"Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

[The 24th Letter]

Charles Barkley and Kenny where saying this last night.....
I expect this from Charles, but not Kenny

but thats besides the point.

Now first off, I do not believe this entirely. I mean you have James, Bryant etc..... but I it made me think...How much is Rasheeds mentality\attitude holding him back? It made me think of that LA series w\ DET....the guy was UNGUARDABLE....he never missed it seemed....the turnaround was good no matter who was gaurding him...and I was like "why doesnt he get more touches?".....from what I watch of him, it just seems like he has so much potential hes not tapping into...

what do yall think?

[Kruza]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

I mostly agree. A mentally focused Sheed can certainly be the best player in the league. Think about it: Sheed is the only big man in the league who is a legitimate threat in posting up (to the point where he demands double teams) and shooting 3s. And Sheed is among the very best interior defenders in the league. If he had just half of KG's focus in every game he would definitely be unstoppable.

But... Sheed is mostly an unselfish team player who doesn't have that killer instinct to not give a f--- what anyone thinks and take over a game night in and night out like Kobe. He'll only try to do so when the rest of the team is struggling or if Chauncey Billups calls his number and forcefeeds him the rock. He also lacks consistency in his game. Hot one game, and very cold the next game. He tends to drift behind the arc and shoot 3s way too often. This can be good thing if his shot is on, but can also be very bad thing if the shot is not falling because he could be trying to get offensive rebounds instead of uncorking all those long misses. Plus officials often irritate him to the point where he loses focus whenever he picks up ticky-tack fouls on defense early in a game.

Kruza

[Psyblast]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

I agree to a point.

It frustrates me to no end how it seems that the Pistons go as Rasheed goes, considering he can be so inconsistent.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

When he was in Portland, he was even scarier. These days he seems a bit passive for my tastes. Like Kruza alluded to, he's extremely unselfish and will not demand the ball or shots. Personally I think it's a mistake not to make Sheed the go to guy [in the paint], because come playoff time having him as the focus is going to get them over the top.

[X*Cell]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

I mostly agree. A mentally focused Sheed can certainly be the best player in the league. Think about it: Sheed is the only big man in the league who is a legitimate threat in posting up (to the point where he demands double teams) and shooting 3s. And Sheed is among the very best interior defenders in the league. If he had just half of KG's focus in every game he would definitely be unstoppable.

But... Sheed is mostly an unselfish team player who doesn't have that killer instinct to not give a f--- what anyone thinks and take over a game night in and night out like Kobe. He'll only try to do so when the rest of the team is struggling or if Chauncey Billups calls his number and forcefeeds him the rock. He also lacks consistency in his game. Hot one game, and very cold the next game. He tends to drift behind the arc and shoot 3s way too often. This can be good thing if his shot is on, but can also be very bad thing if the shot is not falling because he could be trying to get offensive rebounds instead of uncorking all those long misses. Plus officials often irritate him to the point where he loses focus whenever he picks up ticky-tack fouls on defense early in a game.

Kruza

It's the Pistons offense that has him drift out to the three, but you can't blame them because it sets up their shut-down defense. Once the Detroit shots go up and the opposing team is pushing the ball, the Pistons defense, namely Rasheed Wallace, is back there to stop any kind of fast-breaks and keep the offense honest. Many times in which the Spurs could have had fast breaks, ended up being thwarted by Wallace's position on the floor because he's already 26 feet down the court when the Pistons shoot.

[trobinson97]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

The best is stretching it a little, but I don't think it would an exaggeration that he could be top 3-5 if his head was in it to be that. Dude has a serious post game and can keep opposing big men out of the paint with his perimeter game. Not to mention is a very good defender. Like Psyblast said, it's frustrating to watch sometimes because sometimes he's too unselfish and sometimes likes to hang around the perimeter too much. I'll gladly take it though since I believe the good far outweighs the bad.

[X*Cell]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

The best is stretching it a little, but I don't think it would an exaggeration that he could be top 3-5 if his head was in it to be that. Dude has a serious post game and can keep opposing big men out of the paint with his perimeter game. Not to mention is a very good defender. Like Psyblast said, it's frustrating to watch sometimes because sometimes he's too unselfish and sometimes likes to hang around the perimeter too much. I'll gladly take it though since I believe the good far outweighs the bad.

again... he hangs around the perimeter because it's Detroit's best plan concerning the welfare of their defense.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

I agree to a point.

It frustrates me to no end how it seems that the Pistons go as Rasheed goes, considering he can be so inconsistent.

yeah, it just seems like its not his SKILLS that are inconsistent....but his mentality

[ZB9]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

he's "soft"
j/k btw

imo, the Pistons need to find a center to put next to Rasheed that is a threat to score. That would free Sheed up...but he'll never be the best in the league or even top 10. That is a little crazy.

[Cebby]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

I think that statement is a little ridiculous.

From just a pure physical/skill standpoint, I don't think he's in the same league as Lebron, Kobe, Timmy, or Howard.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

From just a pure physical/skill standpoint, I don't think he's in the same league as Lebron, Kobe, Timmy, or Howard.

well I dont know about that.....Sheed is def a ATHELETE
there are people in the NBDL that are on par with all the guys you named PHYSICALLY...

I can especially say for Timmay being a Spurs fan.....dude cant move Rasheed....

but if were talking more about skill though....of course....but sheed has skill

[ehh]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

He could be a Top 15 player, but definitely not the best.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

In his Portland days, if he could've put it together mentally, coupled with his physical abilities, he would be considered a ton different than he is currently. In his P-town days he was a force from anywhere on the court, and still had young legs, and a nastier attitude.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

In his Portland days, if he could've put it together mentally, coupled with his physical abilities, he would be considered a ton different than he is currently. In his P-town days he was a force from anywhere on the court, and still had young legs, and a nastier attitude.

word. watching youtube portland highlights now.....crazy stuff

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: "Rasheed Wallace could be the BEST player in the league if he wanted"

I saw plenty of him from my days of living in Portland [his prime years]. I still say he doesn't get enough shots right now. He should be getting 13-15 shots per, starting in the paint. But to say he could be the best if he really wanted is a huge stretch at this point in his career. He's simply too old, has too much mileage.