Dallas Mavericks: Mid-Season Forward Grades

By Kohl Rast

Feb 14, 2017

Dec 23, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers guard J.J. Redick (4) shoots against Dallas Mavericks players Harrison Barnes (40) , Dirk Nowitzki (41) and Wesley Matthews (23) in the first half of the NBA basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) celebrates making a three point shot against the Houston Rockets during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

. Dallas Mavericks. . Wesley Matthews. A-

At the beginning of the season, possibly the last Mavericks player you would have guessed to be sitting at an A- grade was Wesley Matthews. Much like last season where Wes was fighting off the pains of an offseason achilles surgery, Matthews just looked like he was a shell of his former self.

Dallas Mavericks

Now, Wes is the lone representative for the Dallas Mavericks at All-Star Weekend where he will be competing in the 3-point contest. Matthews is tied for 9th in the league in made threes and is shooting nearly 39% from beyond the arc. This is even more impressive when you realize that he only made 14 of his fist 58 three-point attempts. That is about a 24% rate.

Matthews climbed out of his hole in a big way, and is back to being one of the key players for the Dallas Mavericks and earning every penny of his once very questionable contract. With Matthews great ability to post up smaller guards, defend bigger forwards, and hit the three on just about anyone, he has become a very valuable asset for Dallas.

For now, Wesley Matthews sits at an A- but definitely has room to grow into the every night player that the Mavs dreamed of when first signing him. He certainly appears to be on his way back to that form.

Next: Dorian Finney-Smith