Every day we’re taking one active NBA star with at least arguable Hall of Fame credentials and breaking down his chances of getting into the Springfield, Mass., hoops mecca. We’re looking at not just past accomplishments, but also how a player’s career realistically projects for the future. For a full explanation of the process, click here. Today’s candidate: Rasheed Wallace.
RASHEED WALLACE (13th year, Pistons/Hawks/Blazers/Bullets)
15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 steals per game
Why: One of the more versatile and efficiently effective forwards on his era, ‘Sheed is a standout defender and inside-outside scoring threat on offense; he could be grouped with Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber and Dirk Nowitzki as a player who helped change the perception of the power forward position. The three-time NBA All-Star was an invaluable part of the ‘04 championship Pistons, and has helped make them the defining Eastern Conference team of this decade. Similar to Garnett, Rasheed’s fans love him for his passion and leadership, even if his detractors can’t stand his apparently abrasive attitude and moodiness. A national high school Player of the Year at Simon Gratz H.S. in Philly, Rasheed’s college career was short but highly decorated — he is the ACC’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage and helped lead North Carolina to the Final Four as a sophomore.
Why not: Rasheed’s on-court (and loading dock) temper tantrums and controversial comments in the media (most recently comparing the NBA to pro wrestling) have always gotten more attention than his game. While his individual abilities are respected throughout the League, he doesn’t have much hardware to show for it; zero All-Defensive Team selections and not even an All-NBA third team nod. Before coming to the Pistons, ‘Sheed made a couple of deep playoff runs in Portland, playing in two Western Conference Finals, but rarely in his career has he been the best or second-best player on a legit contender. Some have argued that he’s been the best player on the 2000s-era Pistons, but many would also say the same about Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Wallace. And due to the fact that Rasheed typically plays on teams balanced in talent, his numbers have always been solid but not spectacular; he’s never finished in the NBA’s top 10 in any major statistical category.
Our call: OUT
The H.O.F. Watch archive
12/6 - Michael Redd
12/5 - “Too Early”
12/3 - Bruce Bowen
11/30 - Dikembe Mutombo
11/29 - Ron Artest
11/28 - Pau Gasol
11/27 - Kevin Garnett
11/26 - Manu Ginobili
11/21 - Amare Stoudemire
11/20 - Rip Hamilton
11/19 - Baron Davis
11/16 - Shaquille O’Neal
11/15 - Steve Francis
11/14 - Ben Wallace
11/13 - Sam Cassell
11/12 - LeBron James
11/9 - Tim Duncan
11/8 - Steve Nash
11/7 - Yao Ming
11/6 - Gilbert Arenas
11/5 - Robert Horry
11/2 - Kobe Bryant
11/1 - Grant Hill
10/31 - Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 - Tony Parker
10/29 - Elton Brand
10/26 - Carmelo Anthony
10/25 - Vince Carter
10/24 - Penny Hardaway
10/23 - Alonzo Mourning
10/22 - Allen Iverson
10/19 - Dwyane Wade
10/18 - Chauncey Billups
10/17 - Stephon Marbury
10/16 - Jason Kidd
10/15 - Shawn Marion
10/12 - Ray Allen
10/11 - Chris Bosh
10/10 - Chris Webber
10/9 - Paul Pierce
10/5 - Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 - Gary Payton
10/3 - Tracy McGrady
Related posts:
December 7th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Bust Jlaze says:
IN, dang it!!
December 7th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Bust Jlaze says:
If ANY power forwards from our era get in (of course excluding Timmy, he’s a lock), then Sheed gets in. Or is TD the only one?
December 7th, 2007 at 10:15 am
sam says:
only reason SHEED shouldn’t be IN is if people hate. stat-wise, talent and overall contribution to the game all point to induction.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:22 am
williams says:
sheed is so refreshing with his attitude to life and you can see how much he loves playing basketball. people love to watch him, he has a ring, he always has time for younger players and his overall standard of play gets him IN.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Bust Jlaze says:
And the only reason he has a bad reputation is becuase of his over-reaction to what he considers bad calls! Which only shows how much he’s into the game at the time, and it really reminds me of myself and my friends when we’re watching the game…outside of that, everyone in the league acknowleges that he’s one of the best teammates to have around, and you can see how much fun they have with him around. IN, GOT DANG IT!!
December 7th, 2007 at 10:29 am
SHEED FAN says:
I am a lifelong Pistons fan, so I am somewhat baised, but this is true… any one player that you can say if you take him away from that years championship team, they are drastically worse and have virtually no chance to win the ring, they are IN. Rasheed is one of the best shooting big men ever. If this guy was still in ATL Mikey may still be the coach next year. IN IN IN IN IN IN
December 7th, 2007 at 10:42 am
T.M.P.B.W.O.T.P. says:
The first 6 posters have to be Pistons fans. Are you serious? Rasheed in the Hall of Fame? Please. When has he ever been one of the 5 best PFs in the League? And you’re acting like he has multiple rings. He won ONE championship, and he might have been the 4th best player on the team.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Bust Jlaze says:
What are you tawkin’ bott? Dude’s been the top PF in the East for a MINUTE, up until Garnett came over, and even then he’s accomplished MUCH more than Garnett has. I’m sure there’s not many people that would say “OUT” to having Garnett inducted, so why wouldn’t ‘Sheed get in?
And the 4th best player on the Pistons? Wow. No Sheed, no ‘04 ring. Simple as that sonnnn…
December 7th, 2007 at 11:01 am
T.M.P.B.W.O.T.P. says:
If he’s been the top PF in the East, why does he only have 1 All-Star appearance (his other two were with Portland) to show for it?
In ‘04 Chauncey was Detroit’s floor leader and best clutch player. Rip was the top scorer. Ben Wallace was the best defender/rebounder. Prince was the second-best defender. What was Rasheed? I agree, his presence was vital in them winning the title, but that doesn’t make him a Hall of Famer. By your logic, Udonis Haslem should be a Hall of Famer for being vital to Miami’s 2006 title.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Duke says:
only reason SHEED shouldn’t be IN is if people hate. stat-wise, talent and overall contribution to the game all point to induction.
What do you mean by stat-wise?
His stats are mediocre at best.
And the only thing he has over Garnett is the ring, that’s it.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Phil B says:
In. Done and done.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Bust Jlaze says:
“The only thing he has over Garnett is the ring…”?? The ONLY thing? How bout getting past the first dang round?! How bout the Eastern Conference Championships, the 2 Finals appearances, and the run of Eastern Conference Finals appearances? I’m not saying he’s a better player than Garnett, but he’s definitely had a WAAAAAAAY more successful career, dag…
December 7th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Linca says:
But then, no Sheed, ‘05 ring ?
and no Horry HOF debate…
December 7th, 2007 at 11:13 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Here’s one…Sheed doesn’t get hurt in ‘06 against Cleveland, and that series is over in 5, instead of going 7. They woulda beat Miami again, instead of facing them worn out from the long series, and get to the finals AGAIN. I’m sayin’…Sheed makes that team go. When he’s down, the team’s down.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Duke says:
You’re saying it like Sheed was the one RESPONSIBLE for the Pistons getting to the finals.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Bust Jlaze says:
I AM saying he was responsible…think about it…Pistons made no moves until…actually they weren’t even considered true contenders even…until Sheed was signed. As soon as he got signed, they instantly were considered contenders.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:33 am
T.M.P.B.W.O.T.P. says:
This is crazy. Rasheed is an entertaining guy to watch and a good ballplayer, but an all-time great? His one ring doesn’t hold up to Bruce Bowen’s three, Tony Parker’s three, and Manu’s three. So any of you who said those three are OUT, you cannot put Rasheed IN. Y’all been eating crack omelets for breakfast.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Bust Jlaze says:
But I mean that’s all irrelevant…we’re off-base here with the “who’s the best Pistons player” nonsense…my argument is basically this: Dude’s been holding the Pistons down for the past 4/5 seasons, a team that’s been at the top of the east for the same amount of time. He’s accomplished much, with the ring and trophies, and there’s no other PF in the East - and second only to Duncan in the LEAGUE - that has had the same success as him. That’s all from me…
December 7th, 2007 at 11:43 am
T.M.P.B.W.O.T.P. says:
OK, but that doesn’t make Rasheed a Hall of Famer. He’s been a good player on a good team (so was Derek Fisher), but we’re not talking about a dynasty here. Detroit won one championship with Rasheed. Where was he at last year when they couldn’t beat a clearly less-talented Cleveland team? Where was he at in ‘06 when they couldn’t hold off the Heat? Where was he at when they lost to the Spurs in ‘05? Oh wait … he was stupidly doubling Manu in the corner so he could leave ROBERT HORRY wide open. Again, Rasheed is nice, but he’s not HOF worthy at all.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Bust Jlaze says:
(ok I’ll make one more argument…you got me goin’ on your last comment T….)
I get what you’re saying, but if we’re talking about this era’s players, and you take ‘Sheed out of the running…then Duncan’s the ONLY PF that gets in from our era. I’m ok with that, but is that going to happen? Cause if they induct ANY OTHER PF, then you HAVE TO induct ‘Sheed. Who else? The only answer is Garnett! And how does HE get in and not Sheed?
December 7th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Gee says:
You know I am not good at writing letters…%$%# I don’t even write rhymes.
Simply put because of his image that he created for himself alone NO.
He is a great player. Unfortunately many times it’s our life outside and inside of our jobs that hold us back from more accomplishments. It’s good he has a ring, cause there will be no Hall for him.
In our society image is everything and he does not have a great one.
Let us also remember Sheed does have one ring but it wasn’t like he was Jordan and for that matter Pippen in getting it.
The Pistons had a squad and sure Sheed was trememdously valuable in getting it but he had plenty of help as he helped the plenty.
Outside of that, college career nice, NBA career stat wise excellent…..from there it starts to fade to black.
No team USA, no medals, no all defensive team and ect.
We must also remember that they consider a lot of different things in selecting Hall members and just being an outstanding player is awesome and having one ring is beautiful too but did he transcend the game…naw. Did he “carry” any teams to a championship..naw. Is he marketable outside of anything dealing with anger management..naw again. He from the U.S. so he can’t even get in on overseas credit lol.
Now I agree his tech. fouls come from his passion for the game. Still aren’t there other players in the L. that have the same passion and no how to control it? Yes.
Sorry Sheed. I think had you not gotten into that verbal war of words with E-40 you might have a chance lol.
Imma have to say nope though.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Gee says:
Oh yea and Sheed and K.G. is like oil and water. For all the things Sheed doesn’t have K.G. does outside a ring. Then considering K.G. does have comparable stats and is only missing the ring. K.G. would def. get in and Sheed still be out.
Don’t compare them, compare Sheed with someone like Dirk, Matrix or Rodman but not K.G.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
fiyaman says:
Out.. Underachievers dont deserve to be in
December 7th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
Aite…I guess me and Sheed will take our ring-based argument and go home. I was basing it on his overall accomplishments, putting more weight on the deep playoff runs and junk, but you guys are right…I think the Hall places more emphasis on “All-such-and-such team” votes and stats. Which I’m not knocking, ’cause you can’t vote everyone that has deep playoff runs into the Hall. And that’s why cats with no rings, like ‘Nique, are in. Cats like that were NASTY and deserve to get in, even if they weren’t successful enough on the team-level.
But if you’re gonna let cats with no real playoff success in, (I see cats on the list that were only really nice in COLLEGE), why not get a dude that was extremely successful in college AND Pros, AND was able to collect some banners in the process? LET US IN DANG IT!!
December 7th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Myrie says:
OUT. I don’t see where Wallace has had a HOF career. It’s great that he 6″11 and can shoot 3s, but that don’t get you into the Hall. Arvydas Sabonis was shooting 3s too ya know.
I like Sheed. Truthful and honest. Still does his winter coat drive in Philly. But HOF? Based on what?…Leading the league in techs and ejections each year?
December 7th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Duke says:
Stop saying he had an “extremely successful” career. he didn’t, he had a mediocre career.
December 7th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Damon says:
Lol,
he is a good player, talented as hell, BUT he never put it together, he underachieved all the time, 6.9 reb , are you kidding me?
he was never in the top 5 at his position, and didn’t have enough success to make up for it( a ring is nice, but that does not get you in)
BTW, he was the best PF in the east? when was that, maybe talent-wise, but not based on his play,the healthy JO(until 06) and Bosh( since 06) were just better players
his allstar spot in 06 was just because of the teams record, not his production
i like him as a player, his antics are …
NOPE
December 7th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Celts Fan says:
I love Sheed both as a player and his personality (”We done smoked it all up.” are you fuckin kidding me? amazing.) He has had an extremely successful career despite some people’s arguments against that. He’s been on contenders his whole career and been vital parts of them, so I’ll always support a guy like that over someone like an Elton Brand. Problem is, he has one college ring and one pro ring and his numbers don’t exactly jump off the page at you. If he gets another ring or 2, he might be in. Now, he’s not. I wish he would be though. That induction speech would be AMAZING (assuming he didn’t get high the night before and decide to watch South Park DVDs and eat Doritos instead of going.)
December 7th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Celts Fan says:
Bonus points for that mystery patch of gray hair
December 7th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Gee says:
Hey who rememebers this…”Again my man…both teams played hard” lol Hilarious. That was the only thing Sheed would say.
Classic
December 7th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
sam says:
“CTC”
another sheed-ism.
def HOF material.
plus he’s been rocking AF1’s on the court since day one. old skool keepin’ it real.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
jojo says:
can someone tell me what the spot on his head is?
December 7th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
AY says:
in response to the question “was sheed ever the best pf”
at one time, after watching him take duncan to the 3, take garnett to the post, out tough cwebb and drive right around malone, while playing great positional defense against everyone, i had sheed as the best pf in the league. I think the biggest issue with sheed is the fact that he looks great when you watch him, complete offensive player who changes games on defense, but he can’t get stats because his teams are always very good. If you want to just look at stats, shareef abdur-rahim was getting 20-10 during the vancouver era.
I’d say rasheed is in, and don’t compare him to kg; rasheed is a winner.
December 7th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Prof. TX says:
Out.
He won’t get in, and partly because reputation and attitude really do count. Saying that the NBA is fixed will not win the support of players that vote and actually earned their titles. Don’t forget that the HOF is supposed to be the all-time best. Even if he is a good player by today’s standards (not even in the top 20 to most people, given how much talent there is right now), is he really worthy to have his name beside Jordan and Kareem and Magic and Olajuwon and all the others of that quality? He’s not even close to guys like that.
December 7th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Damon says:
don’t compare him to garnett, he is a winner?
sheed always had talent around him, it wasn’t him that made the clutch plays
if you would put garnett on the pistons the last couple of years, they would have won more than one ring
and sheed on the wolves, even uglier than it was with kg who at least let them to the playoff most of the time
you shoudn’t compare kg to sheed, cause KG is an alltime great
btw, and as funny as sheeds comments are, he just dosn’t have any class and often acts like a moron
December 7th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
gdon says:
haha i expected lots of ‘hell noes’ in the comments, but wow, what is up with everybody. How would Sheed get in?? I’d almost take all the people Dime outed on their list before this guy. I’m not even knocking his game, he’s a pretty good player - everyone on the list is. But the freaking Hall of Fame? Really guys? lol!
December 7th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
gdon says:
haha too funny i had laugh again.
December 7th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
dagwaller says:
Sheed is a classic case of a very good player on very good teams. Those are the guys that win rings, not get into the HOF or get individual accolades. As a player, which would you rather have? As a fan, I know that I’d rather have guys like Sheed and TD that you know are passionate and team driven than some of the guys that put up tons of individual numbers. That having been said, he’s got his ring, but he won’t get into the HOF.
December 9th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Ian says:
damon stop plaing that what if game
sheed isn and underachiever like someone said
garnett is
dagwaller i agree with your post
AY so when has sheed been better than duncan
and sheed was among the leagues best pf’s hes what made the pistons take the jump to championship team
if garnett is in then why not sheed who always goes deep in the playoffs
December 10th, 2007 at 12:50 am
DOC says:
That spot is a birthmark dickhead. Yall can say Sheed was always on good teams but he made the teams good. Even in high school he would get 15 10 and beast on D and they was national champs. I’m from his way so I seen it all.Even his dum ass step pop kick him out when he was like 14 and i was about 9 for being to lazy and his dum ass still live there. Went to UNC took them to the final 4 then bounced. They said Dean Smith would never get a Philly baller again cause Sheed stop goin to class from December that year. Was a monster in Portland and Detroit had the same team for 2 or 3 years minus Sheed and couldn’t do shit and as soon as they get him at the deadline championship. And even now if he keep his cool they win, if he blackout its a wrap(Cleveland series). And we dont know what KG woulda did with the Pistons he gotta squad now so if he dont win its gonna be a lot of salty dudes. Sheed in for sure.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:31 am
K-Dizzle says:
My last Rasheed memory is dude takin two techs against lebron and cleveland in game 6 meaning he couldn’t even play if pistons had pulled it out and got to game 7. i don’t care how passionate you are, you lead the league in techs 3 straight years, you got self-control issues and not one all-nba mention. Shoulda been a better player with all his talent.Please stop comparin sheed to kg cuz they not even close in style of play. The final piece of the Detroit championship puzzle in ‘04 but that can be said about all 5 starters.Will always get the Baron and AI street love, versatile, clutch and when he’s on, no power forward/center in the league can hold him. Numbers should be better whether his teams were stacked or not. Classic underachiever
Out
December 10th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
ian says:
doc
im with u everytime there is a good player like sheed or duncan a couple of people post that the losers like garnett are better is just because they dont have talent around them. thats bullshit duncan and sheed is what made their teams winners
btw sheed is nice but hes out for me
December 10th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Dave says:
Sheed is an interesting case. He has HOF-caliber talent, to be sure, but it appears that its his personality that always kept him from putting up the numbers that he was certainly capable of. If he had anything close to Jordan’s attitude, his HOF status wouldn’t even be debatable.
However, in a league full of over-sized egos its refreshing to see someone with all the talent in the world who’s spent a long career being satisfied with fitting into the team concept.
Unfortunately, that mindset, plus all of the technicals will keep him out. However, I don’t think he’ll care.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Bizil says:
First of all let me start out by saying that Sheed should be on the Mount Rushmore of Power Forwards for his era. Along with KG, Dirk, and C-Webb. I know people are gonna say what about Duncan? Duncan without question is the best PF ever but he didn’t change how the PF was viewed. Sheed, KG, Dirk, and C-Webb are are responsible for the marriage of the PF and SF position in the 7′0 body. Barkley did it back in the day but he was 6′5. Sheed can go inside and outside better that any seven footer in history. He’s also a top shelf defender and unselfish teammate. He can play 3-5 in his sleep and could have had better numbers in his career but every team Sheed ever played on (minus the cup of coffee with the Hawks)was stacked. Remember the Bullets back in the day. They had C-Webb, Howard, and Big George in the frontcourt. They had Rod Strickland running the show. Sheed didn’t have to be the man. Then on to Portland where to this day they were the deepest team in the league at the time. Pippen, Steve Smith, Damon, Sabonis, Brian Grant, Detlef, Jermaine O’ Neal, etc. Sheed didn’t have to be the man. Portland would have won a ring if it wasn’t for Kobe and Shaq going ape at the very end. Detroit has had the best starting five for about 6 years and they won a ring. Ask Portland and Detroit who the most talented player was on those teams and they’ll tell you Sheed. Sheed was the ultimate team player. If Sheed was in a Dominique type situation where he had to put up 25-30 a night for his team to compete he had the talent to lead the league in scoring if he had too. He has played on a lot of winning teams that made conference finals, finals, and hell he has a ring. Then you have Sheed’s reputation that is blown out of proportion. Sheed is the perfect big man for international competiton (C-Webb too) but yet he’s never invited. So due to Sheed being misunderstood and being unselfish on great teams Sheed won’t make it. HOF talent and HOF attitude and he changed the game with his sick talent. In my mind Sheed is a HOFer no matter what.