Wesley Matthews was in the middle of a passionate rant about the positive qualities he saw in the rebuilding Trail Blazers when he organically reached the subject of J.J. Hickson.

Matthews’ eyes widened, his mouth carved a smile, his voice grew louder.

“J.J. is playing at another level right now,” Matthews said. “It’s like he’s got something to prove and you know I’m a fan of guys who play like they have something to prove.”

“He’s playing hard and he’s tough,” Matthews said. “I can tell his skills have really developed. And he’s playing with an edge to him. I think he’s very underrated as a player. I think he feels that, he knows that and he’s playing determined.”

via Joe Freeman of The Oregonian