I was reading some blogs the other day in ponderous thought, and I read that Rasheed Wallace won’t have much of an effect on the Boston Celtics. The first thing that popped to my mind was, “That’s Felonious”. Sheed averaged 12ppg 7.4rpg and 1.3bpg last year for a Pistons team that didn’t have much effort or heart compared to previous installments. Don’t expect to see the same kind of Sheed when he’s playing for the championship contending Boston Celtics with their intimidating starters that are sure to make opponents quiver now that they have an even stronger bench. Sheed doesn’t add one specific trait or identity to this team. Don’t make the assumption that The Sheed is a one-dimensional player, and most certainly not a one-dimensional person.
He’ll have tremendous effect on the team and the lineups that Doc Rivers can utilize. He’s versatile in the fact that he can effectively guard the 4 and 5 spot, something even fellow Celtic Kevin Garnett prefers not to do. He’s a nightmare on both sides of the courts and will make sure the Celtic’s brand of defense never lets up, which will certainly make opponent’s blood turn over. Defense wins championships, and Sheed knows a little something about winning championships too, adding some extra experience to a team with already a surplus of playoff battles. Sheed brings lots of questions and negatives with him which are the attitude, effort, and technicals. Looking at the Celtics team and its foundation of players like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and the wizard of all these stars Doc Rivers; I think it is safe to say that won’t be a problem with Sheed.
When Rasheed is trying hard, playing tough defense, and grooving with his shot he is basically a menacing monster. It’s chilling to think of the possibilities Rasheedilicious will bring to this already proven team. The Boston Celtics almost beat the defending Eastern Conference champions without Kevin Garnett and an effective or solid bench. Imagine what will happen with a healthy Kevin, a motivated Sheed, a stronger bench, and improved Perkins and Rondo. Not to mention, a Paul Pierce without bone spurs, and a Ray Allen who is in the best shape of his life. There doesn’t seem to be a good reason to bet against the Celtics barring any injury, and even with injuries they still are deadly because of Sheed. On paper, and in basketball talk, the Celtics are daunting and are looking to take the Championship back from the fakers.
Sheed isn’t that simple of a man though to only talk about his basketball skills. He’s talented, and certainly an all-star caliber player who will almost mimic the influence to the bench that KG had to the whole Celtics’ organization in his first year. Aside from that, he’s a complex individual with an interesting personality. He’s not crazy like Marbury doing live feeds, but he’s a very outspoken and entertaining person who will certainly liven up a locker room already filled with great influences. You could spend countless nights laughing at Sheed interviews on youtube, seriously go do it. Anyway, KG and Sheed already have a great friendship that allowed them to always show love and respect before a heated playoff battle. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have played countless times against Sheed and will know what kind of player and person he is. Sheed won’t have trouble fitting into this locker room, and all the dynamic personalities. You have a lunatic in KG who would die with his effort, the classy role model in Ray Allen, the warrior and leader by example in Paul Pierce, the forbidding Perkins with the endearing smiling that shows once a month, and the mysterious Rondo who keeps to himself mostly. On the bench, you have the loony Big Baby, the hyper active House, the redhead comedian in Scal, and the great player coach and motivator in Doc Rivers. Not only will the Celtics have one of the most dynamic teams in the league, they will also have one of the liveliest locker room filled with vigorous energy to fulfill the goal you undertake when you put on that Celtics’ jersey. Sheed, my fellow Celtic fans, is ready to put on that jersey and shut up all the fe-lo-ni-ous predictions and misconceptions.
