We all know that Sheed is going to be Sheed and we knew what we were getting into when we signed him. Still, I think there's a growing sentiment in the locker room that he needs to be coached up a bit and reminded that it would be best for the team if he eased up a bit on the techs and shot a little more often from the painted area.
"That got to me," said Kendrick Perkins [stats], who has five T's on the season and is often at odds with the officials. "I think that helped me. When that happened to Rasheed, I saw how it affected our team. It really cost us a game, because if we'd have had Rasheed we would have won."
Doc is starting to sound downright Phil Jackson-ish lately:
"He who angers you owns you," proclaimed coach Doc Rivers after yesterday's practice. "I'm trying that. If you don't get angry, you can keep functioning. He who angers you owns you. I actually texted that to a couple of guys last night. I'm just hoping that becomes our team's mantra right now. Let's breathe. Zen II."
"I was joking by saying it, and I got a funny reaction from it. But there is some truth to it, as well."
But I thought Paul's quotes were the best:
"Rasheed's going to be Rasheed,'' captain Paul Pierce said. "But the one thing is, we don't want it to get to the point where he's suspended games, so I'm sure a couple of us are going to talk to him and let him know he's almost at that limit, and we aren't even halfway through the season.''
"I think he's has what - nine, 10?'' Pierce said. "And 16 you get suspended. So we'll tell him to slow it down a little bit until the end of the season.''
Pierce has been able to keep conflicts with officials in perspective.
"At this point in my career, you've got to understand it's part of the game,'' Pierce said. "Referees aren't perfect. They're going to have good days, bad days, just like us as players. The thing is to just play mentally through it and not let it frustrate us. I think it is easier said than done. It takes a strong mind. I've been one that's . . . never really got the benefit of a lot of calls, so I'm used to it. I'm numb to it.''
Thank you Paul. I think it will fall on mostly deaf ears in Sheed's case, but perhaps Perkins can pick up some lessons here.