Atlanta » From his third-row seat at center court, Wes Matthews looked every bit a proud father Friday night, down to his navy blue sweater and light blue polo shirt -- Jazz colors, of course.

A nine-year NBA veteran who played on six teams in his career -- including back-to-back Lakers championship teams in the 1980s -- Matthews was at Philips Arena to watch his son Wesley play in person for the first time with the Jazz.

"I try to be cool, but it's just a warm, fuzzy feeling," Wes said, adding, "That's my man. Not only is he my son, that's my friend. We have a great time talking the game and whenever he needs me, he knows I'm a phone call away."

Although he was raised by his mother in Madison, Wis., Wesley said he and his father have traded text messages every day of the season. He finished with 11 points in 23 minutes in the Jazz's loss to the Hawks.

Wes was a first-round draft pick in 1980, but his son made the Jazz's roster after going undrafted out of Marquette. He moved into the starting lineup in November and has stuck for 18 games now.

"It was just unbelievable that he was getting an opportunity to make the team," Wes said, "and then for him to advance and to learn the system, to get his feet wet, and for Jerry [ Sloan ] to trust him as much as he does, it's every father's dream."

Wes, who works as a private trainer in the area, was planning to travel to Charlotte for tonight's game and visit his son in Utah "when the weather gets a little better."

"We just talk basketball, from my perspective to his," Wes said, "and I tell him to enjoy it and just have fun. This is a beautiful time in his life."

"He'll be the first to tell you that it's not about him, it's about me," Wesley said. "He's happy, he's proud, and I'm excited for him to be happy."

Wes said his son seemed to be creating a "niche" for himself with his defense and basketball IQ. He's tried to offer some pointers from the games he's watched on television and said his son has only shown flashes of his ability to attack the basket.

Wes also learned that he owns a place in the Jazz record books. He set the opponent record for most assists in a quarter with 10 in the second quarter of a Jan. 8, 1988 game when he played with the Lakers.

"That was because I was probably running around chasing John Stockton ," he said.

Briefly

With a second-quarter block of a Marvin Williams dunk bid, Andrei Kirilenko passed Greg Ostertag for second on the all-time franchise list. Kirilenko, who had two blocks in the game and 1,255 for his career, trails Mark Eaton by 1,809. ... Former Jazz guard Brevin Knight is working as Charlotte's radio broadcast analyst and is set to call tonight's game.

Knight played in 74 games last season with the Jazz, averaging 2.4 points and 2.6 assists, but was not re-signed as a free agent.

rsiler@sltrib.com