Rasheed Wallace a Piston

[DeToxRox]

Just heard this on the radio..

Pistons trade Lindsey Hunter and Chucky Atkins to the Celtics in return for Mike James.

Pistons send Zeliko Rebraca, Bob Sura and a 1st to Atlanta for Rasheed Wallace.


James and Wallace.. I am ecstatic right now.

BRING ON THE WEST!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just heard this on the radio..

Pistons trade Lindsey Hunter and Chucky Atkins to the Celtics in return for Mike James. Pistons send Zeliko Rebraca, Bob Sura and a 1st to Atlanta for Rasheed Wallace.
If that turns out to be the case, that might be a decent sign of some good GM'ing by Knight in Atlanta, who was insistant only accepting players with expiring contracts (to go along with a #1 pick).

[JeeberD]

How is this possible? I thought that a player couldn't be traded twice in this short of a time. Doesn't a team have to wait like six weeks before they can trade the player again?

[DeToxRox]

I agree about Atlanta, but whats Boston doing?

From what I've seen Mike James is a solid shooter.

Sheed as our #3 for the rest of the year is an amazing upgrade and it gives up the flexibility to resign Memo at seasons end.

Dumars is a magician.

[ice4277]

I have heard that they will try to sign Wallace to the mid-level exception after the year is over; good luck with that. But yes, they free the cap room they needed to re-sign Okur, and the draft pick shouldn't be that big of a deal as it looks like they will probably have two first-rounders anyways.

[Samdari]

Funny how they drafted Sam Bowie II instead of Melo cause they didn't need a small forward. Then they go get one.....

[DeToxRox]

Also funny how they've also said Darko isn't ready this year and they know that, and that Rasheed is basically a loan player for the rest of the year.

Funny how you know what you speak of.

[stevew]

How is this possible? I thought that a player couldn't be traded twice in this short of a time. Doesn't a team have to wait like six weeks before they can trade the player again?

Sheed can be traded, he just cant be packed with other players for 45 days. THe three team makes this possible for all this to happen.

[The Afoci]

Funny how they drafted Sam Bowie II instead of Melo cause they didn't need a small forward. Then they go get one.....

Wow, I didn't know Sam Bowie was an good outside shooter who can handle the ball and pass. I always thought he was a tall pile of crap. Someone should pick him up and try him out again. He was misused as a player last time.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Funny how they drafted Sam Bowie II instead of Melo cause they didn't need a small forward. Then they go get one.....

Also, let's put this analogy to logic:

Darko is to Sam Bowie as Melo is to... Jordan? Hmmmm... Your logic does not work like our Earth logic.

[JeeberD]

Well, Melo certainly has turned the Nuggs around quite nicely. The kid is a winner...

[Ksyrup]

ESPN is reporting that Boston gets the #1 pick.

[DeToxRox]

Darko was picked by the Pistons knowing he wouldn't see much PT this year, its that simple. I guess Dirk Nowitzki is a bust too.

[DeToxRox]

Also: I heard this deal on the radio, and a Boston Sports Writer made mention to James going to the Pistons for Lindsey and Chucky, so we'll see whats going on with that.

[rkmsuf]

ESPN is reporting that Boston gets the #1 pick.

Great #27 is sure to be a stud.

Horrid, horrid, horrid, horrid trade for Boston.

Atkins is on the books for 3.9 this year and 4 million the next two and sucks to boot.

James was on the books for a 600K one year deal...

[DeToxRox]

James is a solid player, and still young which is what I love. I think LB can turn him into a solid NBA PG.

[Subby]

What an absolutely amazing deal for the Pistons. Dumars needs to get rid of Atkins' contract so they can re-sign Okhur. Check. Dumars needs to add a big body up front to help Ben Wallace. Check. All they have to do is move this crap shoot MIL first rounder. Check.

'Sheed is a strictly a rent-a-player and will be in Gotham before the start of next season.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The Pistons better have gotten a point guard out of all of this. If not, Billups and Rip will be playing 48 minutes a night...

[DeToxRox]

Mike James would be that PG. Let's hope this is the case.

[rkmsuf]

James is not much of a point guard. He's more of a shooter/scorer type. That was part of the problem in Boston...he really can't create much at all but can score in bunches...

[Samdari]

Also, let's put this analogy to logic:

Darko is to Sam Bowie as Melo is to... Jordan? Hmmmm... Your logic does not work like our Earth logic.

You need to watch more nuggets games. Melo may not be Jordan, but is awesome. Playing better right now than some supposed all-stars. While the degree is less, in the end it will sound similar - passed up a hall of famer for someone who made no discernible impact on the league.

[DeToxRox]

The Detroit Pistons won the Rasheed Wallace sweepstakes Thursday, ending his one-game Atlanta Hawks career, in a trade deadline swap that also involved the Boston Celtics, a Pistons source told ESPN Insider's Chad Ford.


Detroit received Wallace and Mike James from Boston, while giving up Chucky Atkins, Lindsey Hunter, its No. 1 draft pick and an undisclosed amount of cash.


Atlanta received Chris Mills from Boston, Zeljko Rebraca and Bob Sura from Detroit and the Bucks' No. 1 draft pick that was owed to the Pistons.


Boston received Atkins, Hunter and the Pistons' aforementioned package of a No. 1 pick and cash, while surrendering Mills and James.

[The Afoci]

You need to watch more nuggets games. Melo may not be Jordan, but is awesome. Playing better right now than some supposed all-stars. While the degree is less, in the end it will sound similar - passed up a hall of famer for someone who made no discernible impact on the league.

Yep, KG didn't play for most of the first season. That sure killed his career.

[DeToxRox]

Also, something to remember.

Detroit has Carlos Delfino coming over next year most likely. He was widely considered the steal of the draft and the next coming of Ginobli.

Our future is looking oh so bright in the Motor City.

[DeToxRox]

good man Afoci.

It just is annoying when Dumars and Brown flat out said Darko wouldn't see much PT this year, and yet still people claim to know he's the ultimate bust already.

Its frustrating.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The Detroit News is reporting that ...

AUBURN HILLS -- The Pistons acquired the man they wanted, talented 6-11 forward/center Rasheed Wallace, in deals involving the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics.

First, the team deals guards Chucky Atkins and Lindsey Hunter to Boston for Chris Mills and Mike James.

Mills was then dealt along with Bobby Sura, Zeljko Rebraca and a No. 1 draft choice to Atlanta for Wallace.

In making the deals, Pistons President Joe Dumars was able to acquire the big man the team sorely needed and also was able to obtain cap space to re-sign Mehmet Okur next season. Okur is a free agent at the end of this season.

Wallace, 29, who makes $17 million per season, is in the final year of his contract and has expressed interest in playing for the New York Knicks next season.

[DeToxRox]

thanks Jon.

[stevew]

Yep, KG didn't play for most of the first season. That sure killed his career.

KG Played a LOT his rookie year. I think the whole Darko/Melo malaise is that people who follow the pistons, knew of their obvious need for a #3. And instead Dumars takes the Euro kid, while by all accounts the kid may be nice, Melo would be able to start this year.


But anyways, if you look at it, Darko deserves to bust, after all the shenanigans the pistons did to keep Memphis from being able to give them a different pick instead of #2 overall.

[ice4277]

But anyways, if you look at it, Darko deserves to bust, after all the shenanigans the pistons did to keep Memphis from being able to give them a different pick instead of #2 overall.
This whole statement is filled with stupidity, beginning to end.

[Subby]

Dumars turns nothing into 'Sheed
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="550"> <tbody><tr> <td class="textsmall" align="left" valign="top"> By Chad Ford
NBA Insider
Send an Email to Chad Ford (http://insider.espn.go.com/insider/writeback?name=Chad+Ford) </td> <td class="textsmall" align="right" valign="top"> Thursday, February 19
Updated: February 19
2:49 PM ET </td> </tr> </tbody></table>


Joe Dumars, you are my hero.

Armed with a bunch of middling expiring contracts and two mid-to-late first-round picks, the Pistons found a way to turn that into Rasheed Wallace (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3006) on Wednesday.

The deal, first reported by Insider, sent Bob Sura (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3019), Zeljko Rebraca (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=2677), Lindsey Hunter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=1281), Chucky Atkins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3391) and the Pistons' two first-round picks to Boston and Atlanta and Rasheed and Mike James (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3577) to Detroit. The Pistons also sent cash to Boston.

We'll wait while you pick yourself up off the floor.

We all know what Detroit was thinking. The Pistons added one of the better low-post scorers in the league in Wallace, a point guard in James who has actually outperformed the guy they shipped out (Atkins), and they cleared nearly nine million in cap room earmarked for restricted free agent Mehmet Okur (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3547).

The ability to re-sign Okur is the ultimate prize for Detroit. A Pistons source told Insider that the team gave no assurances to Wallace that it would re-sign him this summer. Instead, the Pistons are protecting the extra $4.5 million in cap room they just cleared to make sure that other teams under the cap like Utah, Phoenix or Denver can't steal Mehmet away.

We have now idea what Atlanta or Boston are thinking.

"They're morons," one league executive told Insider. "I can't believe they just did that."

The Hawks keep all of their cap room (which should be around $20 million this summer) but only pick up an extra mid-first-round pick via Milwaukee in the deal.

It's even worse for Boston. The Celtics traded away $6.6 million in cap room and their starting point guard, James, for a guy who is was a backup in Detroit and has two more years left on his deal. I know Danny Ainge likes this draft, but . . . is a late-first-round pick worth that?

Mark this down as the deal of the season.

[DeToxRox]

Is it our fault they traded us a #1 for Otis Thorpe?

And we have Tayshaun Prince as our #3, and who is only a second year player. After what he did in the playoffs, why would we go draft Melo? We need a big man who can score and by all accounts, Darko can be that player.

[DeToxRox]

lol, that quote by the league executive is classic.

[ice4277]

lol, that quote by the league executive is classic.
It was probably Joe D ;)

[cmp]

KG Played a LOT his rookie year. I think the whole Darko/Melo malaise is that people who follow the pistons, knew of their obvious need for a #3. And instead Dumars takes the Euro kid, while by all accounts the kid may be nice, Melo would be able to start this year.

But anyways, if you look at it, Darko deserves to bust, after all the shenanigans the pistons did to keep Memphis from being able to give them a different pick instead of #2 overall.

Of course KG played a lot his rookie year. He wasn't on a good team. Darko is on a very good team and that is the reason he is not playing a lot yet. The kid's 18. He has plenty of time.

Shenanigans? I'd call it terrific work by the GM to get the best pick possible. That just shows why Dumars is one of the best GM's in the league.

Now about the trade. This is perfect for the Pistons. They only got rid of players who wouldnt have made any impact and got rid of Chucky to clear room to resign Okur next season. Getting Rasheed gives a terrific shot at getting to the Finals and actually competing now.

[Samdari]

Garnett's rookie year 80 games 46 starts, 28.7 min/game.

Nowitski's rookie year, 47 games, 24 starts 20.4 min/game.

Both are way more than Darko will get.

DeToxSomeMoreStupidCrapHeThinksIsCool you seem to think that because we knew he would not play this year somehow indicates that he will be good. I don't see the connection. I am not projecting him a bust because despite the rush to draft euro big men, only two have had success - and NONE of them have played like big men, they all want to be 6'11 SFs. He will end up the same, just without Dirk's shot.

[The Afoci]

Steve, I was wrong, KG played in 80 games, and average 10 pts and 6 boards. But it was known that when Darko, who was given an exception into the league because he was too young, was drafted that he would sit the bench. Next year will be the year to call him a bust or not. I highly doubt he will.

[Samdari]

Steve, I was wrong, KG played in 80 games, and average 10 pts and 6 boards. But it was known that when Darko, who was given an exception into the league because he was too young, was drafted that he would sit the bench. Next year will be the year to call him a bust or not. I highly doubt he will.

The problem here is that he can only develop by playing. And for the next 3-4 years, the Pistons will be a good team, thus not affording them the luxury of sacrificing wins short term for the long term benefit of developing a player. They have effectively guaranteed that if he ever amounts to anything in the league, it will be for another team, after sitting for years on their bench. Call it the Jermaine O'Neal effect. Whether he busts or ends up starring for another team, the pick was a terrible one for the Pistons.

[stevew]

This whole statement is filled with stupidity, beginning to end.


Well I guess it depends on your perception. You must be a detroit fan. As not a detroit fan, I think the pistons used "shenanigans." And I think it would be funny as hell if Darko flops. Serves them right

[The Afoci]

I think they will have room for Darko next year. He will know the offense and from all accounts I have seen(1, can't remember where, ESPN the Mag probably) his teammates say he is doing very well in practice and could play a lot more if he had total understanding of the offense and defense.

[ice4277]

I think one thing that is being overlooked about Darko is that, were he American, he would only be a senior in high school this year. Give him a little time.

[ice4277]

Well I guess it depends on your perception. You must be a detroit fan. As not a detroit fan, I think the pistons used "shenanigans." And I think it would be funny as hell if Darko flops. Serves them right
Well, what exactly do you consider "shenanigans"?

[rkmsuf]

This is generally but generally in the NBA you can play or you can't play and that shows right away.

Maybe Darko is a project but taking a project where they drafted was not good...

Unless you can convince me it's all Larry Brown's doing to limit him to 50 some odd minutes the entire year I'd have to label him a project...

[rkmsuf]

Does anyone have any logical perspective on why Boston would do this? I'm searching for a reason and I can't come up with one...

[DeToxRox]

And Darko was going to fall past 3?

[SirFozzie]

Danny Ainge is a frickin Idiot. There's your reason. That is all.

David Y. a very disappointed Celts fan.

[rkmsuf]

Danny Ainge is a frickin Idiot. There's your reason. That is all.

David Y. a very disappointed Celts fan.

I was hoping to avoid that as I was an Ainge guy but I've turned the corner and am on your side now...

[Chief Rum]

I'm thinking of marketing a new game in the mold of "Where's Waldo?"

I will call it "Where's Wallace?"

What do you guys think?

CR

[QuikSand]

I really don't follow the NBA at all, and probably would have liked the team even more (much more) had they drafted Carmello Anthony... but I like both Larry Brown and Joe Dumars, and I like the way the Pistons play. If you put a gun to my head and asked me who I root for in the NBA, I'd probably first make a bubble with my own spittle, and then say Detroit.

[QuikSand]

I will call it "Where's Wallace?"

Anyoen who watched the first season of The Wire might have another association with this. (Very memorable moment from that show)

But that's a side point.

[Chief Rum]

Never watched The Wire.

Did I unintentionally stumble ona humorous side point? :)

CR

[Neuqua]

Great great pickup for Detroit.

As a Nets fan, I was kind of hoping maybe they could find a way to get him but looks like Dumars beat Thorn to the punch. Very good pickup.

And as for Darko, while I don't mind his selection, I really think the wise choice would have been to take Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is a flat out winner and just in his rookie year he's showed that he's well on his way to the elite.

While Darko hasn't played much this season, even when he does get into games, he looks clueless. Maybe it's due to his age, but the game just seems too fast for him. But then I'm not ready to call him a bust yet either, we'll give him another year or so to show some sort of improvements.

The difference between Darko and the Garnetts, O'neals, and Nowitzki's is that the other 3 played solid ball while they were in. Prorated to their minutes they didn't do very bad at all. Darko on the other hand has really not shown much.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

Wow, I didn't know Sam Bowie was an good outside shooter who can handle the ball and pass. I always thought he was a tall pile of crap. Someone should pick him up and try him out again. He was misused as a player last time.
speaking of which, what's Yinka Dare up to these days? OK, that was bad... R.I.P.

[tucker342]

Maybe it's just me, but I would not want Rasheed Wallace on my team... and I don't get why anyone would... well unless you like players that like to throw basketballs at teamates and then run away laughing and not to mention been arrested several times... Enjoy him Piston fans

[tucker342]

dola-



And as for Darko, while I don't mind his selection, I really think the wise choice would have been to take Carmelo Anthony. Anthony is a flat out winner and just in his rookie year he's showed that he's well on his way to the elite.

While Darko hasn't played much this season, even when he does get into games, he looks clueless. Maybe it's due to his age, but the game just seems too fast for him. But then I'm not ready to call him a bust yet either, we'll give him another year or so to show some sort of improvements.

The difference between Darko and the Garnetts, O'neals, and Nowitzki's is that the other 3 played solid ball while they were in. Prorated to their minutes they didn't do very bad at all. Darko on the other hand has really not shown much.

Agreed

[cmp]

While Darko hasn't played much this season, even when he does get into games, he looks clueless. Maybe it's due to his age, but the game just seems too fast for him. But then I'm not ready to call him a bust yet either, we'll give him another year or so to show some sort of improvements.


I'll agree with you that Darko has looked clueless a few times when he was on the court. But that was early on in the year. Lately when he has come in he has actually provided a little spark for Detroit. He is very aggressive on the court and is beginning to look more like he belongs out there. He still has a ways to go though. No one should expect a big improvement anytime this season from him, the summer league is what I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in. Last season he didn't get an oppurtunity to play in summer and it hurt him in the early past of this season.

[Neuqua]

I agree that we should wait and see how he performs in the summer leagues.

I just think that if Detroit had Carmelo on their squad right now, they would be the easy favorites to win the East and along with having one of the top young players in the league. You don't really need big men in the East in order to make it to the finals.

We'll just have to see how all this works out for the Pistons in the end. Being primarily a Bulls fan, you guys are certainly better off than we are.

:(

[albionmoonlight]

Here's an interesting question: Say Darko remains clueless for three years and continues not to produce. If, however, he has the light turn on in year 4 and by his seventh year is the undisputed best player in the league, did Detroit make a mistake in drafting him?

Perhaps the question of whether he will eventually be great and whether he was the smart draft choice for Detroit are two different things?

I don't know where I come out on the issue, not having given it much thought.

[cmp]

You don't really need big men in the East in order to make it to the finals.


But you do need one to win the Finals. Personally I do feel Darko will be a very good player. But there's no way I'm gonna guarantee anything. And I do agree that if right now the Pistons had Carmelo on the team they would be a much better team. But Dumars is looking at the bigger picture. He knows that it's gonna take a dominant big man to win the Finals. I'm gonna trust his judgement on this one.

[JeeberD]

Maybe it's just me, but I would not want Rasheed Wallace on my team... and I don't get why anyone would... well unless you like players that like to throw basketballs at teamates and then run away laughing and not to mention been arrested several times... Enjoy him Piston fans

No kidding. People here in Dallas were salivating over the chance that the Mavs could get him, but there's no way I would want him here. He's a distraction, and he's certainly not a team player.

There's also talk on the Rockets board that the Rox should go for him in the off-season. Dear lord NO. Unh uh. Keep him the hell away from Yao...

[stevew]

But you do need one to win the Finals. Personally I do feel Darko will be a very good player. But there's no way I'm gonna guarantee anything. And I do agree that if right now the Pistons had Carmelo on the team they would be a much better team. But Dumars is looking at the bigger picture. He knows that it's gonna take a dominant big man to win the Finals. I'm gonna trust his judgement on this one.

The only way to win the finals, though, is to get INTO the finals. The pistons would likely be a ton better with Melo right now. Its not like Melo is 23 or something either.....At the most he's 2 years older than Darko. With the way Memo is coming on strong, the last thing they really need is a center. Joe may know whats up, but by the time Darko is ready, asy 3-4 years, whats to say the east is that easy anymore. Several teams are building nice young cores(Cleve for instance).

[Neuqua]

But you do need one to win the Finals. Personally I do feel Darko will be a very good player. But there's no way I'm gonna guarantee anything. And I do agree that if right now the Pistons had Carmelo on the team they would be a much better team. But Dumars is looking at the bigger picture. He knows that it's gonna take a dominant big man to win the Finals. I'm gonna trust his judgement on this one.

I'm not too sure I believe that. As much as its unpopular to say, last June the Nets almost took the Spurs to 7 games, and who knows what would have happened in the final game. It was a meltdown on their part which cost them the series. While Darko has a lot of potential, I don't think anyone sees him developing into a bruiser type of player who can cotend with the Shaqs and Duncans in the world. He seems more like an all-around player although maybe I'm just misinformed.

With them having Ben Wallace on their squad, I think they already have what the other Eastern teams didn't have and that was someone to guard the opposing big men. I think that with him down low, and Rip and Melo creating their own shots, they would stand as good as shot as any team of making the Finals. Especially if they still went ahead and did this Wallace deal.

[DeToxRox]

from what i've read, everyone loves Rasheed whos played with him. his problem is with the refs and the commissioner basically.

rasheed is a guy who can average 20 ppg, 10 rpg and 6 apg. He's a complete player, so I don't know where he can be called selfish.

[Neuqua]

from what i've read, everyone loves Rasheed whos played with him. his problem is with the refs and the commissioner basically.

rasheed is a guy who can average 20 ppg, 10 rpg and 6 apg. He's a complete player, so I don't know where he can be called selfish.

Please please PLEASE tell me you are joking.


Look no further than here at FOFC... (http://dynamic2.gamespy.com/~fof/forums/showthread.php?t=18067&highlight=Rasheed+Wallace)

From ESPN Insider:

Speaking of Wells and the Blazers, how about this incident reported in the Oregonian today.

"As they were leaving the practice facility Wednesday, the morning of their final shootaround together, Bonzi Wells and Rasheed Wallace saw Ruben Boumtje Boumtje shooting jump shots some 100 feet away with his back turned to them.

Wallace slapped Wells on the back and said, "Watch this." Then he picked up a ball, reared back and fired a 100-foot, baseball-style strike that left Boumtje Boumtje writhing the floor. Trainers were summoned. After a few scary minutes, Boumtje Boumtje walked off, OK.

Wells and Wallace?

They giggled like schoolchildren and ran away the moment their teammate hit the canvas."

- - - - - - -

My favorite 'Sheed moment was the photo in SI in the "Jailblazers" article a few years ago. It was a photo taken at a team PR event with children. The photo showed a very disinterested 'Sheed talking on a cell phone. The author went on to talk about how he pretty much ignored the kids that day and spent most of his time talking on the cell.

- - - - - - -

And all that is just after 20 seconds of searching. Rasheed is a douchebag, a good ball player at times, but a douchebag nonetheless.

[Neuqua]

dola -

And let's not pretend that the Rasheed Wallace of today is the same as the Wallace of 3-4 years ago. He has fallen in love with the 3 ptr and as a big man his FG% is a paltry 43%. He averages 6 rebounds per game when he has arguably the longest body in the NBA. I don't know where he could average even close to 6 apg, since his career high is 2.8 apg. Rasheed coming to the East gives the Pistons a good front court player, but he by no means is a saviour of any sorts. He's good, not great. And no where near 20/10/6.

[tucker342]

EXACTLY