Wesley plays through the pain 13-year vet says sitting out not an option despite team's standing By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle SACRAMENTO - Darius Miles, fighting for position in the low blocks, popped David Wesley with an elbow, a direct hit to cracked rib on Wesley's left side. Wesley winced in pain during Wednesday's game in Portland. "It was as if he knew right where it was," Wesley said. Two days later against Golden State, Wesley drove into the lane, ricocheted off bodies in the paint and grimaced in agony. His rib throbbed the rest of the night. "I thought he was going to collapse out there," Rockets guard Rafer Alston said. With the Rockets out of the playoff chase, Wesley would seem to have nothing to gain from playing hurt at the end of his 13th season. But he said he simply prefers playing, even in pain, to watching. "It shows how much he cares, how much pride and courage he has," Alston said. "A lot of guys would say, 'I have a cracked rib,' and pack it in. He keeps going out there." Wesley asked Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy to allow him to travel with the team and watch from the bench while he was too hurt to play, then came back as soon as he went consecutive days or workouts without too much soreness. "I realize I'm coming down to the end (of his career)," Wesley said. "I just want to play. This is what I enjoy doing." But Wesley, 35, does not, plan for this to be the end of his NBA career. A free agent in the offseason, Wesley said he hopes to sign with the Rockets for next season but has not had any talks with the team. "We can't go down like this," Wesley said. "This is not how it was supposed to be. I would definitely like to play better, win more games, have a healthier year next year." On a roll when he pulled a hamstring two games before his rib was broken falling into a photographer last month in San Antonio, Wesley (6-1) has averaged 10.3 points and three assists this year, making 40.7 percent of his shots and a team-best 37.2 percent on 3-pointers. His 11,735 points are second in NBA history among undrafted players behind only Moses Malone. So by now, he said he will not worry about his image if he struggles a week or two with an injury as he heads toward free agency. "It's not an absolute must I play next year," Wesley said. "I'm not playing for a contract or anything like that. I'm playing because I want to play. If that's how people look at it as opposed to how I played the last 13 years, I'm not going to worry about it. "I'm sure (the Rockets) are looking at a bunch of options, the draft and free agency. I've always been a small shooting guard, so every year I've been a guy they've tried to replace. Why should this year be any different? I've heard trade rumors and talk of bringing in bigger guards, more athletic. I just play hard and do what I do. "I want to stay regardless of who they bring in. I'm going to beat his (behind), too." For now, he has more immediate concerns — finishing the season. "I made it through round two," he said. "Six more to go." jonathan.feigen@chron.com --------------------------------------------------- Wow, Wesley is definately a warrior. He is probably not good enough to be a starter for any contending team, but he certainly deserves a lot of respect.
other than the bobby phils incident, i have nothing but the utmost respect for d wes, but i dont think the rockets are gonna resign him next year
Do you hold the Bobby Phills incident against him? They were both being stupid and unfortunately Phills was killed. I didn't think it was Wesley's fault.
i dont this it was solely dwes's fault or anything....they're both to blame, because if you have a family and so on, you shouldn't be doing stupid stuff like that...anyways, let's not focus on the negative i think dwes has been a very solid nba player over the years and has played well for the rockets and been a true professional on the court its unfortunate, but i think his time has run out with the rox, maybe i'm wrong
I think he'd still be of use even coming off the bench. He had that slump early on but picked it up. He definitely plays better with T-mac in the mix so he compliments them well. It's important for us to find a 2-guard but I'm happy with his production WHEN everyone is healthy.
when he's healthy and getting regular minutes, he can shoot. proven this year. his shot has gone down when he's played through injuries...but he's had to play ridiculous minutes for an older undersized guard due to all the injuries.
there's worse options then wesley as a backup shooting guard. i hope we keep him around next year but we have to get some height and athleticism in the backcourt.
David Wesley plays through pain. Yao Ming played through pain. Tracy McGrady played through pain. Damn! Almost the whole team played through pain. Well.............this is nothing new for this season.
He plays a really important role in Jeff VanGandy's defence. I still remember the last time he froze Ray Allen.
His 11,735 points are second in NBA history among undrafted players behind only Moses Malone. Wow, nice stat. Hopefully Wesley can still knock down the threes.
Dwes is the perfect backup point guard. He should play no more than 20 minutes a game if that. edit: I meant shooting guard.
There is a big difference between playing as long as you can in pain and playing thru the pain. If you sit out multiple games you are not 'playing thru the pain'. Yao and Tracy do not get 'toughness awards' for anything they've done this season.
