This is a legit question I have, and not a bait or assumption. If it's already been discussed, sorry. What are the chances Portland went after Matthews (with the kind of offer that made some fans really question the motives) because Portland knew Roy's health was in decline?
I would say there's a good chance. They had to know what his medical condition was coming out of last season. Either that, or this team has no idea what they're doing.
we needed a solid backup 2/3 and a good defender off the bench. I find that more likely than signing Matthews because they feared Roy would be barely able to play again in the future.
I think the Blazers *knew* for certain that Roy would miss games this season, yes. Thus they wanted a capable player to fill for Roy. Rudy isn't that player (of course that could still change) his defense is too much of a liability.
does roy having an MRI tomorrow make any of you feel like we're going to hear "brandon roy is out for the season" tomorrow like it does to me? please feel free to disagree
Matthews was largely signed to shore up our perimeter defense and also to replace Rudy once we either traded or released him.
Agreed. Who doesn't need a guy like Wes on their team? The Blazers sure did and Nate voiced it immediately after the season. The kid will have to adapt to being effective coming off the bench, but he will be a solid utility player for years to come.
I think Wes being signed had much more to do with the turmoil around Rudy and thought of "consolidation" rather than anything to do with Roy. But maybe they signed Wes to shop Roy instead of RUdy.
I think the Blazers knew Roy was going to get injured, so they signed Wes Matthews. They also knew that Roy was going to be dominant, so they traded Bayless. Third, they wanted to piss off the Jazz. Fourth, who fucking knows, let's just be thankful that Wes looks ready to play if Roy is down and call it a night.
I wondered the same thing (as the question asked in the thread title). And I do think it was part of the reason that the Blazers went after Wes Matthews. Now, they offered the contract that they did because they wanted to make absolutely sure they were getting him. I think the Blazers signed Matthews for the following reasons, in order: 1.) They desperately needed better perimeter defense, and Matthews had that in spades. 2.) They needed a shooter who could spread the floor, without Martell Webster, and with the possibility that Rudy Fernandez was going to implode. 3.) They had a fragile starting shooting guard in Brandon Roy, and they needed someone (better than Bayless) who could take Roy's place in a pinch. Or at least, they needed someone who could play significant minutes, so that Roy could play less. 4.) It sure was nice stealing a good player from a division rival.
I'm still trying to figure out why we didn't trade Roy three years ago to Seattle for the number 2 draft pick? (just another angle on the Durant debacle) LOL
Disagree. Roy's injuries WERE known. He had fucking surgery back in April. The guy has had knee problems his whole career. I truly believe Wesley was signed as insurance considering Roy had the hamstring injury AND the knee injury last year. Bayless was never the solution to that. Wesley is a true SG and Andre Miller was our true PG. Rudy beat Bayless out for the third string SG spot and Armon Johnson beat Bayless out for backup PG. There were no minutes for Bayless with or without Roy.
I'm curious how Wesley went undrafted? Was it his play in college? Bad workouts before the draft? Dude is a legit NBA player. Kind of funny how it worked out for him though. He's making way more money the route he took than if he was drafted(outside of a high lottery pick).
Disagree. If they thought Roy was healthy, then the 2 was our strongest position, not our position of need. They'd have put their money into any position but that one. I couldn't understand why they spent on a 2, with all our other needs. Now I understand. They knew Roy was in trouble.
