Why Rasheed Wallace Would Be a Mistake for the Celtics
Over on CelticsBlog, we just saw that Danny Ainge showed up on Rasheed Wallace’s doorstep last night at midnight to give Boston’s recruiting pitch to the free agent.
That pretty much tells you, just like everyone’s been talking about for the past few days, ‘Sheed is Boston’s No. 1 free agent target this offseason. On paper, a lineup of ‘Sheed, KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo (assuming Boston can’t swing a trade to get him out of town), looks pretty solid. But there are lots of concerns.
First off, they’re old. Whether it was because ‘Sheed just didn’t care about last season or whatever, by the time the Cavs dismissed the Pistons, he didn’t look like he had much left in the tank. Would a move to Boston rejuvenate him? Maybe. But I wouldn’t be looking for a whole lot out of Wallace beyond just hanging out at the top of the key to jack threes. Another shooter helps them, but it’s not really what they need – another athletic perimeter player who can create his own shot and take some of the scoring burden off of Paul Pierce.
And how about Rasheed’s on-court antics? Even the most die-hard Detroit fan has to admit that it’s a tired act at this point. Maybe playing with KG, Pierce and Ray will chill him out a bit.
Overall, I think Boston clearly needs to get younger and faster. Remember when the Celtics’ master plan behind drafting Len Bias was that his youth and athleticism would extend the careers of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish? Danny Ainge needs to apply that same type of thinking to this Boston team. While there’s probably nobody out there like a Len Bias, there are guys to be had. The San Antonio Spurs just pulled off exactly what I’m talking about with their acquisition of Richard Jefferson. The Spurs moved a few bit pieces for a guy who will keep their championship contender window open a few years long just by being in the mix.
A move like that makes a ton more sense than paying for a guy who might be done.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:42 pm
karizmatic says:
Nah I disagree I think Sheed is actually a good look for Boston this is one of the places he might actually fit in. The only thing is I would bring him off the bench, and let him be in for the end game. That way I keep his legs fresh have him for insurance in case KG goes down and I have him when Perkins shoulder gives out or he gets into foul trouble.
July 1st, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Diego says:
That would be a poor signing. They would be better with Perkins (or Big Baby or Powe) in the starting line-up. Rasheed is old, washed up…and way overrated when he was in his prime.
But I’d love to see it happen: The 3 whiney caballeros: Rasheed, Garnett and Pierce. Great potential combustion if things don’t start out well.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Ansonious says:
Sheed would be great with the Cavs
July 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Prof. TX says:
How exactly would spending time with KG make someone do LESS crazy stuff on the court?
July 1st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
lee says:
Yeah, hanging with KG will keep Sheed’s on court antics down !!!!
July 1st, 2009 at 2:31 pm
goonther says:
“And how about Rasheed’s on-court antics? Even the most die-hard Detroit fan has to admit that it’s a tired act at this point. Maybe playing with KG, Pierce and Ray will chill him out a bit.”
if anything playing with the Celtics will make his antics worse…. and also add to the “false swagger” that you guys talk about with the celts so much
July 1st, 2009 at 2:40 pm
SK says:
They don’t have the large contracts to swing a trade like the magic and spurs did. That is unless of course they trade Allen, but how much could they possibly get for him at this point? Boston needs a backup point and center because Scalabrine isn’t going to cut it.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
G says:
I actually think the plan would be to have Sheed come off the bench and still start Perkins. He’s got the legs to handle a back-up role and would be exactly what the Celts need coming off the bench. It’s a good look. Definitely.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
sh!tfaced says:
the celtics are pretty limited by cap space and (lack of) assets to pull off a trade like the sprus. if there was/will be opportunity out there, ainge would/will make it happen. the biggest asset boston has right now is the chance to contend for a championship.
wallace may make them older but fewer minutes means fresher legs for the postseason. this will also lessen the pressure between perk and sheed and just be themselves. perk not watching himself make too many fouls because sheed is there and sheed getting all the tech’s he wants because perk is there. and we all thought perk’s play couldn’t get any rougher.
and with the upgrades done by the cavs and the magic, this will keep the celtics at par with the best teams.
July 1st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
ndrules says:
i want this to work for two reasons: 1.) The disease that is Rasheed will be gone from the Pistons and they might be contenders without a useless “center”. 2.) I hate the Celtics and would like to see them ruined by Rasheed or at least see Rasheed get into a fight with Pierce (hopefully both would be severely injured-i hate them both).
July 1st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Dee says:
I sitll think the Celtics need to resign Powe.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Kudabeen says:
So is it a done deal that Bill Walker, JR Giddens and Pruit are not going to be contributors in this league?
Celtics could have been younger last year if they would have given their rookies more time rather than tossing them away to the D-League over practicing and playing against NBA talent. Celtics had one of the best records and early on could have afforded to play Bill walker and Gidden with the vets, but decided to keeps vets on the floor late into deciding games as a matter of what? to prove their durability? Down Goes KG! Now what? Ray Allen looks out of it? Now what? Pierce can’t get to the basket? Now what? Powe is no mo! Now What?
Bill Walker is a proven athlete, but needs time and development, so you toss him away? Gidden as well is a proven athlete, but you toss him away. No one can convince me that they couldn’t take minutes off of Pierce and Allen’s legs and been more productive than Scal and Allen…
I think Sheed works coming off the bench for Boston. Nothing was really said about his D. Sheed still is one of the best post defenders in the L. He gives Boston a team, much like Detroit that will stymie anything Orlando tries to do sans Hedo initiating the offense.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Kudabeen says:
*That is Tony Allen and I meant to say they played their vets late in games that were already decided.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:24 pm
King says:
Putting sheednin the line-up would be great for the C’s.. We would have the best defensive frontline with sheed kg and perk.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
SagJism says:
The 3 whiney caballeros: Rasheed, Garnett and Pierce. Great potential combustion if things don’t start out well.
Klassic
July 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Patrick Cassidy says:
I kind of think it’s hilarious that there seems to be a lot of people who just assume Rasheed Wallace would be cool coming off the bench behind Kendrick Perkins.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pm
SagJism says:
Sorry, Forgot the quotes but iti was from post #2, great line.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:28 pm
dapro says:
This is a good look for the C’s
Sheed isn’t coming off the bench that’s a no no, he gives them size and a legitimate threat to score 10-14 a game
He respects KG, this I know. Make this move if it doesn’t cost too much
July 1st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
DA ONE says:
thats gonna be the most classless team in the nba
July 1st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
solomon (el latino machismo) says:
sheed to the celtics… wow… kg screaming like shit… sheed screaming like shit… that’d be the noisiest, most trash talking team EVER…
July 1st, 2009 at 10:00 pm
JD says:
First off, Sheed WILL be coming off the bench, and your either an idiot or non-Celtic fan if you think that he is going to be starting. He will be able to spell both KG and Perkins, which will be great as both of those guys are now injury-worries. He’ll be a fantastic role player because he can stretch the floor and play defense. He’ll get plenty of open looks too playing with guys like Pierce, Garnett and Rondo. I think this is a great move.
July 1st, 2009 at 10:01 pm
#CelticsFan101 says:
I think SHEED works well wit the Celts. He will be MORE versatile if he comes off the bench, and if he does, will give the C’s more point production, defense, and spread the floor for Boston’s shooters. They will definetly be a contender and Ainge is makin good decisions & progress in the campaign for 2010 championship. But the main Qs ppl r going to want answers for is if he cooperates, skip the antics, leave his attitides, and earn his money right instead of gettin just a free ride for a RING!!
But on the whole…….this is a good business move, hoping these negotiations go in a right direction…….
July 1st, 2009 at 10:04 pm
#CelticsFan101 says:
Celtics should trade Tony Allen, Pruit, Giddens.
Sign House to a longer contract cuz he is a great player the Celts cannot give up, and give Rondo&Ray contract extensions to avoid the 2010 free agent class frenzy !!!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
#CelticsFan101 says:
CELTICS + SHEED – T.A, PRUIT, AND GIDDENS + A WING-MAN (NAMELY J.R. SMITH or VON WAFER) + THE BIG 4 = 18TH CHAMPIONSHIP, RINGZ, CHAMPAYNE, FRENCH CIGARS, AND CELTS FAN AROUND THE NATION A WORTHWHILE SEASON !!!!
July 1st, 2009 at 10:26 pm
rocco says:
How about Turkoglu or Ariza for the celts? Or J-Kidd? All 3 seem like a better fit than Rasheed Malice
I also agree that adding young players is the way to go – How would Ronnie Brewer look in a celts uni? Or a one year contract for a sean may
The celts are in position to make a few robert swift-esque oddball pickups as they scour the waiver wires for the next Birdman
July 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Brian says:
Rasheed isn’t exactly what they need but it doesn’t hurt them. He won’t be getting as much time as he did on the Pistons so he probably won’t be getting quite as many technicals, that’s what Perkins is for. I also think that having 3 hall-of-fame veterans with him will calm him down.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
smoove chips says:
kg n sheed together?this is supposed to mellow out sheed lol !!
the coaching staff gon need tranquilizer guns to run practices.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
leo says:
The celtics already have the best starting 5 in the NBA.
If they CAN :
Sign this summer Rasheed to be our back up center with their mid level money available.
Sign Drew Gooden as thier back up power forward (instead of spending that money on a new contract for undersized Glen Davis)
Sign either Marbury, Kidd Bigby as thier back up point guard with thier veteran minimum money.
Sign Leon powe to a veteran minimum contract to add even more depth as our 3rd string insurance back up small and power forward.
Play and develop Walker as thier back up small forward,
Play and develop Pruit as our future back up point guard.
Trade the expiring contracts of Scalabrine, Allen to get that money off thier books,
That along with the signing of House will then give the celtics one of the best benches in the leauge next year and will also allow them to groom alot of younger players for future use.
This way we have a great chance to win # 18 next year and prep for the future when the big gun vets retire
July 6th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
#1CelticsFan101 says:
Celts would be on the verge on having a very successful offseason if SHEED goes to the Celts. All the contenders ~ CAVS, Magics, Lakers; have gotten great aquirements, and now the Celtics r getting 1 two. They still need a swingman, and a back-up point as well. I heard the Celts r after vet Grant Hill, and i think it would be kool getting him too………maybe some1 a little bit younger would be nice too, but u can never have too many vets.
I also think the Celts should let Marbury go and get a young back-up point. They should have gotten Tyrese Rice, he would have been perfect, but since he went undrafted, the Celts could sign him, savin them less cash$. He is both talented and a great passer. Or the Celts should trade some of the guys that were not good this year ~ like T.A., Pruitt, and Giddens. They STINK and getting rid of them clears up room on the roster, and saves some cash. Then use the $ to give Rondo, Allen, and Pierce extensions to avoid next year’s free agency. Ohh!! but they should also resign both Big Baby & Leon.
With these moves……this year’s NBA Season would be crazy as ever !! And the Celtics WILL have Banner #18 hangin in the raptors