Wesley Matthews Signing Official

by Dave on Jul 21, 2010 9:59 AM PDT in News

From the Trail Blazers:

TRAIL BLAZERS SIGN WESLEY MATTHEWS

PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Wesley Matthews, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A restricted free agent, Matthews signed an offer sheet with the Trail Blazers on July 10. The Utah Jazz elected not to exercise its right of first refusal and match the offer.

"Wesley is a great fit for our team both on and off the court," said Cho. "As only a first-year player last season, he demonstrated a lot of maturity and ability. He's already one of the best young defenders in the league and offensively he's an emerging threat. He's going to add a lot of versatility to our roster."

Matthews, 23, appeared in all 82 games, including 48 starts, for Utah as a rookie in 2009-10. He averaged 9.4 points (48.3% FG, 38.2% 3-PT, 82.9% FT), 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.78 steals and 24.7 minutes for the Jazz last year.

In his first NBA season, Matthews (6-5, 220) started all 10 of Utah's 2010 postseason contests, posting averages of 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.80 steals in 37.1 minutes.

A four-year player from Marquette University, Matthews went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft. He totaled collegiate averages of 13.2 points (44.4% FG, 34.1% 3-PT, 79.9% FT), 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.22 steals and 30.2 minutes in 127 games (117 starts) from 2005-09.

Matthews will wear jersey No. 2.

Ben will have more from the press conference later this afternoon.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Comments

I don't really like this deal

Rudy is better as a complete guard and Wes has only one year before getting this contract. Trades need to be made to consolidate talent or this will go down as a bad deal for all parties.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 10:02 AM PDT reply actions

No matter what happens

this will be always be a good deal for Wesley, just maybe not The Blazers.

"Batum must be french for: being at the right place at the right time" -
-StudMuffin15 @ Rufus On Fire
"Juwan "The Clipper Killer" Howard" - Natedog1977 @ ClipsNation
" I would trade our entire team for Brandon Roy"
- Slick4President @ Indy Cornrows

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jul 21, 2010 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

There are reasons to not like this deal, but...

Rudy being a more complete guard can’t possibly be one of them. I like the WM signing. Wish we could have gotten him for less, but Utah was likely going to match a $25M offer.

by 52therim on Jul 21, 2010 10:23 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I hope that Wesley shows the Blazers he is worth that $$ and more. I for one, am sure he will.

by Natsthecat on Jul 21, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Everyone hates Rudy but

For the money Rudy is much better. One bad year where he starts off with an injury is a much weaker argument than to pick up a second year player that had a good playoff run.

As fans we are much too quick to call someone good/bad. Blazer fans overreact to the slightest things. Portland fans and media alienated him. Now he is unmotivated and wants to return home. I can’t blame him. Fans are piling on. It is sad.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Rudy first asked out

midseason when everyone was still bringing the Rudy love. We as fans (especially the most die hard) think we effect players more than we do. You think Rudy wants out because of what we have been saying about him on a Blazer Fan Website?

I’m willing to put money on that Rudy wants out because of Brandon Roy (moreso having to play behind him) or Nate McMillan (or his style of play), not because of tominhawaii, Mortimer, or Fatty’s good or bad oppinion of him :P

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jul 21, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Websites have always brought the hate

It is local TV and booing in the stadium that is more of a problem. I used to work in the media there. Trust me, Portland media is harder on the its teams than nearly any other small market. I have lived in NC to Hawaii and nearly everywhere in between.

Basketball is a job to these guys. Most of the time it is not fun. Teams get “up” for home games because of the positive energy and because they make their money with their home markets (jerseys, ads, contracts). When the media and fans start bashing, it affects their livelihood.

Get to know a player and you will find that they are human and are affected by the same things we are. I know a couple and I think you would be surprised how much negativity affects them.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

oh boo hoo

he’s a pro athlete- he needs to get over it, shut his mouth, and play basketball

Matthews is going to be better for us than he ever was

by rip_city_swagger on Jul 21, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope so...

but probably not. If someone was hanging out you work saying you need to get over it, shut your mouth and get back to you TPS reports I think you might feel the same as him. As a fan you will probably never get it though.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Portland fans and media alienated him

Blazer fans and the media adored Rudy. He has a monstrous sense of entitlement built up from his European success and when he was faced with adversity for the first time in Portland, he went into a shell and “lost his confidence”

The Blazers fans didn’t turn on Fernandez until recently, but he’s been unhappy with his role in Nate’s system since the fall of ’08. The Blazers and the local media just kept most of that discontent under wraps

Raw talent isn’t enough, NBA champions required mental toughenss, as well. In that area Matthews >>> Fernandez

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions

So it takes one half season to give up on a player...

Why are people not killing Bayless for inconsistency? There is a double standard in this case. Based on what do you think Wes is “>>>” SO much better. Maybe Portland fans just exaggerate ALL the time. I just don’t get it.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Jerryd has received 40% of the PT that Rudy has, since 2008

So it’s a little harsh to blame him for being inconsistent. Bayless was trending upwards in every measurable area during the last 3-4 months of the season, while Rudy was on the down escalator

And the reason I said Matthews >>> Fernandez was in regards to mental toughness. Wesley has overcome a lot of adversity to reach his current place in the NBA. Rudy was handed a job based on his European and Olympic success and began complaining almost immediately about not receiving enough PT or opportunities to “expand his game” playing for Portland.

One of these young men is a team player who will fill a role in a finals-caliber rotation, I’ll let you be the judge

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

one thing we can afford to do with PA as our owner

is overpay – so it’s not a big deal

plus, we had to make it rich enough that the Jazz wouldn’t match

by rip_city_swagger on Jul 21, 2010 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Rudy is better as a complete guard

This statement is directly contradicted by all available evidence, including the eyes of anyone who has watched Rudy for the past 2 NBA seasons and Wesley for the past 1.

"I want to be traded to a contender" is almost always code-speak for "I'm a loser."
-Dave, 2/5/2010: http://www.blazersedge.com/2010/2/5/1297509/no-amore-for-amare

by douglast on Jul 21, 2010 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

Wrong

I am sure you are a much better fan than me but Rudy’s rookie stats fair much better than Matthews. I am not much for flame wars so chill out.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=fernaru01&y1=2009&p2=matthwe02&y2=2010

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Much Better?

Perhaps a tad better offensively, but I believe the word “complete” was meant to include defense abilities as well and by all accounts Wesley is a much better defender than Rudy.

by Dave R on Jul 21, 2010 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Their defensive stats were the same...

Rudy’s Offense was MUCH better. What stats are you arguing? Look through the stats.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Which stats are much better?

I see two very similar offensive performances in their rookie years from almost anywhere on the floor, and both under coaches who usually don’t quickly fall in love with giving rookies a lot of playing time. And to me Matthews is a much more physical and disciplined defender than Rudy (the Jazz staff had him rated #2 behind Deron on that end last year, ahead of Boozer, Millsap, AK, etc.). And a player who offensively plays within what he can do. You will e.g. very rarely see him attempt threes when he is not open – unlike say C.J. Miles and others he played with in Utah.

He has some weaknesses, but I like Matthews fit into what the Blazers are trying to build. And after the first year that was designed to make it very tough to match, the contract isn’t ugly anymore unless his rookie season was a complete fluke. In fact, I think the Blazers recently had too few contracts in this MLE price range making deals much tougher. I really like this free agent acquisition over some of the names that were discussed.

by Norsktroll on Jul 21, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

yup

the deal is not that bad, and as I’ve said – what good is having one of the richest owners in the league if you don’t take advantage of the ability to overpay

by rip_city_swagger on Jul 21, 2010 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions

I think our new GM said "eyes, ears & numbers"...

Rudy’s defense does not measure up in the eyes & ears. You are correct to say he is a good value still considering his rookie contract. Unfortunately it is clear that he doesn’t want to be here, will likely not get much opportunity, and could become a major distraction.

by 52therim on Jul 21, 2010 1:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Matthews is a better player

especially in our system

by rip_city_swagger on Jul 21, 2010 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

based on playing for Nate?

Or because you think so? Like I said I hope so.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

huh?

a “complete guard”???? in what sense?

He’s not a good defender, doesn’t drive and attack thew rim and get to the line…not to mention he’s disgruntled and doesn’t want to play here unless he’s starting

Not a bad deal for us at all – he will be better than Rudy was for us, book it

by rip_city_swagger on Jul 21, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

and...

when he did get his opportunity to start, he failed. At the end of the day, Rudy has had plenty of opportunities to deliver and force Nate to play him. But he just hasn’t been able to deliver. Nothing personal – just business.

by HotFeet on Jul 21, 2010 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not sure I'd consider Rudy a "complete guard."

I guess that depends on how we define that.

Wesley has been dinged for having a weak handle, but so has Rudy.

Rudy is often dinged for not being good on D. Personally I think he does make a real effort to stay in front of his guy and to remain in position within the defensive scheme, but overall he is not a quality defender, whether that is because of his lack of strength or what have you. OTOH Wesley is considered a good-and-improving defender.

Both can shoot the long ball.

Rudy can convert at the rim like nobody’s business, assuming he receives the ball on the move. Taking it in by himself has been underwhelming at best. Although Wesley’s handle is suspect, he is apparently better at taking it to the hole than Rudy is.

So… I wonder what we’re losing in a head to head comparison? The guys at Portland Roundball Society looked at him statistically and declared him a decent replacement for both Rudy AND Martell’s strenghts, based solely on his rookie year.

Aside from the size of the contract, I’m feeling good about this.

Like the Whos down in Whoville they did it without boxes or ribbons or bows, they did without centers or posting down low. They won without All-Stars and Spaniards and Frenchmen. They won with old geezers and sub-par defense-men. They won playing rookies from deep off the benches. They won with their grit and their guts in the trenches. And some who observed them have been known to say that their hearts grew three sizes (at least!) on the way. One hopes with their poise and their passion now proven that once they are healthy their game will be groovin'. -- Dave

by conspirator5 on Jul 21, 2010 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Wes. Not the deal.

Wes is a decent replacement. The price is too high. I would keep Rudy but now that Wes is on the team there has to be a move that consolidates talent.

BTW, Rudy has amazing handles for a one handed dribbler. :-)

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I can't wait to see the line up of B-Roy, Matthew, Batum, Camby and Greg Oden at the sametime

Defense baby!!!!

by 72chiefs on Jul 21, 2010 10:06 AM PDT reply actions

one of these things is not like the others

substitute Bayless or Armon Johnson in for Brandon and that team would teally get after it on D

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Welcome, Crusher!

Like the deal or not, he’s a Blazer now so we might as well enjoy it and hope for the best.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein

by BmoreBlazer on Jul 21, 2010 10:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

What is not to like? TO got $35 for 5 years...love TO but think Matthews was offered the going rate

for this summer.

by Natsthecat on Jul 21, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

that IS...$35 million ....

by Natsthecat on Jul 21, 2010 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

I tried to sign a $35 contract with the Blazers, but they said I wasn't worth that much

Disclaimer: everything I know about basketball I learned on Blazersedge.

by pualo on Jul 21, 2010 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Rec

A nickname that has three good things going for it:

1. Sounds masculine.
2. Preserves Wesley’s desire to be called “Wesley” and not “Wes.”
3. Star Trek reference.

Make it so, numbah one!

by conspirator5 on Jul 21, 2010 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

poor Wil Weaton

cringe-tastic character on an otherwise classic Sci-Fi series

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions

welcome to portland wesley!

I really like this signing. This now provides us with defense off the bench that we didn’t have the previous 2 season and Playoffs. With a healthy oden, and wesley (sixth man) and most likely Camby 2nd off the bench, it gives the blazers legimate options when Roy or Oden have to rest (or in Oden’s case, foul trouble), I think the only thing really missing in our 12-man roster is multiple 3 point threats off the bench. Matthews is a capable 3 pt shooter, but with rudy most likely gone, our next best shooter is babbitt, who is unproven in this league. All in all, I’m very excited to see how much closer the blazers are to being a contender this year compared to last year, And I believe we have now moved into contender status

by NEPBlazer4life on Jul 21, 2010 10:44 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

I am pretty sure BRoy can shoot the three.

I would also assume that one of the main things that Bayless is doing this summer is working on his 3pt shot…

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jul 21, 2010 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

The player that doesn't fit on the team is Bayless

Not sure why people back this guy so much but I think he could help fetch a good player due to his potential. He should be traded because he does nothing that the Blazers need.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions

I totally agree.

I am not the biggest Bayless fan. But until he is traded, I have to assume that he an asset we can use this upcoming season.

by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jul 21, 2010 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions

so wait - you're not high on Bayless and thinks he doesn't fit on the team

but you think Rudy is better than Matthews as a complete guard?

RUDY should be traded because he does nothing the Blazers need, not Bayless

by rip_city_swagger on Jul 21, 2010 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Outside shooting is the team's offensive weakness now that Martell is gone

I love defensive players and I hope Wes can continue it. Rudy is a better defender than anyone is giving him credit. He is nearly as good as Roy and better than Miller and Bayless. It blows me away that people don’t see how good his D is.

by jnb58 on Jul 21, 2010 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Rudy was abused by Richardson and Barbosa in the playoffs

Fernandez is a gambler on defense, he plays the passing lanes and looks impressive when he gets a deflection (like Ruben Patterson, back in the day) But as an individual defender or in a team concept he has average lateral quickness and below average size for his position

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the only thing really missing in our 12-man roster is multiple 3 point threats off the bench. Matthews is a capable 3 pt shooter

Bayless and Batum shot the 3-ball better than Webster and Rudy, in Feb-April

I think the answers are already there, hidden in plain view. Roy should shoot it better with healthy legs, as well. Babbitt could be brought in as a 3pt sniper for late game B-Roy ISOs

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

If Miller

took them, he could probably have shot the 3 ball better than Rudy or Webster in Feb-April.

by Natsthecat on Jul 22, 2010 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Lace 'em up kid.

by Knobby on Jul 21, 2010 11:03 AM PDT reply actions

Love the Mathews Signing!

You all will too by Mid November. This guy is Nate’s guy, and he is going to win over the hearts of all true Blazer fans.

As for Bayless, the reason why he is valuable is because he is aggressive, drives to the hoop and is an offensive spark off the bench. Now that we have Wesley also, we now have an excellent defensive and offensive 1-2 punch off the bench, not to mention an aggressive, take it to the hoop style and a solid fast break unit.

Like the Possibilities!

by SuperFan #7 on Jul 21, 2010 11:23 AM PDT reply actions

the thing I remember from Matthews' video

is that he’s a one man fast break on the wing. He and Bayless shold get a lot of run outs and easy baskets, with Miller as the trigger man

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Also I want to see Batum do the fast break thing...

by Natsthecat on Jul 22, 2010 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions

good defense leads to transition opportunities

we saw some of that after the Camby trade, we should see even more with Matthews, Batum, Oden, etc on the floor

it’s not like Nate’s going to reach out with his foot and trip Nic or Wesley if they leak out for a break-away. Score early if it’s there, or run the set and score late in the shot clock, that’s been the philosophy. It’s just that Portland’s interior defense was pedestrian with LMA/Howard at center instead of Greg/Joel

Miller is always looking up the floor to kick the ball ahead after a defensive stop

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 22, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Call me crazy

There’s lots of talk about Matthews being a starter. But, Batum was also heralded as the future of the franchise, along with Roy, LMA and Oden. Not 100% sure how that can be reconciled, but in the interest of it, I’m gonna go a bit crazy here and suggest this starting lineup:

PG: Roy
SG: Matthews
SF: Batum
PF: LMA
C: Oden

Crazy long, way too tall, but….Roy as primary ball handler/creator, Batum and Matthews as gunners who can stretch the court and let Roy run a killer pick and roll with Oden or Aldridge. Plus, defensively, it’d be crazy to have Oden, Batum and Matthews on the floor at the same time. The only problem would be defending small, fast PGs, and Batum has show some ability with that, as has Bayless.

Is it just me, or is this crazy enough to work?

by emc503 on Jul 21, 2010 11:52 AM PDT reply actions

I don't think Matthews will be starting.

I think we’re going to see Bayless and Matthews as the primary reserves off the bench for the backcourt. Depending on lineup, they’ll split duties at the 2 while each being the main reserve for the 1 and 3 specifically.

by conspirator5 on Jul 21, 2010 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the Blazers may trade Jarryd.

by Natsthecat on Jul 22, 2010 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions

only if Miller is hurt

and Andre hasn’t been hurt in 10 years

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Jul 21, 2010 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Passing is one problem with loosing rudy

I know his play really fell off the last part of the season, passing included. But Rudy is a good passer, miller is good at the point, but there’s nothing from the post and batum is still pretty raw. I like the ball movement and spacing that result when rudy is on the floor, but the guy needs to get his head straight

by StocktonNEP on Jul 21, 2010 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

Over-rated as a passer... under-rated as a turnover waiting to happen.

Was always looking for the home-run and not always willing to just make the routine play. He was a willing passer, but was forcing the issue far too often.

by 52therim on Jul 21, 2010 1:18 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions