Will Barton congratulated HC Terry Stotts on extension via text message signed 'The Thrill'
Can Will Barton get any more likable?
The impressive sophomore took some major strides late in the season, emerging as a fun and capable role player for the Portland Trail Blazers. That included an unlikely 17-point outburst in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs in the absence of Mo Williams.
He's an entertaining character off of the floor, too, and has quickly become a glue guy in the Blazers' locker room.
Oh, and he refers to himself as The Thrill, a nickname that Basketball Twitter has embraced and one that is apparently familiar to head coach Terry Stotts. When Stotts was awarded a multi-year extension this week, Barton sent him a congratulatory text with his nickname as a signature:
As for his own success, well, Barton is a believer in the power of positive thinking:
The 23-year-old guard will likely carve out a bigger role for the Blazers next season, assuming they make the no-brainer move of guaranteeing his $915,243 salary for 2014-15, which becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster on July 31.