Wesley Matthews: MIP?

[B-Roy]

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-110107-09/trimester-awards

Most Improved Player of the First Trimester
Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers

Some slight recent slippage from Matthews can't keep me from singling him out of this crowded group. The five-year, $34 million contract he snagged from the Blazers in the summer, which so many of us loudly questioned at the time, made total sense by Christmas thanks to the undrafted Matthews' fearlessness and productivity when asked by Portland to do some of the things Brandon Roy's knees aren't letting him do these days.

The responsibility Matthews has been forced to shoulder for a franchise in crisis has been immense. Had to find a way to recognize his largely unforeseen ability to handle all that, as evidenced by his 15.4 points in 31.3 minutes per game.

 

[maxiep]

Good for Wes. He's been better than I thought he would be. In fact, I give him full credit for our success against Utah this year. We've changed our approach to defending them, and I have to believe that was intelligence provided by Wes.

 

[THE HCP]

I like it. He has been off lately, I think that's from the advanced scouts of other teams though.