Derozan was ranked #101 on the ESPN #NBArank, while Matthews was ranked #100.
Appropriate question to ask then, who is better right now.
Interesting responses. Can't disagree with any of them.
Source
Almost Unanimous. That Derozan WILL BE the better player down the road.
Appropriate question to ask then, who is better right now.
Interesting responses. Can't disagree with any of them.
Source
1. Who should be ranked higher: DeMar DeRozan or Wesley Matthews?
Devin Kharpertian, Nets Are Scorching: Matthews, but it's as close as the ranking. DeRozan has more long-term upside, but Matthews gets the edge today because of his defense and long-range shooting. Matthews shot over 40 percent from deep last season while DeRozan couldn't hit even 10 percent of his 3-pointers. As a shooting guard, that's unacceptable.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Matthews. DeRozan is better at scoring but it's closer than you think (0.9 points per 40 minutes), and Matthews scores more efficiently because of his 3-point weapon. More importantly, Matthews passes the ball occasionally and actually tries on defense. While DeRozan's ceiling is much, much higher, Matthews is the better player at the moment.
Rahat Huq, Red94: It's a pretty even match. If I needed a supporting piece to fit on a contender, I'd take Matthews. But if I needed some hope and upside for a bad team like, well, the Raptors, I'd take DeRozan.
Brendan Jackson, Celtics Hub: Matthews. The Portland shooting guard has better numbers across the board while playing nearly as many minutes as DeRozan. When called on, Matthews can also be a defensive specialist with 3-point range -- two things DeRozan hasn't been able to prove he can do.
Beckley Mason, HoopSpeak: Wesley Matthews should be ranked higher, and not just higher than DeRozan. Matthews is the superior defender, the more versatile offensive player and a far better 3-point shooter. DeRozan is young and an intriguing prospect, but at this stage he doesn't make the smart, tough plays Matthews does ... when Wes isn't dribbling into ill-advised pull-ups, that is.
Devin Kharpertian, Nets Are Scorching: Matthews, but it's as close as the ranking. DeRozan has more long-term upside, but Matthews gets the edge today because of his defense and long-range shooting. Matthews shot over 40 percent from deep last season while DeRozan couldn't hit even 10 percent of his 3-pointers. As a shooting guard, that's unacceptable.
John Hollinger, ESPN.com: Matthews. DeRozan is better at scoring but it's closer than you think (0.9 points per 40 minutes), and Matthews scores more efficiently because of his 3-point weapon. More importantly, Matthews passes the ball occasionally and actually tries on defense. While DeRozan's ceiling is much, much higher, Matthews is the better player at the moment.
Rahat Huq, Red94: It's a pretty even match. If I needed a supporting piece to fit on a contender, I'd take Matthews. But if I needed some hope and upside for a bad team like, well, the Raptors, I'd take DeRozan.
Brendan Jackson, Celtics Hub: Matthews. The Portland shooting guard has better numbers across the board while playing nearly as many minutes as DeRozan. When called on, Matthews can also be a defensive specialist with 3-point range -- two things DeRozan hasn't been able to prove he can do.
Beckley Mason, HoopSpeak: Wesley Matthews should be ranked higher, and not just higher than DeRozan. Matthews is the superior defender, the more versatile offensive player and a far better 3-point shooter. DeRozan is young and an intriguing prospect, but at this stage he doesn't make the smart, tough plays Matthews does ... when Wes isn't dribbling into ill-advised pull-ups, that is.
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