Milwaukee Bucks: Midseason grades for every player on the roster
By Adam McGee
Wesley Matthews
Coming in to the starting lineup to plug an obvious gap left by Malcolm Brogdon‘s departure, Wesley Matthews was likely always going to have to shoulder an unfair amount of scrutiny this season, and it’s fair to say that could only ratchet up from here on in.
The truth, though, is that the Bucks bet on Matthews being one of multiple players to replace Brogdon’s contributions rather than that sole responsibility falling to him. With the Bucks currently comfortably outpacing last year’s team, Matthews deserves credit for his part in that.
At 33 years old, the opportunity to return to Wisconsin and represent his home state team undoubtedly appealed to Matthews, but with the Bucks being a team with a great opportunity to win it all, that opening also came with the need for sacrifices.
Matthews is posting what’s easily the lowest usage percentage of his career, with even his rookie season not coming all that close in that department. That has required adjustments, and Matthews has bought in.
The veteran wing’s defense has lived up to billing, and his overall mark of 37.1 percent from deep is a positive too. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for Matthews to improve in that department, though, and certainly a steadier balance between the quality of his home and road performances would benefit the Bucks as they approach the playoffs.
Grade: B-