Matthews vs. Roy
He could easily hide the rookie in tonight’s game against Portland, perhaps by starting swingman Ronnie Brewer on Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy instead.
But Jazz coach Jerry Sloan has no plans to shield undrafted Wesley Matthews – Utah’s starting shooting guard of late – from the matchup.
“He’s got to learn to play against these guys as he goes forward,” Sloan said. “It’s just part of the business. … It’s good for him. See how he competes.
“He’s got to compete hard,” Sloan added. “You’ve got to know that you’re not going to be able to stop guys like that, but that doesn’t keep you from playing hard. You’ve still got to run the floor, you’ve still go to do the things you’ve got to do.”
Matthews, the Marquette product, suggested he welcomes the challenge.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I got him a little bit in the preseason, but it’s another whole ‘nother league. … You’ve got to be ready. You’ve got to be ready every night.”
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