Celtics Introduce Rasheed Wallace

As if seeing him in green and white wasn't jarring enough, Rasheed Wallace showed up to his introductory press conference Thursday rocking cornrows. Considering how many players have given up the look in the last 12 months -- Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Ben Wallace stand out -- his new haircut already feels retro.

Of course, old school is just his style, from his trademark Air Force 1's, ratty workout clothes and dirty 13-year-old Ford Bronco that he still drives to games. And as he explained on Thursday, it was Boston's old school dedication to defense that convinced him to sign.

"One of the things that the guys up here do is play defense," he told reporters on Thursday. "They've been in the what, top three or four in defensive categories -- one and two -- in the last few years, so that's saying a lot about them and their whole defense right there. That's saying a lot about them and their whole defensive scheme. The bottom line is just to win. So, that pretty much swayed me right there."

Joining Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge to greet Wallace at Thursday's press conference was Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen -- a gesture that didn't go unnoticed.

"As soon as I came around the corner into that little conference room, seeing these three guys there, that I wasn't expecting," Wallace said. "... To see these three guys there, that showed a lot, that showed me that they really want me to be a part of this team. Opening their arms to me and my family to be a part of the Boston Celtics family."

Of course, this wasn't the first time the Celtics have opened their arms to Wallace, who drew the ire of some of his former teammates in Detroit during the 2008 Eastern Conference finals for his pre-game hugs and jokes with Garnett, especially given his struggles to make a positive contribution (or even acting like he cared) for his own team.

It'll be extremely interesting to see how Wallace adjusts to life in Boston, and in particular sharing a locker room with Garnett, whose intensity has no off switch. It was clear the last couple of years that Wallace checked out mentally during the regular season, and due to age, injury or attitude, he was unable to flip the switch and step up his game in the playoffs. Part of the reason the Celtics have had so much success the last couple of years is because the veteran core leads by example, so Wallace likely won't be afforded the opportunity to coast without creating friction.

Latest NBA Images

Rashiyah Wallace, right, sits on the lap of her father, Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace, who was signed as a free agent, during a news conference at the NBA basketball team's training facility in Waltham, Mass., Thursday July 9, 2009. Wallace, a 14-year NBA veteran, averaged 12.0 points and 7.4 rebounds with the Detroit Pistons last season. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

WALTHAM - JULY 9: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics poses with his new jersey and family during a press conference on July 9, 2009 at the Boston Celtics Practice Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rasheed Wallace

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WALTHAM - JULY 9: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics holds his new celtics jersey during a press conference on July 9, 2009 at the Boston Celtics Practice Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rasheed Wallace

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WALTHAM - JULY 9: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics poses for portraits on July 9, 2009 at the Boston Celtics Practice Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rasheed Wallace

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WALTHAM - JULY 9: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media after a press conference on July 9, 2009 at the Boston Celtics Practice Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rasheed Wallace

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WALTHAM - JULY 9: Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics holds his jersey over his face during a press conference on July 9, 2009 at the Boston Celtics Practice Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rasheed Wallace

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WALTHAM - JULY 9: Kevin Garnett #5, Paul Pierce #34, Ray Allen #20 and Rasheed Wallace #30 of the Boston Celtics talk to the media during a press conference on July 9, 2009 at the Boston Celtics Practice Facility in Waltham, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kevin Garnett;Paul Pierce;Ray Allen;Rasheed Wallace

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-10-2009 @ 2:00AM

hilyb said...

Lakers need to sign Odom and Iverson.....

7-10-2009 @ 2:09AM

Bryan said...

Lakers need to sign Odom

7-10-2009 @ 9:53AM

Josh said...

Iverson would never sign with LA since he wouldn't be able to start. He'd rather retire than come off the bench.

7-10-2009 @ 2:14AM

curson4life said...

So the celts finally signed sheed? They got that much older. Their runs is offically coming to an end. After this season they will be back to the pre-2008 celts.

Lakers already an offens built around a penetrating guard who can get his own shot. When Kobe comes out..Sasha has been coming in or they try to get around the issue. Iverson wants to win a ring and said money is not an issue. He can free up so much space, might be a great fit and re- invigorate his career. He can be a ballhog but not on the Lakers..I'm not a big fan of his but why not???

7-10-2009 @ 7:11AM

imshortyk said...

Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest AND Allen Iverson? Wouldn't work, hahaha. I can't really seeing the first two working, but we'll see.

No, Allen needs a team that will commit the entire offense to him. That's just his style. He creates everything. He'll dish it out when he needs to, of course, but more than likely he'll be gunning for 40 points a night. Memphis is the perfect fit for him, I think.

7-10-2009 @ 2:53PM

Iverson wants a championship and he is beginning to realize at this point in his career he won't lead a team to one as the main focus..he doesen't even want a huge chunk of cash..he is primed to accept reality, I believe the right team has to set him straight and it is the LAKERS,,,just a thought..

7-10-2009 @ 7:02PM

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