Bill Simmons' thoughts on Wesley Matthews

[Miep Gies]

Longtime lurker, first-time poster.

Bill Simmons outlines which teams he would like to see most this coming season in the NBA.  Portland checks in at number 18 of 30.  However, most of his post was on Wesley Matthews:

By the way, at some point, I need the $33.4 million Wesley Matthews contract explained to me. Yeah, this was an especially dense summer for front offices: Channing Frye, Darko Milicic, Amir Johnson, Brendan Haywood, Al Harrington, Drew Gooden, Hakim Warrick and Travis Outlaw signed for a combined $248 million even as the owners were crying for a hard salary cap and reduced payrolls. (Savvy, fellas. Way to hold the fort.) But in every case, I got it. Either the team wanted to spend enough to get to the cap minimum; they severely overrated a non-impact player; they panicked; they screwed up; they were delusional; or in David Kahn's case with Darko, all of the above. But Portland paid Matthews twice what he was worth (at least) to back up Brandon Roy.

Huh???

Why not trade Fernandez first? Why do it all? What am I missing? And how fast did Matthews' agent say, "WE AGREE TO YOUR OFFER!" Two seconds? One second? Half a second? I'm so confused. Even if you did it just to collect an asset for trading down the road -- like what Houston did with Trevor Ariza last season -- how will Matthews keep his value with a bad contract if he's playing 10 minutes a game? Please explain this to me. Someone. Anyone. Actually, add him to the list of reasons why Portland is No. 18: I need to see Wesley Matthews in person again. Maybe I missed the magic the first time around.

I'm hoping Wes proves him wrong...

Link:  http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmonsnfl2010/101015&sportCat=nba

[GGGG]

I think Wes will be better than he thinks, but Portland was bargaining against themselves.  I don't think other teams were offering that kind of money for him.

[NersEllenson]

With Wes's work ethic, character, and results he produced last year - and particularily in the playoffs - this move by Portland may prove to be a very astute move, albeit a gutsy one.  Like the rest here, I just wouldn't bet against Wes and what he's made of.

[79Warrior]

With Wes's work ethic, character, and results he produced last year - and particularily in the playoffs - this move by Portland may prove to be a very astute move, albeit a gutsy one.  Like the rest here, I just wouldn't bet against Wes and what he's made of.

The guy is not betting against him. He just cannot believe the deal he got. Quite frankly, he makes valid points.

[StillAWarrior]

With Wes's work ethic, character, and results he produced last year - and particularily in the playoffs - this move by Portland may prove to be a very astute move, albeit a gutsy one.  Like the rest here, I just wouldn't bet against Wes and what he's made of.

I don't disagree with your post and I hope Wes makes Simmons eat his words.  But it also may prove to be a huge mistake.  One could certainly make an argument that it obviously was a mistake (although maybe not a "huge" one) because they almost certainly could have gotten Wes for less money.

[RJax55]

I'm glad Wes got paid and that he looks to have a stable NBA career, but Simmons is right... It took about one second for his agent to accept that Portland offer.

Will be interesting to see how Wes does... He is certainly a NBA player, but I doubt he's worth 33 million.

[GGGG]

With Wes's work ethic, character, and results he produced last year - and particularily in the playoffs - this move by Portland may prove to be a very astute move, albeit a gutsy one.  Like the rest here, I just wouldn't bet against Wes and what he's made of.

It is never an astute move to pay more than the market dictates.  They could have gotten him for less.

[MuMark]

If they wanted him they had to pay(read overpay) him enough so that Utah wouldn't match the offer sheet.

Its really not that hard to figure.

Now if it was wise is a different issue.....time will tell.

Simmons is an idiot if he thinks Matthews is only going to play 10 minutes a game.

[Lennys Tap]

The guy is not betting against him. He just cannot believe the deal he got. Quite frankly, he makes valid points.

I LOVE Wesley Matthews and think he'll be a solid pro for years to come. That said, it's hard for me to fathom the deal he got. It was a perfect storm scenario - undrafted rookie becomes a starter late in the season, plays BIG minutes (partially due to injuries), distinguishes himself and become a free agent at the end of the season. Now he's making 3/4/5 times what the lottery picks from his class are making. Don't get me wrong - Wes seized an opportunity and doesn't have to apologize to anyone. But I bet even he has to pinch himself at times to make sure the numbers on his contract are for real.

[westcoastwarrior]

Wesley's contract was also front loaded.  Very big signing bonus...with a average yearly salary....so Portland's hit was only this year.  I think they call that the poison pill in the NFL.

[MarkCharles]

This was a great thing for Wes and MU basketball, but its tough to argue that Wes wasn't grossly overpaid, and by a team where a player at his position was not a major need. Wes shouldn't have gotten a contract like this for another couple years. I think Wes will get a lot more than 10 mpg though, he is big and strong enough to guard a lot of NBA 3s. I see him as Portland's main backup at the 2 and 3, should get about 20 mpg.

There is a history of bad blood between the Blazers and Jazz. There was some serious speculation that Portland offered this much money as a way to screw over the Jazz, thinking that in the wake of losing Boozer they would need to save face and resign an up-and-coming young player at all costs in order to keep the fans and Deron Wiliams happy. Just speculation, but it makes a lot of sense.

[Avenue Commons]

Bill Simmons pulls in a couple million a year for writing the same handful of articles every year and "hosting" a podcast where he talks to his friends. I'm a big fan of his, but he's as overpaid as anyone out there.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

Portland overpays to get players of high character because they are desperate to shed the "Jail Blazers" image of a few years ago. They're trying to rebuild their fanbase.

[RJax55]

Bill Simmons pulls in a couple million a year for writing the same handful of articles every year and "hosting" a podcast where he talks to his friends. I'm a big fan of his, but he's as overpaid as anyone out there.

Haha... Very true.

[Niv Berkowitz]

If you're a big fan of his, the defense rests, your honor.

Agree w/the point totally. While we all love Wes and are thrilled for him, it was an insane deal. He's making more than the #1 pick in last year's draft. It's insane. God bless him, but it's nuts. And even if Portland were trying to screw over Utah - which they did the year before doing the same thing...offering a player a ton more than they're worth - it's still too much.

But yes, he'll play way more than 10 minutes a game I think. Even as 6th man, he'll be getting 18-24 mpg at least.

[NersEllenson]

If they wanted him they had to pay(read overpay) him enough so that Utah wouldn't match the offer sheet.

Its really not that hard to figure.

Now if it was wise is a different issue.....time will tell.

Simmons is an idiot if he thinks Matthews is only going to play 10 minutes a game.

+1 to all.  Yes at the moment of the deal, Wes was "overpaid," but my point was that he has a legitimate chance to blossom into a solid 16ppg, 4 reb/game, tough, good defender, guard.  If he performs to that level over the next 5 years, Portland will have gotten itself a very good deal.

[Avenue Commons]

If you're a big fan of his, the defense rests, your honor.

I didn't know Avenue Commons being a fan of someone's work equalled a multi-million dollar paycheck. If that's the way it works than Mrs. AC's incomparable work in life is worth a billion a year.

Look, I love Simmons. I think he's bright and has a unique angle on things. But he really has started to mail it in since he started his podcast. He talks to his buddies in the sports business and from college from the "studio" in his guest house/office. Is that worth a couple mil? I'm happy for him, but I don't think so.

[RawdogDX]

+1 to all.  Yes at the moment of the deal, Wes was "overpaid," but my point was that he has a legitimate chance to blossom into a solid 16ppg, 4 reb/game, tough, good defender, guard.  If he performs to that level over the next 5 years, Portland will have gotten itself a very good deal.

I agree that he could go 16 & 4 over the next 5 years.  But is that a VERY good deal?  
Isn't that the minimum you expect when you sign someone for that much?  Isn't he a disappointment if he goes 14 & 3?

[boyonthedock]

simmons is mostly saying this because hes kind of redundant for portland because they have roy.

[SacWarrior]

I love Wes with all my heart and all, but even us Marquette guys have to agree that 33 Million is an absolutely ludicrous amount for an undrafted free agent with one good year under his belt.

Let's not forget that.

[Josey Wales]

Did Bill suck on some helium before saying this?

[Mayor McCheese]

Did Bill suck on some helium before saying this?

If sucking on helium means your correct.

Come on, Wes is a good player in the NBA... 33 million?  After one good year, in which he didn't even start more than 50 games?

[MU B2002]

If sucking on helium means your correct.

He was referring to Bill's voice.

[MUDPT]

Basketball Prospectus ran a little profile this summer how Wes's success in Utah was more a product of Sloan's system than his ability as a player.  Their argument was that you could plug in any decent guard with the right attitude and they would have relative success.  That being said there was an article posted last week about Portland was using Matthews as a point guard with great success.  They mentioned that him and Roy in the back court was a match up problem because of their height together.  They were also complimentary of his ability to match up with Deron Williams in a pre-season game.

[dgies9156]

What is everyone complaining about? How many of you would turn down $33 million, regardless of whether you're worth it or not. I'm happy for Wes and optimistic that he'll be a poster child for the best Marquette has to offer.

I'm waiting for Wes to tell Portland, "I'll give you my $33 million worth and not a cent more!"

Seriously gang, he's coached by fellow Warrior grad Maurice Lucas. He'll be great!!!!