Rasheed Wallace was never one to shy away from making bold statements. When he was a Detroit Piston there were a few playoff games where Rasheed Guaran-Sheed a victory. Usually the Guaran-shee came true, but not always.

Now before you get all huffy about Rasheed keep in mind that players like Rasheed help the attitude of your team. You need a player that is so fearless, so tough, so outspoken, with a dash of bad boy to them to put down the other team and trivialize their chances. This takes away the fear in your teammate’s eyes and replaces it with an attitude of “Hey, if Rasheed says they are punks then they must be punks!”

Rasheed will need to throttle LeBron for the Celtics to be the best!

This time Rasheed must have been hanging around Jon Kitna of the Lions will win 12 games fame. This time Rasheed has predicted that the Celtics will be the all time greatest team with the all time greatest record.

The depth of Celtic belief in themselves started to be revealed in that Media Day interview with Celtic owner Wyc Grousbeck. He revealed one interesting thing about that private meeting with Rasheed. Wyc said that Kevin Garnett told Rasheed that if he came to the Celtics they could ‘be one of the greatest teams ever.’ That is correct. One of the greatest teams…ever.

A throw away line? Maybe. Until Doc goes on NBATV and says that he wants this Celtic team ‘to be in the conversation’ as one of the…. greatest defensive teams in NBA history. No wait. Make that in sports history. And he said he was serious.

So a season’s quest to reclaim a lost title just became more than that. It is a quest for a special place in sports history. Not just the basketball and not just the NBA. Doc Rivers said that they want to be considered as the 1985 Chicago Bears are for football, as the greatest defensive team (in Doc’s opinion)…ever. Or are at least in that conversation.

For the record, the Chicago Bears that year set a few Super Bowl records. Wiki….

“The Bears set Super Bowl records for sacks (7) and fewest rushing yards allowed (7). The Bears’ 36-point margin over the Patriots was a Super Bowl record until Super Bowl XXIV (45). The Patriots were held to negative yardage (-19) throughout the entire first half, and just 123 total yards in the entire game, the second lowest total in Super Bowl history.”
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Now there are two things wrong with all this.
1. Are you kidding me? That is Michael Freaking Jordan you are talking about.
2. Rasheed often opens his mouth and words come out that don’t mean anything. So many things would have to go right for them to be better than Michael’s team that it ain’t even funny.

But then Rasheed did Guaran-sheed it, didn’t he?

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Just how many old guys can the Celtics stock up on? Let’s see they have Grandpa Kevin Garnett, age 33 with 14 years in the league. Then there is Grandpa Paul Pierce, age 32 with 11 years in the league. Then there is Grandpa Ray Allen, whom they shopped around this winter, but nobody wanted a 3 point shooter that used a walker, soon to be age 34 with 13 years in the league. (Stats from NBA.com)

Now they reach for the geritol and sign Rasheed ‘Technical waiting to happen’ Wallace, age 35 in September with 14 years in the league.

Sure the Celtics won a title two years ago, because for some unknown reason nobody got injured. Last year was more reality than fantasy as Kevin Garnett was injured.

Unfortunately it is a fact of life for Hoop Stars in the NBA that age limits your jumping ability, your quickness, your hops (ability to jump fast), and leaves you more injury prone. Good Luck Boston on picking up an aging brooding Rasheed Wallace.

How will Rasheed Wallace get along in Boston?

Rasheed will always be remembered affectionately in Detroit for being a great teammate and delivering the 2004 title. Thank You, Rasheed.

And with Rasheed Wallace severing ties with the Pistons on Sunday by giving an oral commitment to sign with Eastern Conference rival Boston, the soul has left the building as well.
Multiple media outlets reported that Wallace, 35, agreed to the mid-level exception for $5.8 million per season, and it’s believed to be for two seasons.
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Look out Lakers.
Look out Celtics.
Look out Cavaliers.
Can we say Look out Nuggets? We are saying it. Look out Nuggets.
The Spurs are coming back with a vengeance.

First they picked up Richard Jefferson. They gave up Bruce Bowen, among others, but may get him back.
Jefferson will give them more scoring from the forward position.

Tim Duncan will be back with new friends

Now there are rumors of talks with Rasheed Wallace to increase the front line size and Rasheed still has plenty of game left.

The draft may present them with the possibility of getting Taj Gibson, the super junior big man from USC. Even with USC’s tall guards, the offense and defense still ran through Taj Gibson.

This could give the Spurs another NBA title.

If Wallace were to sign with the Spurs, San Antonio would have one of the best starting fives in the NBA with Duncan, Jefferson, Ginobili and Parker, catapulting the team into the upper-echelon of the league.
Should Wallace sign elsewhere or decide to walk away from the game altogether there are a few available options on the free agent market that could benefit the Spurs on the cheap… at least, compared to the money Wallace is expecting.

Former Denver Nugget Chris Andersen averaged over six rebounds and 2.4 blocks (second in the NBA to Dwight Howard) despite playing just 20 minutes per game could be available for a relative bargain and 13-year veteran Antonio McDyess, who is chasing an NBA title, is a possibility as well.

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Rasheed Wallace joined Ben Wallace on the Pistons to shut down opposing teams, deny everything in the paint and deliver the World Championship in the NBA to the Detroit Pistons. Sure he got a lot of technicals. Rasheed wears his emotions right out on his …wait, they don’t have sleeves.

If you watch the Pistons, you would see that many of Rasheed’s techs were for standing up for a teammate. His teammates love him.

Alas, time has passed Rasheed by. He no longer can consistently post up and hit the turn around J. He no longer even wants to. Without big Ben Wallace at his side, you do not even see his great defense like the times he shut down Jermaine O’Neal to put away the Pacers two years in a row.

Rasheed Wallace with one of his friends

Now he may be gone.

SLAM contributor J. Gamble [making his debut with us next issue] hears from a close personal friend of Rasheed Wallace’s that unless Sheed gets $8 million to play next year, he’s going to retire.
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This article was also linked to the finest pub on the net, Hoopsworld.

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Allen Iverson doing what he does best

So with Rip Hamilton coming back, who will it be? Allen Iverson or Rip Hamilton in the starting lineup?

Will it be Hamilton, guard Allen Iverson or power forward Amir Johnson?

After practice, Curry said a decision hasn’t been made but his comments seemed to indicate where he was leaning.

“We’ve seen just from the data in our games that we know defensively … it’s no secret when we got two bigs and (Tayshaun Prince) at the three-spot we’re our best defensively and at the end of the day that’s normally what’s going to drive most of our decisions,” Curry said.

If he keeps that line of thinking that would mean either Hamilton or Iverson would come off the bench.

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Allen Iverson has been a surprise to many, as he has played well and the Pistons have been able to win with him in games.

One can’t help but notice that when the younger Pistons, Amir, Maxiell, Stuckey, and Afflalo are in the game the Pistons are much faster and play well with Iverson. When the older Pistons, Prince, Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace are on the court, it is a much more half court game and the pace is noticeably slower. Iverson does not fit quite as well with that group.

The real question is not who should be starting, but how do you mesh both players into the lineup. The Pistons need the relentless scoring of AI and his up tempo game, but come playoff time the game goes more half court and the curl plays for mid range jumpers by Hamilton become very important to winning.

Coach Curry has to find a way to get both players involved.

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The trade rumors are heating up and Mark Cuban would love to have Rasheed Wallace.

The Pistons continue to fade with Allen Iverson, but Joe Dumars isn’t expected to try to find a new home for his star guard.

Rasheed Wallace could be another story. According to one Eastern Conference executive, the Pistons will take calls on Wallace. One team mentioned as a potential destination is Dallas.

“That’s a ‘Mark Cuban move,’ ” said an Eastern Conference executive. “Cuban would take Rasheed, no question. It would be bold, but he knows he’s got to do something to spark his team.”

Cuban tried that last season when he acquired Jason Kidd, but ended up making a mistake by giving the Nets Devin Harris.

The Mavs don’t appear to have enough to get Wallace. And the Pistons would like to use Wallace’s money – along with Iverson’s – to create enough cap space to make a run at LeBron James and/or Chris Bosh in two summers.

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Let us put this one in the farfetched column, but it is no doubt that Joe Dumars would move Wallace for the right offer.

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Allen Iverson getting some love from Coach Michael Curry

So it seems funny that so many fans are suddenly all over Joe Dumars case about the Allen Iverson trade. It is actually pretty rare in sports for both teams to get quality star players in any trade.

In this case Joe D gets a trading A+.

How can this be, you ask? Haven’t they lost a ton of games since AI rode into town, you ask?

Well, it can be and yes they have lost more than they usually seem to lose.

But consider the benefits of this trade.

The transition Dumars so boldly made in dumping Billups and his $36.3 million stretching out through 2010-11 was as shrewd and forward-thinking as it gets in this what-have-you-done-for-me-yesterday league. Clearing cap space by acquiring a huge expiring contract — in Iverson’s case, $21.9 million — is a tried-and-true rebuilding tactic. When the expiring contract is attached to Theo Ratliff, Joe Smith or some other fading veteran, the case can easily be made to fans reaching deep into their pockets that it’s the right move for the future.

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Now did you really think Detroit was going to win it all this year with an aging Billups? Haven’t you noticed how he failed to produce big in the last two playoffs? No knock on Chauncey, but his better days have come and gone. Denver gets a nice boost from Chauncey, because he settles them down and calmly spreads the ball around. That was not going to help the aging Piston starters.

By the way, have you seen AI play with the Piston backups? Amir, Maxiell, Afflalo, and new starter Stuckey, can fly up the floor and blend in better with the attacking Iverson.

Hey, if the experiment fails, AI and Rasheed Wallace will be sent packing and two new young stars will be in their place.

Trading A+.

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Rodney Stuckey can fly past you, but is he ready to pilot the Pistons to victory?

Chauncey Billups was traded for Allen Iverson. Chauncey was on the decline. He no longer dominated in the playoffs and often left the team stagnant. Don’t get me wrong, he was a Piston warrior, but they were not going to win it all with Billups.

AI will share time with Stuckey and bring more speed and penetration to the offense. This will allow more players to play, like Afflalo, Amir, and Maxiell with an up tempo style.

Is AI the answer? Probably not, but change was needed and Chauncey was from Denver. Joe D cut a deal that seems to benefit both teams.

he’s the guy who has averaged more than 40 minutes a game during his NBA career.

And he says he’s ready if the Pistons want him to revert to his old playing style.

“Yeah, that’s just the competitive nature that I have,” said Iverson, 33. “That’s just inside me. I want to be the guy with the ball. I want to be the guy making the decision. But that’s just not the case anymore, and I have to adjust.

“I don’t have a problem with it. I think the bigger picture is winning a championship.”

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Philly is involved in that transition from making the playoffs to being consistently good and challenging to go farther in the playoffs.

EB is not the answer for the 76er’s but he is an important piece to the puzzle.

Philadelphia is still searching for that leader on the court and depending on leadership from the coach. Someone has to rise up and lead with their play. That was the importance of Billups to the Pistons. The 76ers need to find their Billups.

Detroit now belongs to Tayshaun and Stuckey. This will be an experiment due to the fact that neither player has an outgoing personality, a personality to get the team to follow them. This could be where the relentless play of Allen Iverson will fill that void until those players can take over.
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Found this by Jamie Samuelsen who blogs for the Free Press in Detroit.

Sheed had two points through the first two and half quarters. He picked up a technical, and then realized that he was the best player in the building. He dominated offensively and shut down Tim Duncan.

I’ve been writing this blog for about a year and I’ve probably spent more time on my inner angst about Wallace than any other topic. I love him and I hate him. The Pistons have to dump him, yet somehow can’t win without him. He’s the best player on the team by far, and the most detrimental at the same time. Yep, that’s our Sheed.

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Yeah, in Detroit it is all about Rasheed. When he arrived in Detroit, Wallace matched up with the other Wallace, Big Ben, and the two of them started shutting down teams left and right and eventually took home an NBA title.

That was all well and good, but Rasheed has never wanted to be the star and is often reluctant to take over a game. When he is in the mood, he dominates.

Detroit will probably release him at the end of the year for the value of his contract and use it to pursue a younger free agent.

So why do you drop the enigmatic Rasheed? Well, if you have noticed, as the years have crept up on Rasheed, his game is moving further from the basket. Larry Brown was the last coach to get Rasheed to post up on a regular basis and that is a shame, because Rasheed is unstoppable down low.

So instead of complaining about Sheed maybe you should marvel at all the things Rasheed Wallace does well, because the Sheed replacement may not bring what Sheed takes with him.

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Allen Iverson is a Piston

Years ago the Pistons tried to trade for Allen Iverson when he played for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Now finally they got it done trading Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson.

Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien also spoke with the AP about the trade: “Two teams had one common problem, or challenge. I think the Pistons looked at (Rodney) Stuckey and saw him as the point guard of tomorrow, and you have an All-Star in Chauncey who was in his way. We’re just thrilled with the way J.R. (Smith) is progressing, and he had a Hall of Famer in front of him. You understand the motivation of both teams.”

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That is the obvious stuff, but why did these teams make this trade?

Some say that the Joe Dumars experiment of having no superstars ultimately failed.

What the Pistons were attempting was nothing less than a paradigm shift in the NBA, like taking a NASCAR track in a Prius.

Joe Dumars built his roster by seeing value where others saw risk. The core players consisted of a point guard who had already been with four other teams (Chauncey Billups), a guy seen as unfit to play alongside Michael Jordan in Washington (Richard Hamilton), a very limited offensive player on his third team (Ben Wallace), a late first-round draft pick (Tayshaun Prince) and a volatile, technical-happy head case (Rasheed Wallace).

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Nonsense. All those conference finals were just illusion? The NBA Title was just make believe? Come on. The experiment worked and worked beyond all of our expectations.

No, it seems more likely that both teams are seeking to retool. There was no room for both a Carmelo Anthony and an Allen Iverson on the same court at the same time. That is way too much offense and way too little defense to win any NBA Titles.

For the Pistons, they get to pick up some instant offense on a team that often went stagnant the last couple of years and if it does not work out the Pistons can just let Iverson go, because he is in the last year of his contract. Remember Rasheed Wallace is also in the last year of his contract.

For the Allen Iverson skeptics out there, it all goes back to a theory of mine. When players get up in sports years the desire to win exceeds the desire to pile up stats. Allen is finally on a team that is favored to win.
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