Wes,
You were originally brought in to be Brandon Roy's backup, be a tough-defending swingman who wouldn't complain about a reserve role. In truth you were a knight in shining armor, confidently taking over the starting spot from a broken all-NBA star. They say "you never want to be the guy that follows 'the man'," but you took that assignment with gusto, and never looked back. We didn't know just what we had in you, but we know now. From that point, you became a defensive anchor, a feared offensive weapon, and the heart of our team. Most importantly, after the heartbreak of Roy's fragility, you helped us heal, and bridged the gap to our return to respectability. Your contributions to Rip City cannot be overstated.
When you went down, our hearts broke with yours, because we knew it was not only the end of something special this season, but possibly the end of Iron-man in Portland. We're saddened by your departure, but we celebrate your recovery and your good fortune. Unlike some in this league, we can say with confidence that you have earned and deserve every penny of your new deal. While we'll always be Blazer fans, wherever you go, we'll remain Wes Matthews fans as well.
