Revisionist History: What would we change about this NBA season?
Revisionist History: Give Iron Man his powers back
By: Willy Raedy (@WillyRaedy)
On March 5th, Wesley Matthews tore his achilles and his season was over. I knew as soon as it happened. The announcers knew as soon as it happened. The trainers knew as soon as it happened and Matthews sure as hell knew as soon as it happened. A simple cut. A pop. Just like that.
Everyone knows injuries suck on multiple levels. Most simply, it’s just sad not to be able to watch a guy play. Regardless of the score or the situation, I miss Durant pull-up threes or Rose contorting in the air for impossible layups. On another level, injuries derail teams. The ultimate experience is watching your guys make a run in the playoffs and a key injury can take away that possibility. Finally, all these players are people. It’s heartbreaking to see anybody unable to do what they love.
Of all the injuries this year, losing Matthews was the most devastating because it hit hard on every level. Beyond the quick release three pointers and sneaky post game, the guy just plays so hard. I’ve never seen someone more willing to dive on the floor and it’s a joy to watch his tough, in your shirt defense on a nightly basis. He’s single-handedly willed Portland to wins by challenging everyone to get to his level, to care as much as he does. How could anyone not want to watch that?
Full disclosure, I’m a die-hard Blazers fan. That fan part of me still believes this team can make some noise in the playoffs (CJ McCollum has looked really good lately and Afflalo might figure it out in time!) but, in reality, the hopes of a long playoff run collapsed along with Wesley. People were finally beginning to notice Portland’s top shelf defense when Matthews went down and the Blazers could match up with anyone. Now, everything just feels like a long shot.
Nobody deserves to get injured but it’s hard to think of a guy that deserved it less than Wesley Matthews. Just look at this picture.
He’s wearing his shooting sleeves! And the craziest thing is that not a single Blazers fan was surprised. Wanting to play so badly that he wore his game attire is such a Wesley thing to do. This dude is basketball obsessed. Famously undrafted, Matthews found a way to make a name for himself in the NBA. Now 28 years old and one of the best shooting guards in the league, Wesley was set-up beautifully for the one big contract of his career. Unfortunately, achilles injuries are devastating and it’s doubtful Matthews will be the same when he comes back.
In the self-delusional universe in which I’m choosing to reside, Wesley Matthews and the Trail Blazers make a spirited run through the playoffs. The team offers Matthews the contract he deserves without blinking and is set up for years of title contention trying to get over the hump. All of that has been turned upside down and the future of the team and his place on it is now in question. If only there was a way to quickly exchange achilles tendons, I’d give him mine.