How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Sheed
I was more than a little hesitant to embrace Rasheed Wallace. Ok, I'll go a step further. I openly lobbied to keep him out of Celtic green. I don't remember doing that for any other free agent. Here's what I had to say (in case you missed it).
I'm not a Rasheed Wallace fan. I don't like him. I respect what he's done in his career and I'm sure he'll be playing for someone next year, but I just hope it isn't the Celtics.
That was a month ago. Now I'm all for it. I'm on board. I'm excited about the Rasheed Wallace era. What happened? What changed my mind? Here are a few reasons, in no particular order.
- Ok, this is the biggest reason. I took the time to get to know Sheed better. I learned that while he's a really big jerk to the officials, he's extremely well liked by teammates and coaches. I learned that while he doesn't always play up to his potential, his potential is right off the charts. In short, he's the perfect guy to add to a team built on Ubuntu and driving for a championship.
- Maybe Sheed is a bit off-putting to many people on the basketball court. Does that sound like another big man on the Celtics that I'm head over heels for? Ok, maybe that describes two big men on the Celtics that I'm head over heels for. We might have the most hated big man rotation ever, and I'm starting to dig that.
- Short term commitment = going for it within the window of opportunity. If it were a longer term contract, I'd maybe get worried. But it isn't, so I'm not. The worst case is that we don't win anything, he detonates the locker room, and we have to start over from scratch. The best case is that we win it all the next two years and the Lakers get a big asterisk on their title called "what if KG was healthy in '09?" I can live with that. Either one is better than fading away quietly.
- Maybe Celtics fans will stop complaining about the officials because Sheed is taking care of it for them. ...yeah, right.
- It sounds like Grant Hill is coming to town too. Love this move. If you are going to go Old School, go all the way. You're my boy Blue! Let's go streaking!!!
- He fits. It has been pointed out before, but it bears repeating. Doc loves big men that can shoot and stretch the floor. Thibodeau loves bigs that have a great basketball IQ and know where to be on defense at all times. Done and done. He gives us a great 3 man rotation in the post. I'd still like to see another big signed or traded for, but we'll see what happens with Big Baby first.
- This was Plan A. I'm sure Ainge had contingency plans, but this was his first choice. That says something to me. I wasn't a fan of trading Al Jefferson for KG until I looked at it from all angles. It also helped that we got Ray Allen and the plan made more sense. Now I can see the method to the madness and I'm glad to see we didn't have to settle for 2nd best.
So the long and short of it is that I was a skeptic before and now I'm a believer. Of course seeing Rasheed buy in to us makes it a lot easier to buy into him. So I'm on board all the way. And if it doesn't work out well, ...hey, I can still say "I told you so."
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Ya know . . . .
This is the way it is for every team. LA can contend if Kobe is healthy, Clev can contend if LBJ is healthy, Orland can contend if Howard is healthy, SA can contend as long as Ginobli/Duncan/Parker are healthy. We’re in the same boat as everyone else when it comes to being dependant on the health of players. To act as though somehow the Celtics are the only team with this problem is naive. The age card exaggerates it, and if Danny is going for depth here with Wallace and Hill it lessens the impact of injuries should they happen.
This was the right thing to do.
Sometimes I think Danny could bring in Duncan and CP as additions to this roster and people would still find a black cloud on the horizon.
by tmcdon on Jul 5, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
True, but...
No team has lost more titles due to injuries than Boston!
1958…1973…1982…1985…1987…2009
You're not the only one Jeff
I wasn’t high on Sheed at first either, but finally got on board because of petty much the same reasons you posted.
What night of the week will be Bingo night in the Celtics locker room?
B34 ……..B34
Over the “Hill” Gang …..
Oh well – this might be fun
Is it Soup Yet?
Either one is better than fading away quietly.
I agree. The whole idea of trading Al Jeff and company was to win NOW not later, and if you’re going to do that, then go for it. It’s great watching this team content for a title and it’s a great joy to watch them play “Rotwieller” defense. Wallace will only add to that intensity and focus to win.
Sorry Jeff but you still don't get it
your worst case scenario inclued Sheed being a problem in the locker room.
Jeff: he is NOT going to be a problem in the locker room. Never. Ever.. Not this year next year, or in an alternate universe.
You mean the Celtics locker room right?:>)
amen
there is a gross misunderstanding about wallace. he has never had problems with teammates or coaches. ref’s yes. but he is about as far from a locker room cancer as possible. i would say he was the glue of those detroit teams. his “championship belts” and attitude is what gelled that team together.
by ChainSmokingLikeDino on Jul 6, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
no, I think I understand
but there are many that said he gave up on his team in last year’s playoffs (I think that must have happened because of AI and the new coach that Rip and perhaps others didn’t like) – and that wouldn’t go well here at all
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
I agree Jeff, AI destroyed what billups and 'sheed had built. Rip is Rip...
…but i remember sheed saying that it didn’t matter because talent and drive should overcome adversity. Seems he really wasn’t serious because he obviously chooses a healthy locker-room over a dysfunctional one
Mind changed
Agree with all the points in the article, plus… Mostly, I was hesitant about Sheed because he seemed lazy and uninvolved last season, which was worrying. But now I think that was because of the team he was on. He hated their trade moves, and his heart was just not in the game at all.
But with KG on the team… omg, I think those two will BURN each other – and their opponents, of course – to a crisp, like every night. Think how much fun it’s going to be watching this group of guys interact… Sheed is nothing if not entertaining and he’s certainly a bona fide character. This season is gonna be fun to watch.
Interesting that both the Lakers and the Celtics got nuttier going into next season. The difference is that LA got nuttier in a bad way, while the Cs got nuttier in a quirky, fun way. Plus Artest is subtraction by addition in my view, while Sheed is a clear positive.
by DRJ1 on Jul 5, 2009 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Artest to Lakers vs Wallace to Celtics
I would be interested to hear what people think the impact of Artest will be on the Lakers. My hope is that Artest is bad for the Lakers, but I suspect he will be a plus for them.
Artest
My thoughts on that is he will be a strong positive for the Lakers. He is still a very good defender, strong shooter and above average rebounder with a knack for scoring when you need him too and decent passer. I would take Artest on any team. He is an upgrade over Ariza for this season and maybe for another two. The Lakers lucked out (again). Losing Odom would mitigate a portion of this positive, however I haven’t heard that any team was close to signing Odom.
by funkstarrdeluxe on Jul 6, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
CHeck it right here!
What did you say to me paper champion?
-Mr.T
by CaliforniaGreen on Jul 6, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I remember
Artest doing a number on Pierce. I agree it makes the Lakers a tougher team.
He'll be a plus
On the offensive end, they now have Kobe plus 3 guys who could fill in as a second scoring option on any good playoff team. Ron, Pau or even Odom can go off for 20 on any given night. That’s a lot of options, assuming Phil can keep everybody on the same page.
On defense, I’m less clear he’s a big improvement. Maybe I haven’t seen enough of Artest lately, but it’s not clear to me that he’s much better than Ariza today, especially as a team defender. Ariza made some awfully big plays for the Lakers in the championship series. Can Ron do better than that?
For the Cs – Rasheed is a huge upgrade on offense, and an improvement against most players on D. Only limitation I see is that I doubt he has the beef to deal with the really big centers out there – Howard and Shaq come to mind. BBD wouldn’t exactly dominate those guys either, but he’s strong enough to make it very hard for them to establish position close to the basket, which is often enough. For DH, I’m very content to let him shoot 8-10 feet out.
I was skeptical as well
and I agree… seeing how excited he is to come here and foregoing other offers… well, that sold me.
Our front court will be riddled with technical fouls now
Preface: love the addition.
But now we have to worry about the old guys not only getting hurt but also losing our entire frontcourt (and Ray Allen) to techs. Perk and ‘Sheed will probably get teed up a few times a year separately and together. Oh and they’ll probably fight each other too and get teed for that. More verbal jousting on our end. Should be fun. I’d love to see Cassell back to add to that department. Or Gary Payton.
Like the Sheed signing...
not sold on Grant Hill.
Is there any universe in which we get a decent, younger backup to PP? Maybe from a team that wants to dump salary by taking Scal and TA? Dude’s 37…
in the last 2 years
he was one of the best players in phoenix. he played very good D, was an efficient scorer and a great passer, plus he didn’t get injured last season which is unbelievable for him. Seeing as how PHX and Boston are my 2 favourite teams, I like it any way it will happen
Libertarianism is just Anarchy for rich people
Grant Hill still in the league?
Seriously…Hill is too old, fragile, and “soft”.
He`s been a non-factor since 1999.
Sheed and the refs
Checking in from Detroit with a few thoughts on what to expect from Sheed…
Everyone knows what Sheed “has brought” to the table as far as his skills…very good defender, smart defender, good outside shooter, reluctant to post up, content on hoisting 3’s. However, its the “ref” thing that I want to prepare Celtic fans for…
1. Rasheed will get some bogus fouls called on him because he has a very contentious relationship with the refs.
2. The C’s will get more unfavorable whistles cause of Sheed’s relationship with refs…can’t wait to heard Heinsohn go bonkers about this.
3. He WILL negatively impact his teammates in regards to whining to the refs….really affecting Ben Wallace and Rip Hamilton in this area in Detroit. In fact, Rip has been a leader in Techs the last few years due to the Sheed impact.
Everyone knows that Sheed is an underachiever based on his unique skill set, but last season I couldn’t tell if he was just underachieving or if his skills were significantly diminishing. It’ll be very interesting to find out.
The only locker room that Rasheed Wallace terrorizes is
The referees locker room.
And maybe the area in the opponent’s locker room where the backup bigs dress.
Yeah. I can see it.
I used to love the guy, but then we played him in the playoffs and, as expected, I hated him. That’s pretty much it. He’s like the bad guy wrestler who you hate until he becomes a good guy wrestler. Now, I am a fan again.
if odom signs with the lakers
who has the better team celtics or lakers?
i give slight edge to lakers cause of age.
if d-fish wasnt on the lakers kobe at 31 would be the teams oldest player.
i also think farmar starts next year, but d-fish will always be in the game at crunch time.
boston just got better but the east is tougher in 09-10 than it was in 07-08.
by dodgers2009 on Jul 6, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
eh...
cleveland hasn’t gotten better
orlando vince/hedo.. a wash… it’ll be based on jameer and dwight’s improvements
the pick up of grant hill puts boston to number one in the east for sure
LA vs BOS!!!!!
Lakers just acquired a cancer...
Artest will blow LA`s fragile unity to pieces…Ariza`s defense will be missed.
I'm gonna say to you what jyreceltis said to SimpleTruth
You’re nuts if you don’t think Artest will improve LA.
by Tai on Jul 6, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Rahseed, Grant Hill, & Big Baby
Why not keep all three? personally I’d rather keep Bib Baby. Grant Hill’s one or two more years left in him. Big Baby is a guy we can keep around for 5-8 years after the big three retire. He could be part of the Green after B3. I think we should match whatever offer and let’s spend a little bit and get Hill too. If we do that we’ll have the best team in the league and winning two championships will cover any cost that we incur from going into the luxury.
you can keep him around 5-8 years
But we wont because he’s a second round pick – let’s call it late first round talent, with issues (conditioning, lack of height, aversion to boards.) That means you can get a comparable replacement without committing long term, either through FA scrap heap or the draft. If some team will sign baby for four years, its not worth the commitment. Only the absolute elite players in their youth or prime are worth long term commitments given the current salary cap / luxury tax rules.
very well
We will boost up over the hills! (crossed thumbs down)-
Yeah Ainge, I believe in it! ;-) OLD-School Season ^_° Can’t wait
to see them playing together!! :-)
I asked god and he said: L.A. will lose again next year!! ^_°
Wow
the rasheed pickup indeed neutralizes the “need” for powe and davis… a capable 30 minute man with 2 other guys capable of putting up 30 minutes? no need indeed
in this league… 3 quality bigs is all you need… ie.. lamar, pau and bynum
now sheed, kev, and perk?
grant hill pick up as well? well dog diggity I sure hope boston stays healthy to take on the lakers in 2010
Yes, we all should pray for a healthy team!
I asked god and he said: L.A. will lose again next year!! ^_°
you still need a reserve C and PF
Scal is the PF for now, and I guess that makes Swift the C?
Resembling the Yankees
Are the Celtics beginning to collect names like the Yankees (Hill, Wallace) at the cost keeping/developing young talent (Powe, Davis)? We Yankee fans know only too well how that has worked out.
Apples and Oranges
The C’s are bringing in veteran talent to supplement the best starting lineup in the NBA, a line up that features two young homegrown players. They are signing this veteran talent to short money, short year deals.
As far as developing young talent. One- they are in win-now mode and young talent in the NBA isn’t as useful as young talent in baseball and they are not nearly as cost controlled (FA’s in baseball 28-30 yrs old, FA in basketball 24-25).
Two- they are signing this talent and getting rid of two undersized powerforwards. Leon has had three knee surgeries now and is in his mid twenties. Who knows what he comes back looking like and who is to say if there is a roster spot available Danny won’t give him a contract. But why waste a roster spot on a guy who may not be healthy enough to play. As for BBD, he isn’t gone yet and the C’s just have to match an offer. Maybe teams won’t offer much for him knowing this ala side-show bob.
I love this place because it has a ton of great celtics talk but lately the knee jerk reactions have been overwhelming.
The keys to winning...
Baseball : You can`t have enough pitching
Basketball : You can`t have enough talented “bigs”
Bite your tongue!
more like apples and steaks. I hate steaks
What did you say to me paper champion?
-Mr.T
by CaliforniaGreen on Jul 6, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
It's like you were reading
my mind right down to the Lakers winning by default this past season.
Cue up the injuries concerns. That should be the mantra for next year.
Still hoping they match BBD no matter how ’ short his arms ’ are…
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
i'm in agreement here
Only worries we have are injuries, but that is a concern for every team. It is just amplified for a team w/as many 30+ guys as we have. Hopefully with the addition of some strong vets everyone’s minuets can go down and that will mitigate injury.
As for BBD, e would be a great 4th big. He could still get some serious PT behind KG/Perk/Sheed.and he would be a great body to throw in there against some of the bigger bigs (Howard, Shaq) that Sheed may not want to bang with.
Problem is we Celtic’s fans believe that his play in the Orlando series really put him out of our price range. Rumors have him in a number of places including SA. But lets hope when the dust clears and things begin to settle no team is going to want to give him the full MLE and realize anything below that the C’s will match. I hope for our sake he gets the Side Show Bob treatment. One or two more years with the C’s then he can go get his BIG contract.
Hey Jeff, buddy, matey, dude...
… saying you’re in, means that you forfeit the “I told you so”-card.
Just saying ;)
Right, that said, I was a lil doubtful to start with, but never against it. I’m with you on the rest of this post though. He fits – on paper, he does. And I can’t wait to see what the first few games will be like.
Lets get a 20-0 start next season, that’d be cool. And a good goal :P
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
The question isn't if Grant Hill will get hurt--
but whether Doc will play Pierce into the parquet when he does.
I say Doc learned his lesson last year...
Any Hill injury would be followed by a FA signing or improved minutes for Walker/Giddens.
A FA signing would indicate that Danny doesn't think--
Doc learned the lesson there.
Here's hoping no one in the Celtics front office has put the lock down on loot just yet...
I still would like to see Zaza Pachulia and Dahntay Jones in Celtic Green. While the offense we get with Sheed and Hill is nice I think we need younger defensive minded players coming off our bench as well. Here’s hoping no one in the Celtics front office has put the lock down on loot just yet. I’m not sure we win a Title with just Sheed and Hill and summer league fodder.
fantastic article Jeff
Watched Strangelove this weekend, as a matter of fact. You’re writing has steadily improved over the years.
I never once doubted Sheed's Importance
but contrary to many people on this board I have always doubted BBD’s. I find it crazy that people think us getting Sheed is a downgrade from BBD.
Anyway, what other bigs (who can rebound & rotate well) are out there? Obviously McDyess is too expensive now, but if someone can throw some names out I’d love to do some additional research.
I can login to celticsblog just fine, but not the forum? Is that a separate registration? Thanks
by TomHamilton30 on Jul 6, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
yes
it is a separate registration – sorry for the inconvenience
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
pachulia?
does mcdyess command more than the vet minimum?
Comparing Dyess to Za
Last year McDyess scored more points and grabbed more boards per minute played. His totals are higher too, because he played more minutes. Check out: http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&p1=mcdyean01&y1=2009&p2=pachuza01&y2=2009
If you’re looking for a one-year rental, Dyess makes more sense.
This means Robert Swift makes the team
Why? Because they need big man insurance if both Sheed and Perk get tossed with technical fouls.
Yes, Swift will make the team, and I’m preparing myself to read a whole lot of postings about how he’s the second coming of Patrick O’Bryant. (sigh)
you just started it.
(sigh)
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
No love for Fazekas?
I know I’m putting his name in every post I’ve made the last couple days, but come on, he had a great college career and surely he can do everything Swift does, probably more. Swift also had surgery at least once if I’m not mistaken, while I don’t think Fazekas ever has. Just what about Swift makes him the better option here, besides Danny’s not-so-secret infatuation with him?
All things equal going into summer league, I sure hope he gets enough minutes to have a chance at being signed as at least our 14th or 15th guy. I’d love to have an actual rebounder/scorer of the bench who’s actually over 6’9’’
The real reason Jeff changed his mind ...
is that, being a guy who bleeds green, he’d have a rationalization ready within 30 seconds even if it was Charlie Manson who just got added to the roster.
I really hope we keep Baby, even at the MLE level. The Gingervitis Twins just don’t do it for me, and injuries are INEVITABLE.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Is he available?
Is Charlie Manson available? I thought the Lakers had already signed him to a deal.
by funkstarrdeluxe on Jul 6, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Mandrake
“It’s all about our precious bodily fluids.” “MineFuror, I can walk!!!” “Gentlemen, they’ll be no fighting in here. THIS IS THE WAR ROOM!!!”
by The Real Large James 2 on Jul 6, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions
Mandrake
“remember when I was feeding you, Jack. You’re were saying feed me, and I was feeding you…”
by Benjamin Barak on Jul 6, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Sgt Bat Masterson to group captain lionel Mandrake in hallway: "Do you know what's gonna happen to you if you don't get the president on the phone?"
… you’re gonna have to answer to the Coca-cola company…!"
i’m gettin so amped up watching Sheed highlights on youtube. Ra’s been my favorite player in the NBA for quite a few years. To see him in Green, let alone next to the REAL BIG FOUR (step aside Rondo and respect your elders), oh man I cannot wait!
Him and KG playing together on the post…two of the best passing forwards of all-time…it’s going to be a thing of beauty folks.
God bless and good night!
I'm on board
I think you may have corrected more than once in regards to my sheed hate. I have been wrong a few times before and it probably won’t be my last.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Anybody remember Kareem Rush?
He had a few good highlights, he is a available and will be a minimum player, maybe a wing behind Pierce?
I don’t think Kareem Rush is good enough to play regular minutes.
I like Rush as the fifth wing in a rotation, but Bill Walker and JR Giddens likely have a lock on that role.
by Who on Jul 6, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
"We'll meet again..
Don’t know how. Don’t know when…."
by The Real Large James 2 on Jul 6, 2009 2:15 PM EDT reply actions
Ok first of all....
Jeff, where is that picture from? O_o’
Ok now about Rasheed.
I knew Rasheed would go for Celtic Green (I think I said Clover Green or something before, no one saw that, right? <_<). I’m glad he did, I’m hyped to see him play, and I’m still hyped for anymore possible signings.
Grant Hill? Hmm…well, as long as he doesn’t get injured, I’ll take him too. That seems to be EVERYONE’s fear, period.
Like I said in the topic concerning BBD, we can’t let him go so easily. The Spurs probably won’t give him all of what Tanguay said, and Danny should be willing to take a luxury tax hit if it means another ring or possibly two. I was highly amused by what you said, Jeff, about 3 outta 4 rings for us meaning a possible asterisk for the one the Lakers won, heh heh heh, thanks for that.
And KG, please get on the floor again so I can post on the forums again…I’ve stuck to my word…plz don’t let me down. ;_;
What, No Wordplay on Slim Pickens?
Jeff, you exploited one opportunity but missed another.
sorry, my analogies can sometimes be kiddie pool shallow
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
Not Shallow
Shallow would have been “Strange love: How I learned to love the Sheed.”
by Brickowski on Jul 6, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Jeff, where is that picture from?
I guess the picture got a pretty good reaction, Jeff…. LOL
For those who didn’t see Stanley Kubrick’s: “Dr. Strangelove,” this was Slim Picken’s riding a “nuke” down into Russia, because the evil Doctor, played by Peter Sellers….doing his best Henry Kissinger imitation…. decided to end run the military and start a nuclear war.
"Yes Indeed!"
Oh I see
So Rasheed Wallace would be the nuke. Heh…personally, a bit over the top for me, considering Rasheed nuked refs verbally before he nuked locker rooms. : )


































