Solid article written by a Michael Tozer. <- LINK "Upon becoming a member of the Portland Trail Blazers, the decision to sign Wesley for a somewhat-inflated price infuriated some members of the NBA community who seem to think they are expert analysts online. Comments about Wesley signing with Portland were not limited to, and included: "Wes Matthews and $34M don’t go together, no matter how you cut it…well he is, if it’s $34M for 10 years!” – Rob, probasketball sports member “It’s got to be 5 years at 3.4 million. No way it’s 34 million.” – HisJoeness, InsideHoops member “Heh, I’d never even heard of Wes Matthews before this thread, had to google his ass to find out who he is”. - BigTicket, InsideHoops member “Realize that when he isn’t playing next to the best PG in the league and in a system that is almost tailor made for his game that he’ll fall off significantly. Let Portland eat that for the next few years”. – Bat, RealGM member Wes has constantly found his abilities undermined by others where no one believed in him as a player. Coming into his 5th season in the league, he’s had to prove everything to the people that have judged him. So far he has successfully proved that he’s worthy of a roster spot on any NBA squad, that he is a quality starter, and most recently, that he is truly worthy of such a large contract." Check out the link at the top, it's really good! And Wes' shot chart looks like a legion of leprechauns threw a party on it.
I'm not going to lie, I had no idea who he was before we signed him. When I heard he was a hard nosed defender and a good outside shooter, I was pretty excited. I also understood that we had to overpay to bring him here. The funny thing is, we didn't end up overpaying, it just seemed that way based off his rookie year. He ended up being a steal.
I'd heard of him, and I'd seen him a couple times when we played them, but it's not like I could recite the scouting report on him. It would be like trading for Joel Anthony. I've heard the name, I've probably seen him a couple times when we've played the Heat, but I know just about nothing about him.
I'm glad you explained that in the end, because I was about to send you a donation in the mail. Now I think I will be accepting your donations. Well played.
I definetley thought we overpaid. With Brandon Roys lack of defense I thought it was a good pick up though. A gritty defender that can spread the floor is hard to come by in this league. Never thought this was his ceiling though. Pleasently surprised and love seeing all thses old quotes from writers at the time of the signing. Wiping a bit of egg off their faces now
Good article or not, including quotes from people in basketball forums is, IMO, a poor way to support an article. RR7 on RipCityTwo said Kobe is a shit burger, so you can see how people think low of him.
Well then I guess you should click on the article and you'd see those quote were from his article and part of a perception of Wes that is quite accurate when he was signed, and has persisted - to include trade talk after this pre-season. "Wes will be the next guy to go... he can't close games." - Ben Golliver Happy?
Sorry, I did read it, I meant it's a poor way for the author to support his article on Wes. It's one thing if joe schmoe on realGM criticizes someone he's seen play twice. It does nothing for me. If he had quotes from NBA writers mocking it as an overpay, I think it'd be more effective. Look how many people in here mock signings and trades, or crap on people when they're down, only to look stupid later on.
I agree. And I have respect for anyone who is willing to explain why their opinion didn't turn out as they once thought though, but you'll rarely hear that from a sports writer. They pretend like they never held that opinion, or simply avoid it at all costs.
He really saved their asses after the Roy era ended, who the fuck would be starting at sg if not for him?
Portland fans are the best because there are more bars and strip clubs here than any other place in the US.
Wesley has proved his value to the team. His shooting is probably not likely to remain at its current level but right now I would certainly have him as the second most valuable Blazer to this start. When he struggles the team seems to struggle as well. 4 pts vs Dallas loss, 8 points vs Phx loss, 3 pts vs Det win, 9 pts vs Phx loss. Cant say that about anyone else.
