Grantland article on Wes: "After the Rupture"

[PtldPlatypus]

http://grantland.com/features/wesle...quette-university-deandre-jordan-free-agency/

Long, all-inclusive article. One of many interesting quotes:

"Once I got hurt, everything about Portland kind of shifted,” Matthews said. “Especially that we didn’t sustain winning and we dropped off the way we did. I think that not only [Aldridge] moved on, but Portland moved on from us as well — when I say Portland, I mean management and the decisions they wanted to make."

 

[B-Roy]

Good lord I miss Wes.

Would be the coolest thing if he could retire a Blazer. Even as a 40 year old that doesn't play.

 

[THE HCP]

He was the heart and soul of the team, when he got hurt, the mentality of the team changed and thats it. I don't think anything "shifted" other than they didn't want to offer him a ton of money so he left.

 

[riverman]

Excellent article

 

[riverman]

He was the heart and soul of the team, when he got hurt, the mentality of the team changed and thats it. I don't think anything "shifted" other than they didn't want to offer him a ton of money so he left.

To me, he was always the captain on the floor

 

[BonesJones]

Cmon Wes, Portland moved on from you only because Aldridge booked it. Don't make it sound like we purely just didnt want you back.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Cmon Wes, Portland moved on from you only because Aldridge booked it. Don't make it sound like we purely just didnt want you back.

We certainly didn't at the contract he got though. I wouldn't have even paid a healthy Wes 4 years 70 million dollars.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

We certainly didn't at the contract he got though. I wouldn't have even paid a healthy Wes 4 years 70 million dollars.

I didn't realize you were Paul Allen.

 

[BlazerWookee]

We certainly didn't at the contract he got though. I wouldn't have even paid a healthy Wes 4 years 70 million dollars.

If Aldridge had decided to stay, Wes would have been offered whatever it took to keep him. Same with Rolo.

 

[Natebishop3]

If Aldridge had decided to stay, Wes would have been offered whatever it took to keep him. Same with Rolo.

I don't know if I agree. I don't think we would have maxed him out. That would have been absurd. Cuban looks really dumb, and if he comes back at less than 100%, he'll look even worse.

 

[tester551]

Cmon Wes, Portland moved on from you only because Aldridge booked it. Don't make it sound like we purely just didnt want you back.

I think that is what Wes is mad at. Ownership wanted him back only conditionally with getting LMA back. Wes wanted to be wanted unconditionally.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think that is what Wes is mad at. Ownership wanted him back only conditionally with getting LMA back. Wes wanted to be wanted unconditionally.

Well that's just completely unrealistic with the current trajectory of the team.

 

[BonesJones]

We certainly didn't at the contract he got though. I wouldn't have even paid a healthy Wes 4 years 70 million dollars.

Yeah, but we could turn that on him saying he's just chasing dollars regardless of where he plays.

I didn't realize you were Paul Allen.

WELL NOW YOU KNOW

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

If Aldridge had decided to stay, Wes would have been offered whatever it took to keep him. Same with Rolo.

I disagree, I think RoLo was gone whether or not LA stayed or not, I mean we got a center with similar attributes whose younger and FAR cheaper before Free Agency began.

I think if LA stayed, Wes would have either taken the discount from us or would still be in a Mavs jersey today. My gut says he'd still pick Dallas because money>team at the end of the day.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I disagree, I think RoLo was gone whether or not LA stayed or not, I mean we got a center with similar attributes whose younger and FAR cheaper before Free Agency began.

I think if LA stayed, Wes would have either taken the discount from us or would still be in a Mavs jersey today. My gut says he'd still pick Dallas because money>team at the end of the day.

yep just like he left utah cause "they didnt feel he was worth the contract." I can't blame him, that is a shit load of money to turn down. If I was in his position and I took off my rose colored glasses I'd have to leave too.

 

[Blazers Roy]

We certainly didn't at the contract he got though. I wouldn't have even paid a healthy Wes 4 years 70 million dollars.

That contract makes sense if it wasn't for the injury.
Max money to be the 2nd\3rd wheel of a top 5 team is actually reasonable in today's NBA. He thought he deserved that money just like Kevin Love or Draymond Green did in their respective teams.

 

[Natebishop3]

That contract makes sense if it wasn't for the injury.
Max money to be the 2nd\3rd wheel of a top 5 team is actually reasonable in today's NBA. He thought he deserved that money just like Kevin Love or Draymond Green did in their respective teams.

I just don't think he's worth max money. Not even healthy. Not even before the injury.

 

[Blazers Roy]

I just don't think he's worth max money. Not even healthy. Not even before the injury.

I know it doesn't make a lot of sense when you look at all those dollar numbers, but being the 2nd\3rd best guy on a top team entitles you to that kind of money in today's NBA.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I just don't think he's worth max money. Not even healthy. Not even before the injury.

before he went down he was top 3 in three pointers taken and made wasnt he? that's pretty important in today's NBA. add that to his hustle, ability to post, and defense, i still think he's a top 5 SG in the league pre injury. the question is does he bounce back from injury, and will he ever learn to dribble, or run a fast break.

 

[donkiez]

I just don't think he's worth max money. Not even healthy. Not even before the injury.

going into the next few years of crazy salaries, Wes's "max" could end up being a deal.

 

[Natebishop3]

I know it doesn't make a lot of sense when you look at all those dollar numbers, but being the 2nd\3rd best guy on a top team entitles you to that kind of money in today's NBA.

The fact that he was our 3rd best guy says more about how crappy our team was. Wes is a role player. He's not a star. Nic has the potential to be a star, but not the drive or the heart.