Wes is a warrior, and I respect that so much from him, but hopefully the staff convinces him to rest a few games
There goes his trade value and any chance of packaging Wes with Hickson for a bona fide "needle mover". Our options to improve the teams outlook before the deadline just got fewer. And yeah, if he has a 'high ankle sprain' (actually a misnomer) and possibly an avulsion to the facia on his fibula or some-such (I've had that and yes it takes a long time to heal) the team needs to do the right thing and get him healed up before forcing him into action.
yeah, we don't need was being a hero and letting him hurt himself more, I love his tude but if there is ANY risk at all he should not play untill FULLY healed
He was also playing on one leg. I admire his grit and heart, but it's really stupid for him not to let this thing heal.
I thought Will Barton looked decent tonight in 18 minutes, but Wes played well, and I can't help but like a player who does everything he can to be on the court. He is one of those "glue" guys, as much as I don't like that term.
I like Wesley quite a bit. Maybe the most "professional" player the Blazers have had since ... I dunno? But the way he plays through injuries worries me about his long-term health. That ankle he played on last year was supposedly numb for a month after the end of the season and required surgery. Now he's supposedly got a high ankle sprain, which are notoriously slow healing injuries and can sometimes have lingering issues if they don't heal properly. I respect the hell out of anybody who can play and perform through pain (especially in a "hangnail DNP" league like the NBA can be at times) but I really feel like the training staff should be taking this decision out of his hands right now.
Totally agree Nik, Wes is a warrior who I respect immensely, but when injuries linger that can be a dertimental to his own long term health. At some point in the next week or two I'd like to see the Blazers perhaps shut him down for the rest of the year like they did with LMA in a recent season.
If a player feels he can go, and if he plays and puts up 15/8, it is tough for a training staff to 'convince' him he shouldn't play. Basically, the player just feels like he's being benched, doesn't he? Pro athletes aren't like most people. They tend to be uber-competitive, and being on the court is a matter of pride and earning respect.
I actually get that and I'm glad that Wesley feels that way (part of that being "the most professional Blazer in a billion years" thing) but he strikes me as the kind of guy who would hide things from a doctor or trainer to give something a go. Ultimately it is up to him, but I wish the training staff would intervene in this case.
Anne M. Peterson @AnnieMPeterson Wesley Matthews on the pain he's in: "Every game I'm looking up and praying, `Let me get through this quarter.'"
Pain sometimes is something that can be overcome with a little bit (or a lot!) of mind over matter and professional athletes play "hurt" all the time, but Wesley playing "injured" is not wise. There's a possibility of doing long term damage and making future injury more likely because the affected body part never got a chance to heal properly. In short, I have nothing but respect for Wesley's determination and nothing but contempt for the Blazer's training staff.
