Admittedly, this is long overdue. A truly dedicated journalist would have been on these events like flies on you-know-what, but honestly I've had to put a lot more time and energy into work that pays the bills, so basketball writing has unfortunately fallen to the back burner. Nonetheless, I have been paying attention to current events and am, needless to say, quite pleased with the way this offseason is shaping up.
In case you've had your head buried in the sand since the Lakers won the title and the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted a battalion of point guards, the Celtics have in this humble loud-mouth's opinion been among this offseason's biggest winners. Yes, Cleveland got Shaq for pennies on the dollar, and yes, the Spurs plucked Richard Jefferson from Purgatory a.k.a Milwaukee (to say nothing of the Lakers' snaring of Ron Artest), but the Celtics made a huge splash not long ago by inking none other than Rasheed Wallace to a three-year deal at the mid-level exception. The hugeness of this cannot be overstated (though I'll surely try).
Wallace gives the Celtics everything they were lacking last year and then some. He adds length and toughness to a front line that is desperately thin in both of those categories as well as a truly unique skill set and feel for the game that is in many ways unparalleled throughout the Association. He is a player with virtually no holes in his game, one who is battle tested and dedicated to playing the game the right way. His only hurdles have been those of his own making, and amongst a group of kindred spirits the stars seem poised to align for what could prove to be one of the greatest Celtic teams of all time.
To speculate that the addition of a player as combustible as Wallace could elevate these Celtics to the likes of the Birds, Russells, McHales, Cousys and Havliceks without seeing them play together might seem far fetched to casual observers, Sheed's immensely dynamic skill set is often obscured by his emotional outbursts and fiery, blunt personality. Though it would probably be prudent to do so, I am prepared to state without qualifiers that by bringing Rasheed Wallace into the fold they have by far the best chance to win the East as well as the NBA Finals next season. I'm so excited by the possibilities of this that I don't even care if I'm forced to eat a turd sandwich next spring. Sheed is that good.
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(resisting)
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Fine, How good is he?
Glad you asked. Sheed represents the complete package on both ends of the floor, and at a long 6'11" he creates mismatches with both his size and his skill set. On offense, Wallace is multifaceted and deadly in a system that preaches sharing and ball movement and should fit in nicely with players like Kevin Garnett, paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo. He can post up nearly anyone and score with a variety of moves (using either hand, of course) or hit a surgically accurate turnaround jumper that's nearly impossible to contest. He can also extend the defense well beyond the three-point line (once again, either hand), which will allow the Celtics to space the floor for stretches of the game and create open looks off of either Rondo/Pierce dribble penetration or a Garnett post up. Any shot from anywhere on the floor, though as some folks who are wiser than myself pointed out, he doesn't take a lot of long two-pointers, which speaks to his awareness and feel for the court and the game. Add to that the fact that he's an accomplished passer from the perimeter and the post and a player who sets hard, reliable, well-timed screens and you have a nightmare match up for even the most savvy defensive teams.
Not enough for you? He's also a gritty-tough defender who's versatile enough to defend three positions either in the post or on the perimeter. Once again, his length, skill set and feel for the game make Wallace an excellent defender, and it is here that his toughness and competitive fire combined with the Celtics system can possibly bear their greatest fruit. Most importantly, Wallace is committed to the defensive end of the floor and understands that championship basketball is built on a foundation of defense.
By adding Sheed, the Celtics now also have two of a very select group of interior players who have routinely frustrated Dwight Howard, the new Beast of the East (Shaq and a healthy Emeka Okafor are the only others who are on the list). This will likely prove to be huge against Orlando throughout next year and likely into the playoffs. Now Kendrick Perkins can be aggressive on defense and contest shots with some zeal knowing that Wallace is there to pick him up if he needs it (not to mention the fact that Sheed presents a match-up problem for Howard on defense and at the very least will force him away from the basket). Sheed brings the rare ability to bang with the toughest of opponents as well as the quickness and athletic ability to contain even the most skilled post players (and he rebounds the hell out of the ball, too).
Last but not least, Wallace is a champion who values winning more than his ego and is coming into an environment with like-minded peers who are just as dedicated as he is to playing the game the right way. Wallace was the glue that pushed Detroit to glory in 2004 and brought his team millimeters from a repeat the next year. Though his temperament may be a turn-off to some organizations, his swagger fits perfectly with the Celtics and will make a tough team even tougher.
Rasheed Wallace can make every Celtic better, whether he starts or not. Though his personality is distinctly different than that of James Posey, Wallace embodies many of the same vital traits that Posey brought to the championship team. He's a guy you want in your foxhole, and the value of that quality cannot be underestimated. An occasional lapse aside, Wallace is one of the most dedicated students of the game, able to run every play in the book from all five positions and direct traffic with the best of them. He is the perfect do-it-all player who can elevate even the most talented teams to new heights.
You can't see, but I'm actually salivating right now at the endless possibilities the Celtics will have next year. Now the Celtics can go small without actually going small, by playing Wallace, Garnett, Pierce, Allen and Rondo. Four skilled, knock down shooters and a whirling dervish of a point guard to distribute the ball on offense with the length of two seven-footers (I don't buy that 6'11" crap for either Garnett or Wallace). Or they can go big and tough, and use Wallace to bolster an already stout starting front-court of Pierce, Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. With Rasheed Wallace in the locker room, any flaws that precipitated the downfall of the Celtics this season are gone for next season. I fully expect them to be a force to be reckoned with next season. If they can stay healthy and possible retain Big Baby Davis (or add another wing reserve), the Celtics could flirt with seventy wins. I am deadly serious about that.
