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.