Celtics No Better With Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace is one of the last major free agent names to make a commitment, and if the reports turn out to be true (thanks to Hedo Turkoglu, you can never be too sure), he'll be suiting up to start the 2009 season as a member of the Celtics.

Our own Matt Steinmetz thinks that makes Boston the favorite to take home the title next year. But to me, that seems -- to put it as politely as possible -- a bit overly-optimistic.

Not only do the Celtics have a long way to go with their roster just to catch up to teams like the Cavaliers and the Lakers, but I would argue that replacing Kendrick Perkins in the starting lineup with Wallace actually makes Boston worse, not better. And it definitely doesn't put them any closer to winning a championship.

We know what Sheed brings to the table; his output has been fairly consistent over the last three seasons. If Wallace plays in the neighborhood of 32 minutes per night, he's going to give you around 12 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 42 percent from the field, and a little over 35 percent from three-point land.

As the Celtics' starting center last season, Perkins averaged just under 30 minutes per game, and averaged 8.5 points and 8.1 rebounds. He also shot almost 58 percent from the field. Perkins also took 242 fewer shots than Wallace did last season.

You see what I'm getting at?

Sheed has always been a guy who likes to get his shots. And if the flow of the game isn't going his way, no problem: he'll just pull up for an ill-advised three-pointer while trailing on the break, or in the half-court set with 21 seconds left on the shot clock. On a Celtics team with plenty of guys who can score, they don't need to add a player who isn't that great of a one-on-one defender (whether due to age or lack of interest, we'll certainly find out soon enough) and who thinks he should be a focal point of the offense.

As far as the other top teams' acquisitions, there are far fewer questions with them than there are with Wallace to the Celtics.

Ron Artest is a wild card to be sure, but despite what many pundits around the league have been saying, he is a DEFINITE upgrade over Trevor Ariza for the Lakers -- at least in the short term.

Sure, it would have been nice to lock up the 24-year old Ariza to a five-year deal, ensuring the Lakers a young player on the rise to balance some of the age on their roster. But let's be honest: the Lakers are only going to be title contenders as long as Kobe Bryant is around, and he's 30.

Yes, Artest is older, and he isn't as athletic as Ariza. But he's tougher, a better scorer, and able to defend a wider variety of players than Ariza can. And if defenses leave Artest the way they did Ariza, I'm sure he'll knock down the same wide open looks from three-point land, and at a similarly ridiculous percentage, too.

As far as Artest's combustibility factor, do you really think it's less than that of Rasheed Wallace? Please. Artest's most memorable out-of-control moments last year (one in the regular season and one during the playoffs) both came specifically against Bryant and the Lakers.

Wallace led the league in technical fouls with 19. Artest had four, which means he didn't even finish in the top 50.

(By the way, Kendrick Perkins was sixth with 12 technical fouls, and Kevin Garnett had seven in just 57 games. Adding Wallace to the mix? Have fun with that, Celtics fans.)

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Orlando Magic basketball player Vince Carter prepares to drive a pace car prior to the start of the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Saturday, July 4, 2009.(AP Photo/Terry Renna)

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 04: Vince Carter, NBA star, drives the official pace car prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 51st Annual Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 4, 2009 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Vince Carter

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Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), looks at Indian children play basketball during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated 'NBA Jam', a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), balances basketballs during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated 'NBA Jam', a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), helps an Indian boy to put a basketball into the hoop during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated 'NBA Jam', a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL SOCIETY)

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Baron Davis, a basketball player for Los Angeles Clippers team of the National Basketball Association (NBA), helps an Indian boy to put a basketball into the hoop during a basketball awareness event in Mumbai July 3, 2009. Davis inaugurated "NBA Jam", a seven-week promotional event in Indian cities, organised by NBA and the Basketball Federation of India. REUTERS/Arko Datta (INDIA SPORT BASKETBALL)

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Newest member of the Cleveland Cavaliers Shaquille O'Neal holds up his new jersey, accompanied by two young fans, during a press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

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Cleveland Cavaliers' General Manager Danny Ferry, left, and owner Dan Gilbert, center, present new Cavaliers member Shaquille O'Neal with a pair of winter boots during an introductory press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

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Cleveland Cavaliers' General Manager Danny Ferry, left, laughs as new Cavaliers member Shaquille O'Neal holds a photo of the two in a game during an introductory press conference at the Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal/MCT)

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Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal arrives at his introductory news conference at the Cavaliers practice facility in Independence, Ohio, Thursday, July 2, 2009. O'Neal was acquired by the Cavs from the Phoenix Suns in a June 25 trade. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

The Lakers improved with Artest, what about the Cavaliers with Shaquille O'Neal?

That was a huge upgrade for Cleveland. Why? What were the team's two biggest flaws in their loss to the Orlando Magic? Lack of a legitimate post player (Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao? LOL), and horrific three-point shooting.

Shaq solves both of these problems immediately. With his post presence, teams will be forced to relax a bit on Mo Williams and Delonte West, so they'll have more of the types of looks they had during the regular season when the team won 66 games, instead of being locked down by defenders daring Sideshow Bob to try to score inside, which is exactly what the Magic did to perfection.

Speaking of the Magic, there's no guarantee that the moves they made will get them back to the Finals. Gone are Marcin Gortat, Rafer Alston, Hedo Turkoglu, Courtney Lee, and Tony Battie -- five rotation guys, if you're scoring at home. Vince Carter is a nice upgrade, sure, but there are serious depth issues now, and that's a lot of minutes that need to be accounted for by new or different players. Orlando may not be done making moves, and they'd better not be if they want to remain title contenders.

Which brings us back to Boston.

There are plenty of questions for the Celtics beyond just the addition of Wallace. Glen Davis, who played a huge role for the team during the playoffs, is a restricted free agent. Cap space is being spent pretty fast around the league, but it's not hard to imagine Davis getting a high-dollar offer that the Celtics would be unwilling (or unable) to match. This is someone who averaged over 18 points and six rebounds per game in the first round of the playoffs against the Bulls, and over 13 and 4 in round two against the Magic. Again, is Wallace going to produce much more than that, either as a starter or off the bench? Doubtful at best.

Perhaps the biggest question of all for Boston, though, is the health of Kevin Garnett. A knee injury that was supposed to keep him out for a fixed amount of time never healed as the team thought it would, and kept him out for the remainder of the season in which it occurred.

We know KG is one of the fiercest competitors in the game today, and will give everything he has once he's out there. But if that injury leaves him anywhere less ability-wise than he was when the Celtics were making their title run in 2008? With the upgrades that the Lakers and Cavaliers have made this offseason, Boston's chances of winning it all this year will be exactly zero.

The ingenious, all-powerful acquisition of Rasheed Wallace, of course, notwithstanding.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-06-2009 @ 9:10AM

Mike said...

I agree, half way with you. Wallace will not make the Celtics some feared team now. Cleveland has went against him for years and knows whatever he has. No fear,,,,at all. Especially with Shaq. But, just watch the Lakers. They are going to wish they never got rid of Ariza. He is just getting his game going. Getting confidence to be a leader on the floor and in the locker room. Long arms and will be a great defender. If he can learn to creat his shot, he will be very tough for a long time. This Artest thing will be a one year trial and they had better win it all again or it will look like the worse move ever for a championship team, destroying chemistry.

7-06-2009 @ 9:22AM

hi beatrix kiddo said...

I don't mean to be rude, but really, you're clearly only a casual NBA fan. because no one in their right mind is under the impression that Rasheed Wallace is replacing Kendrick Perkins in the starting lineup. no one. except you apparently. Ever hear of a bench? This thing that non-starters sit on and then they come into the game to replace the starters? That's where Rasheed will be. Not saying he'll be a savior but that (obvious) fact sorta blows a hole in your main argument that he'll mess with the starters' chemistry.

7-06-2009 @ 12:21PM

GL said...

yeah definitely. sheed is going to be coming off the bench, and now you have a 3 man rotation in KG, perkins, and sheed for the 4 and 5 spots. There are 96 minutes a game to be played by those two positions, and that averages out to about 32 for each one of those guys. that's perfect, and it keep them fresh for the playoffs.

he also helps them spread the floor and rondo can drive and dish like he loves doing. they couldn't do that with perkins, and even with big baby, he couldn't go beyond 17 feet or so.

7-06-2009 @ 12:23PM

Bryan said...

Sheed will be great off the bench just like Iverson was. Wait. what? He wasn't? Sheed is a superstar, he doesn't think he's over the hill yet. Why would he agree to coming off the bench?

If Boston can then that will be great, but if you think he will be gladly accept a role off the bench ala Marbury you're an idiot.

7-06-2009 @ 9:38AM

cahillio said...

I can agree with that...guy is probably one of the biggest cancers in the nba if things aren't going his way...love the "sideshow bob" reference too. I am a cavs fan and having been calling that idiot that for years. I would really like them to upgrade that position and send him back to the bench.

7-06-2009 @ 10:00AM

sppalmi said...

I don't know that much about basketball, but even I know that Wallace's game is on the defensive side of the ball, he's a top 20 blocks guy, and a top 30 steals and boards guy. In his prime he was even better. He also should not take any minutes away from Perkins so leave him out of it. An argument could be made that Big Baby's offense is more valuable than Wallace's Defense.

7-06-2009 @ 10:37AM

msa1431217 said...

C'mon now... Are you really trying to say that Perkins and Powe/Davis is better than Perkins and Wallace? Gimmie a break. I don't know if any1 was watching but Orlando smoked Cleveland... and now you think Shaq is going to turn that team around? I don't think so. Orlando should have been up 3-1 on L.A... I'm sorry people... but L.A is not that good. It was there easiest matchup out of the 3 big teams in the east... and it could have gone either way. I like the Artest deal tho... it gives them a defensive presence. Boston had, by far, the best team in the NBA last year (if K.G. wasn't injured). Don't forget... the Celts almost beat Orlando (who smoked Cleveland btw) w a broken down team. I just think everyone has forgot... and come finales time next year... everyone will be forced to remember. Boston Celtics, your 2010 NBA Finales Champions!!!

7-06-2009 @ 12:28PM

"I'm sorry people... but L.A is not that good."

yeah that's why they won the NBA CHAMPIONSHIP in FIVE GAMES.

Shut the hell up moron, you know nothing of basketball.

Great teams win those close games, remeber the celtics got taken to 7 games their first 2 series. We're they "not that good"? Please take your hating ass somewhere else.

7-06-2009 @ 10:59AM

grover said...

*Celtics Know Better about Rasheed Wallace*

There, fixed that for ya.

Wallace is definitely an upgrade for the Celtics. He is a prime candidate to back up KG & Perkins.

Also, Sheed, KG, and Pierce can form a formidable starting frontcourt against most teams in the league. Very few teams have the personnel to match those three on either side of the floor.

7-06-2009 @ 11:15AM

FLOW said...

It blows me away that Celts fans keep saying they were the best if KG had'nt been injured. That's basketball. Injuries are'nt accidental. The injuries sometimes come from being tired or wearing down. One more thing, players over 30 get hurt, KG is over 30, these things happen. Besides, the Lakers beat the celtics twice with KG (first by 9 then in Boston by 11), and Cleveland twice. They also stopped streaks by Cleveland, Utah and Denver. You don't do that unless you're a damn good team. They played well whenever a big game was needed and cruised when it was'nt. Their agaenda was the Championship so they were'nt interested in crushing opponents during the regular seaso. Leave that to Cleveland. Let me repeat, they beat Boston twice with KG. They have added maybe the most intimidating guy in basketball to their team who happens to score 18 points a game. No disrespect to Boston, but no team wins a championship by being lucky. You pace yourself which the Lakers did, don't worry about winning every game and prepare for the playoffs. That way, you stay injury free, and don't wear yourself out trying to look good during the regular season like Cleveland. No disrespect to Boston fans, but the same respect you got when you were champions is the same respect the Lakers deserve until you beat them, stop making excuses.

7-06-2009 @ 12:50PM

DUTCH said...

I believe that Sheed is just a safety precaution to what happend last year.....KG out for the season. He will be effective off the bench just like how Lamar Odom was in the Lakers run for the title.

7-06-2009 @ 1:11PM

dodgerbloo15 said...

Flow,

Amen.

As for msa1431217, if you want to nitpick about wins, check that Celtics/Lakers series last year and really study how close almost every single game was. How the Lakers blew leads, and how the Cs were just mentally tougher at times to take the close games. Everybody just remembers that game six blowout, but the series was actually a lot closer. By your logic, the 2008 Celtics weren't that good because the Lakers should have won at least one more game. And if the 2008 Cs weren't that good, then how in the world were they the best team in 2009 after losing their Trevor Ariza, James Posey, and keeping the exact same team together? Blows my mind the logic of some people...

7-06-2009 @ 1:41PM

Mr.G said...

I think we should all agree that LA is the team to beat.They are the reigning champs until proven otherwise,and they sure as hell didn't get any worse for this year.As for the East,I think too many people are discounting what Shaq means to the Cavs.Their lack of a legitimate post player is the sole reason they didn't advance further.That is no longer a major problem.They still have their MLE and BAE to further upgrade the roster,which they undoubtedly will use.They could also do a sign and trade involving Varejao and they have a big expiring contract in Ilgauskus for the deadline.Unlike most of the other contenders,they are far from a finished product.Only time will tell what else they are able to add,but getting Shaq for free was a big plus for them so far.

7-06-2009 @ 1:58PM

kingmole said...

bretts view is skewed behind kobes testicles. One report says celtics are significantly better then right after it says they are no better. Can we get some unbiased post please? Can we vote off writers? no more brett polkaoff or whatever his name is

7-06-2009 @ 2:14PM

Mr. G. makes a lot of sense about Shaq to Cleveland. You can't count them out because they're not done. But if they don't sign Varajeo and get larger guards, they're going to have a long season. Also I'm really curious to see if Lebron will defer to Shaq. You know Shq can't/won't change his game. If he does, his stats will drop dramatically and believe me, Lebron pays attention to stats, remember Madison Square Garden. Anyway, I''m wondering why nobody is pursuing Andre Miller? He's still one of the most solid point guards in the NBA, great attitude and will probably take the veterans minimum, probably end up in Portland, should be fun.

7-06-2009 @ 2:31PM

Ronald. What up? said...

To all the doubters: yes, 'Sheed will make a true difference in Boston. Thats a team that only required a minor tune-up & 'Sheed adds more shot blocking and offensive weaponry to the roster. To all the dreamers: no, Shaq isnt going to put the Cavs on top of the league. The man can barely run anymore, and the last time I checked, the Cavs like to run! Look for them to finish behind Boston and Orlando in the standings. Note to Joe Dumars: hire Bill Laimbeer, a defensive minded guru with the hard nosed approach to whip my boys back into fighting shape. Try to secure Tyson Chandler or the big white boy from the Clippers over the summer, screw the 2010 free agency class. We can do this. I'm thinking with the right planning, the Pistons can return to 50-victory status in no time.

7-06-2009 @ 2:59PM

Ronald: Better check again,the Cavs are NOT a running team by any stretch.They are a half court offensive team that makes the extra pass,shoots 3's,rebounds and plays solid Defense.Shaq is a perfect fit for them and Shaq knows it,that's why he went there in the first place.Nobody in their right mind thinks Shaq alone puts them on top of the league,but anybody with an IQ knows he makes them a lot more formidable than they were before he arrived.

7-06-2009 @ 3:50PM

Flow: I agree,the Cavs still have some roster work to do.LeBron is a virtual coach on the floor.He has proven he will alter or tailor his game around what is best for the team, and has no problem defering to his teammates for help.His assists per game help prove that point.James NEEDS more help and he knows it.However,he still has the ability to take over the offense,and will if needed,much like Kobe does for LA. There are no worries in that regard.Signing another G/F and a decent shooting/rebounding PF is still on their to do list.There aren't any star players available,but there are some good role players that would help balance their needs.Re-signing Varejao or a trade is still likely.

7-06-2009 @ 4:15PM

mygameiztght said...

Lakers will repeat no one fears boston or cleveland. Boston is garbarge and cleveland is a desperate team trying to win so they can keep queen james. well come 2010 james will be gone and cleveland will be a basement team again. as for boston they win a championship once in a blue moon and all of a sudden their fans think they are unbeatable.my lakers always compete for the title

7-06-2009 @ 4:43PM

The Lakers are a great team,too bad so many of their fans are incoherent morons.

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