract he signed before the 2014-15 season. Matthews was originally set to make $52 million on the deal before DeAndre Jordan reneged on his verbal commitment to Dallas but Mark Cuban decided to give the difference to Matthews as a reward for his loyalty to Dallas and not taking the opportunity (which was afforded to him by Cuban) to bolt for another team.

This has not always sat well with most fans and it definitely became more of a sticking point last year as his play suffered. Matthews has an $18 million player option he can use next summer.

2016-17 Review

The burly shooting guard had literally the worst statistical year of his career last year if you’re hung up on the plus/minus (he came in at a -2.7). His previous worst campaign was the 2012-13 season with Portland where he finished with a -1.3.

I don’t want to be known as the guy who always makes excuses for Matthews. Firstly, he doesn’t need me to. Secondly, I probably have already earned that moniker, but his numbers last year, though down mostly across the board, have more to do with his environment than typical player decline. That being said, Matthews turns 31 in a month and isn’t getting any younger. However, he is extremely valuable to Dallas both on and off the floor.

Defensively, Matthews was asked to carry the heaviest burden of any of the Mavericks on the floor. His reputation as a lockdown defender is well-known and he’s far-and-away Dallas’ best option at guarding the other team’s best player. Just look at how he dominates Russell Westbrook, one of the NBA’s most dangerous scorers, here.

Wes Matthews putting the clamps on Russell Westbrookpic.twitter.com/Apsp3SF9P7

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 6, 2017

After seeing that and how it electrifies not only the crowd but the Mavericks’ bench, it’s fair to wonder how Matthews’ defensive rating soared to a 106.8 last year (per stats.nba.com), the second-highest mark of his career. He also did this to Damian Lillard.

 

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This was Matthews’ first year back “fully healed” from the devastating Achilles tear he suffered at the end of the 2014-15 season, but he still showed signs of fatigue and injury by the end of the year. Matthews is relentless and also stubborn when it comes to staying in the game and playing through injuries. This is both a good and a bad thing for Dallas. A hobbled Matthews does not help the Mavericks on either end.

Offensively, Matthews suffered his second-worst season from the field (39.3%), but shot decently from deep (36.3%). It’s puzzling how to attribute this. Given Dallas’ rash of guard injuries at the beginning of the year, it figures that Matthews was asked to create more offensively while also picking up the slack defensively, leading to the dip in the numbers.

His percentages on driving layups (14-of-34, 41.2%) and fadeaway jumpers (8-of-34, 23.5%) were also concerning. On simple jump shots, Matthews was 176-of-507, a mere 34.7%.

Suffice it to say, Matthews should be eager to start fresh in 2017-18 and he’ll be in a much more favorable situation this year with the arrival of Dennis Smith Jr. and a full season of Nerlens Noel patrolling the paint on defense. Smith’s ability to get into the lane should open things up for everyone on the Mavericks, offensively, and Matthews will likely be able to do more damage as a spot-up shooter when Smith kicks the ball back out and opposing defenses have to contain the likes of Dirk, Seth Curry and Harrison Barnes.

Before he signed with Dallas, Matthews was ranked third on the list of active players with the most made three-pointers. The two in front of him? The Splash Brothers. That’s what made shots like this from last year so baffling.

Barnes wouldn't have made either of these passes at the start of the year pic.twitter.com/a789RrXLgU

— Tim Cato (@tim_cato) February 2, 2017

Matthews can shoot and there’s no reason to think his shot won’t return as a load of pressure is taken off of him on the offensive and defensive end. His role is not to be the primary attacker and he’s not really meant to be the second or third option. With the spacing Dallas expects to have with an athletic rim-running center and a bowling ball at guard with Smith, Matthews should get much better looks although it’s fair to say the look above was about as open as you can get. He probably doesn’t miss that shot again and he did shoot 45.5% on left corner 3s and 38.3% from the right corner, but he struggled with his mid-range game, too (61-of-169, 36.1%). But, he did do this against Chicago.

 

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With Dallas playing so much small-ball last year, Matthews also found himself playing the 3 where he was at a considerable size disadvantage as opposed to the 2 (where is 6’5, 220-pound frame is much more advantageous). Again, I’m not trying to make excuses. I’m just pointing out that the Mavericks’ first 20 games of the season last year didn’t exactly go as planned. Anyone else remember the 4-17 start?

2017-18 Outlook

Look for Seth Curry to also get a lot of run at the 2 this year which means Matthews could again be seeing time as a small-ball 3. I think he’ll have a lot more success this year in all aspects if Dallas’ starters can stay healthy and if you factor in the difference Smith Jr. and Noel will make on both ends of the floor.

Everything is set for Matthews to have a bounce-back season for Dallas and you can always count on the Ironman to give 100% effort no matter when the Mavericks are playing. They’re going to need it from Matthews if they aim to make a surprise playoff push.