His signing is a good argument for signing the best player for your team that is available as a free agent regardless of position or depth. Just like Milsap and Lee would have been last year. (Although Miller worked out too) Don't worry about the depth or hurting anyones feelings that may have to sit. Get the best players and let it work itself out. You never know when an injury occurs or to whom. And besides if gives you more trade options later on.
Bayno mentioning that they'll measure players against Wesley when it comes to the draft and free agency needing that "pit bull attitude," I couldn't help of think of the way KP drafted and pursued players in free agency when he was here. Talk about a contrast in style.
I am pretty sure the KP regime started looking for bruisers/high motor guys as well - with Dante and Pendy... add the fact that Wes was actually a KP target - and your statement seems to be very much off-target...
So, you think the Blazers who fired KP 2 weeks before they could sign Wes to a qualifying offer (and did not have a GM at the time) never discussed it before? Please - KP most certainly had been part of the team that made the team's plans for the off-season - including draft and free-agent acquisitions. This was a KP acquisition down to method that was identical to the one used for Milsap.
All I keep thinking is what in the world would this team have done if Matthews wasn't here when this whole Roy thing went south? If that was Cho's doing... he's earned his first years pay check for sure!!! Matthews is the toughness we've always needed! Our Ron Artest without the drama! HAHAHA!
Well whoever brought him in did the right thing! Great contract, great player, great attitude! Win, win for Blazers!
Born and Buchanan were in charge at the time and it was reported that they were following the plan that they had helped Pritchard put together. So it was Pritchard's plan (with, of course, the input of his chief assistants).
I've always been big on players who go balls out. Matthews wasn't handed jack shit, he had to earn everything he's accomplished and he's never complacent. I think thats why he's my favorite Blazer. When he got that contract he vouched that he would earn every dime of it, so far he's backed that up.
He's even arguably earned his 1st year salary with the bonus. In the out years, when the actual cash payouts are $3MM/annually, he'll be a steal.
