Aging Celtics Grab Grumpy Fossil Rasheed Wallace
NBA July 6th. 2009, 9:00am
Here’s how we sized Boston’s three biggest concerns this offseason: 1) Age, 2) Replacing/retaining FA’s Leon Powe and Big Baby Davis, and 3) The tattered Ainge-Rondo relationship.
Is 1 out of 3 worth getting excited about? The Celtics have been unable to move Ray Allen. Ainge and Rondo need a counselor. To alleviate the potential loss of a 2008 playoff hero (Powe) and a 2009 playoff savior (Davis), Boston put the full court press on soon-to-be 35-year-old Rasheed Wallace. This weekend, they finally landed him. Let’s hear it: Boston’s the team to beat in 2009-2010. Wrong.
Here’s what everyone has conveniently forgotten: Even before KG went down for the season, the Cavs were the favorites in the East. They were better defensively and had the inside track on home court advantage (season series: 1-1; each team winning at home). The Cavs would not have had the matchup issues against Boston that perplexed them in the ECF against Orlando.
To become the favorites in the East, we think Boston will need to retain Powe or Davis. Wallace, as we’ve mentioned, is coming off a terrible season (though some will surely attribute that to the new coach, Iverson, injuries, etc). How is he going to like coming off the bench? And really, would he even play down the stretch in the fourth quarter? Not with the way Kendrick Perkins defends Dwight Howard; Perkins is also probably a better defensive matchup against Shaq. Where will his minutes come from? Will a guy with an ornery history be content with 20 minutes a night?
Even though there’s still a few free agents yet to make decisions, here’s how we see the East:
1. Cavaliers
2. Magic
3. Celtics
4. Bulls
5. Pistons
6. Heat
7. 76ers
8. Raptors
We’d put the Bobcats, Hawks, and Wiz as the next three best in the East.
77 Responses to “Aging Celtics Grab Grumpy Fossil Rasheed Wallace”
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July 6th, 2009 at 9:05 AM
So the Hawks are going to fall off? Not sure I see that happening to the point to where they don’t make the playoffs.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:07 AM
So long, Rasheed. It was a good 5+ seasons. It is best for both sides to part ways at this point. Good luck. Not.
Oh, and …. Pistons > Bulls
July 6th, 2009 at 9:09 AM
how do you size up 5-8? Who misses?
Pistons, 76ers and Raptors all improved (though philly just because Brand’s back).
July 6th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Bobcats will be the 2nd best team named after a mammal in the Eastern conference.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:12 AM
Only thing for Boston that matters is the health of KG.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:12 AM
1. Magic
2. Celtics
3. Cavs
4. Raptors
5. Bulls
6. Sixers
7. Hawks
8. Nets
/Piss-dones are done and fuck the Heat
July 6th, 2009 at 9:12 AM
@gods: Atlanta is going to be really interesting this year. That team has to get better from within, especially since it seems like they are re-signing Bibby. I like they’re team, but they don;t look like they are in the mood to add or change pieces. That said, I don’t know what TBL is doing putting them anywhere below 4.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:13 AM
Sheed was terrible last year, he moved in slow motion, stood around and jacked up 3’s. This differs from Garnett/Allen coming to Bos because Sheed already has a ring, he just wants paid.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Philly was 10-13 with Brand in the lineup, 31-28 without
July 6th, 2009 at 9:20 AM
The Celts fucked Leon Powe over, bigtime. I hope they run out of Ben Gay by the All-Star Break.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Ok, a few things…
1) The Hawks will not miss the playoffs. This is not happening. I don’t see them any worse than the 6th spot.
2) The 76ers are not going to be improved by the return of Elton Brand. They were a FAR WORSE team with him in the lineup last year. I see no reason this will change. And this is coming from a 76ers season ticket holder for chrissakes.
3) The Pistons are the 5th best team in the East???? That is sheer lunacy. I’ll go ahead and wager with anyone that they miss the playoffs.
4) Hedo is going to carry the Raptors to the playoffs??? Really? Did you actually see how that bad that team was last year. Adding Hedo makes them better. But not enough to get to the playoffs. The idea that the Raptors are better than the Hawks is comical to the Nth degree. Obligatory Pacers ref: I actually —for a change— think they are unlikely to make the playoffs next year; but I will wager with anyone that they wind up with a better record than Toronto.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:24 AM
well aware. the team had coach issues, and didnt adjust well to a 20-10 guy slowing things down. should be better this season.
Jay V – Well let’s hear your 8 if you’ve got Philly, Detroit and Toronto out of the mix.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Nets starting lineup:
Dooling/Alston
Harris/C Lee
T Will
Yi/Boone
Brook Lopez
Clown, was this in jesT?
July 6th, 2009 at 9:30 AM
It was all Joe D’s fault!
/Spencer’d and NickP’d
July 6th, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Yeah, the Nets I just threw on the wall as a dark horse. I should’ve gone Bobcats or Pacers. The East sucks anyway after the top 3.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
If the Hawks are healthy they will win 42-48 games which will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. They will be better than the Heat, Raptors and Sixers over the course of the regular season.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:37 AM
And the response was to get an even worse coach. And NO the team did not have coach issues. Every player on the team was against Cheeks’ firing, Brand included. THE issue was with Brand, not the coach.
Ok…and I don’t have Philly out of the mix. They’ll make the playoffs…they just aren’t improved. Definitely Atlanta and most likely Washington (although, depending on potential moves, Charlotte could be in the mix) would be the 2 to replace Det and Toronto.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Jay – side wager. i can be your wingman at the game of my choice if philly has a better record at the AS break next season than last season.
they had coach issues if they were all against Cheeks getting canned!!
July 6th, 2009 at 9:47 AM
If you could point me in the direction of evidence that Leon Powe did anything of note in the playoffs last year besides have a cool dunk while the Celtics were thrashing the Lakers, please, feel free to link it next time.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:49 AM
Orlando behind Cleveland? Should have known. Your two favorite players on one team
Some people think Orlando will “take a step back” this year. not me
1. Orlando
2. Boston
3. Cleveland
4. Atlanta
5. Miami
6. Detroit
7. Toronto(Michael Jordan of Toronto!!!!)overpaid motherfucker
8. Philly
Buck Foston
July 6th, 2009 at 9:50 AM
unrelated: trailer to new megan fox movie
http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailer.php?id=1153&item=0
same team that did Juno
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/11/13/jason-reitman-and-diablo-cody-reteam-for-jennifers-body/
July 6th, 2009 at 9:51 AM
1. Cavaliers
2. Celtics
3. Bulls
4. Magic
5. Hawks
6. Pistons
7. Heat
8. 76ers
Bet. Gonna look similar to last year near the top.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:53 AM
i thought Powe played well in 3 of the 4 series (not vs. Detroit)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4177/gamelog;_ylt=ApnFUF5PZkk_NZeioU3×4yd6PaB4?year=2007
July 6th, 2009 at 9:53 AM
I am on that thinks they will. Vince Carter will not improve the team offensively over Hedo, and losing Courtney Lee will hurt them a lot on defense. As you know, never been a big fan of Jameer. I know he was having his best season when he got hurt, but I just wouldn’t want him running point in the playoffs for my team.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
That suprises nobody.
And the Turk is def overpaid.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:55 AM
So you spend years telling everyone how great Hedo is, everyone (or at least me) finally sees the guy is clutch and can close games, and now he’s a a MerFer? He hit more big shots in the past two months than VC has in his entire career.
July 6th, 2009 at 9:59 AM
1. magic
2. cavs
3. boston
nothing else in the east matters.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:00 AM
I’m a Raptors fan and I have no problem with the Hedo signing. They were going to burn that money on someone and I’d rather have it spent on him than Marion.
I think there is a lot to like with the Raptors projected starting five (Bosh-Bargnani-Hedo-DeRozan-Calderon) but the bench is going to be paper-thin, especially at the SG/SF spots. I can’t see us being much better than a 6 seed. However, that beats the hell out of what they were this year.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Sheed is going to wake-up like he did in 2004, and play big for the Celtics.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Bobcats are going to make the playoffs this year
/don’t care
July 6th, 2009 at 10:02 AM
He hit double-digits once in a game that wasn’t a blowout. If Powe is a hero for Boston, Randy Brown is revered in Chicago.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:03 AM
of course, he’s now not wearing the Magic uni.
I forgot I quit commenting on NBA posts.
66 days until the NFL regular season starts.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Considering the fact that last year TBL picked the Sixers to win the East based on the Elton Brand signing, I’d take his rankings with a grain of salt. For the Magic to surpass the Celtics, they’re going to need to make a decent signing to replace both Turkoglu’s ball-handling and Gortat off the bench.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I didnt have Philly winning the East last year … just going to the ECF. Im a big believer in Brand, even though he’s never really been on a winner
July 6th, 2009 at 10:21 AM
Watch out for the Bucks. Bogut, Redd and some defense…
July 6th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Realistically this is looking to extend Boston’s run with the “big 3″ by another year. Nothing more.
The fact that Ainge considered trading Allen and Rondo away though does make it look like even he doesn’t know when the clock will strike midnight and all his Superstars will finally get old.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:35 AM
of course, he’s now not wearing the Magic uni.
explain to me how Chicago will be better than Orlando MattyRyan
July 6th, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Right. What I should have said is, you had Philly as the #1 seed in the East.
http://thebiglead.com/?p=8793
Boston didn’t have to get any younger this year, which is why the Wallace signing makes sense.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:40 AM
We don’t need a bet for that. Consider it done. I wouldn’t make a bet that that I hoped I lost! I sure as hell hope they have a better record at the AS break than last year.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:49 AM
1. I only trust D-HO on the Magic, and I think he will be a bigger beast next year. Nelson does nothing for me and your only clutch player is gone. How is orlando better/ as good?
2. Bulls are still young and will improve next year. Much better guards than orlando.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Much better guards than orlando
Derrick Rose and who are better than Jameer and Vince? Chicago will be lucky to reach the playoffs next year
July 6th, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Yeah, Rashard didn’t do anything at crunchtime in the playoffs.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Additionally, signing Wallace was big for Boston as it kept him away from Orlando where he would have been a pretty good fit.
July 6th, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Additionally, signing Wallace was big for Boston as it kept him away from Orlando where he would have been a pretty good fit
agree. Orlando is still looking at Brandon Bass(young, promising player)
Yeah, Rashard didn’t do anything at crunchtime in the playoffs
exactly Clown. Matty Ryan must have forgot that
July 6th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
That sounds like sarcasm, but in fact outside of maybe 2 or 3 games it is the absolute truth. Even Dampier thinks Rashard is overpaid.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:02 AM
@coop- you are always talking about the Magic and salaries. How much does Big fucking Z make? How much is 37 year old Shaq making?
July 6th, 2009 at 11:06 AM
they didn’t sign shaq to a deal and big Z isn’t getting paid like shard is. plus the cavs don’t mind spending way above the salary cap.
not excusing them tho because they’ve made their fair share of shitty deals…larry hughes, kevin ollie, donyell marshall, damon jones…
now excuse me while i hurl.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Exactly. I’ll give you a couple games where Lewis impressed the hell out of me- but he can’t always shoot 75% from the floor.
And you seriously think Nelson is a legit playoff point guard. He sucked big time in the playoffs and I don’t buy that being injury- that was mental.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:08 AM
@matty- answer the question above. Rose and who are better than Vince and Jameer?
July 6th, 2009 at 11:08 AM
so he did hit some clutch shots against your overrated Cavs? Just checking.
Thanks straw man, but that’s not what we are talking about.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
you’re really going to criticize the dude for one week’s performance after missing like 3 months?
that wasn’t the same jameer.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:10 AM
not excusing them tho because they’ve made their fair share of shitty deals…larry hughes, kevin ollie, donyell marshall, damon jones…
those were next. Coop just likes to hate
July 6th, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Rose and Gordon > Vince and Jameer
next year, not kidding.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Is Eric being traded to the Bulls?
July 6th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
next year, not kidding
name the bet MattyRyan.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:22 AM
MattyRyan doesn’t even know who is on the Bulls
July 6th, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I would love to see EJ and Rose together on the Bulls like they should have been at Indiana if not for grease ball Calipari buying him for Memphis. Since that’s not happening, what the fuck are you talking about?
July 6th, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Huh?
Derrick Rose and Ben Gordon aren’t on the Bulls anymore?
July 6th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I think if the bulls had magic and jordan as their guards next year they would be better than the magics guards…since we are playing the make up a random backcourt game.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Z, 11 million for 1 year, Shaq 20 mill, for 1 year.
Rashard 80 million over 4 years, VC 51 million over 3 years.
Difference?
July 6th, 2009 at 11:34 AM
John stockton and kobe bryant would be a nice duo
July 6th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I think the difference is called production.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
I don’t see how anyone can have the Magic in the top 4 in the east after they lost 5 (5!) rotation players who all actually contributed in the playoffs while getting 1 aging ex-superstar in return. One has to imagine that any semblance they had of depth is gone completely. Gotta go:
1. Cavaliers
2. Celtics
3. Bulls
4. Pistons
5. Magic
6. Hawks
7. 76ers
8. Heat
July 6th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Baylor would finish 3rd in the East
July 6th, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I dont see how anyone can have Chicago and Detroit in the top 4
July 6th, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Because they are not Magic homers.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I can still see them in the top 4 because the people you mentioned are rafer alston (not as good as jameer nelson who should be back) tony battie (I’m not sure what you consider contributing but he didn’t do it) turk (hate to lose him but he is terribly inconsistent and is just as old as carter, so at worst call it a wash there) courtney lee (sucks to lose him but got ryan anderson back who was just as productive as a rookie and will help howard rebounding the ball with some 3 point touch, also opens up more time for peitrus) and gortat (probably their biggest loss with how howard gets in foul trouble and really can’t defend this although if they get bass he will do the same…play for 10 mins and not get destroyed while howard rests)
July 6th, 2009 at 11:46 AM
@Matty- what happened to your argument Derrick Rose and Gordon > Vince and Jameer? Maybe next time you should check the rosters
July 6th, 2009 at 11:46 AM
And fuck me sideways, I just remembered Gordon walked from CHI. My bad, I’m an idiot.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Actually, I just did and their team website still lists him. But yeah, I fucked up.
/still think Orlando will be < last year, but the bulls are moving down to 6-7 ish.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Unreal that the Celtics found the one player more obnoxious than their trio of House, Garnett, Rivers. Add in Pierces flailing arms and Big Baby shoving down little kids and this could go down as the most hated team of all time.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
How could I forget Kendrick Perkins, who only trails House in level of douchiness. Boston fans probably root for this team to lose.
July 6th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I still don’t understand why the hawks fall to lower than 4…
July 6th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
1. Cavs: best record, best player, Shaq.
2. Magic: Still got Howard and enough talent to spread the floor
3. Celtics: last All-Star roster was the ‘04 Lakers. That didn’t end well.
4. Hawks: lots of young talent that can hopefully put it together.
5. Bulls: same as Hawks, can they find a 6th man like Gordon?
6. Pistons: can the pieces fit?
7. 76ers: should be better than last year.
8. Heat: still is Wade +12 other players.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:16 PM
You’ve never actually watched Vince Carter play have you? By FAR one of the most underrated clutch performers I have ever seen.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:23 PM
In December, maybe.
July 6th, 2009 at 4:28 PM
In December, maybe
Wally- read this when you get a chance. We will talk about Polish Hammers contract later
http://www.thirdquartercollapse.com/2009/6/26/925899/orlando-magic-acquire-vince-carter
Hedo vs Vince Clutch stats 2008-2009