Source: Wallace to walk away

[robjv1]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/ne ... id=5325404

Sad to see him go, he was a lot of fun to watch in Portland all the years he was here and I rather agree with some of his rather outspoken comments, such as the piece in the Oregonian back in 2003 that pissed a lot of people off.

He's not the prototypical Tim Duncan-style superstar he was pegged to be, but he certainly contributed a lot of great talent and memories to the NBA. A bit of a hot head on the court, but by all accounts a wonderful family fan, a great teammate (okay maybe Sabonis wouldn't agree) and a very charitable person even when the camera wasn't present. Hard to hate a guy like that in my book.

I'd LOVE to see him enter broadcasting, it would be fantastically entertaining.

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By J.A. Adande
ESPN.com

Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace will retire this summer, an NBA source said on Thursday.

Wallace will walk away from the final two years and $13 million remaining on his contract and conclude a 15-year career that peaked with an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

Wallace, 35, scored 15,860 points and grabbed 7,321 rebounds while playing with the Celtics, Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and Washington Bullets (as they were known at the time). He had indicated to the Celtics that he was feeling too worn down to continue playing after this season.

"Rasheed told me the night before [Game 7], 'I'm going to give you everything I've got. I really believe this is my last game that I'm going to play,'" Celtics Coach Doc Rivers told Boston radio station WEEI recently.

Rather appropriately, after an always-contentious relationship with the league's officials, Wallace's final act in an NBA uniform was to make contact with referees. He never bothered to change after the Celtics lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and stood outside the officials' dressing room in Staples Center demanding to meet with them, before finally being encouraged to leave and board the Celtics' team bus.

It wasn't clear if he wanted to say goodbye, knowing he was retiring as the all-time leader in technical fouls, or if he wanted to dispute calls made in the game.

J.A. Adande is a reporter and columnist for ESPN.com.

[Andrew]

Rather appropriately, after an always-contentious relationship with the league's officials, Wallace's final act in an NBA uniform was to make contact with referees. He never bothered to change after the Celtics lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and stood outside the officials' dressing room in Staples Center demanding to meet with them, before finally being encouraged to leave and board the Celtics' team bus.

Not exactly a storybook ending.

In any event, he's had a pretty good fifteen year run in the league, controversy aside.

[robjv1]

I would guess his intention there would have been to downplay the negative relationship between him and officials over the years, maybe give them a bit of a hard time and say his goodbyes. I would be awfully surprised if he was going to go and start trouble given his demeanor as the game closed, but I guess we'll never know.

[shadowgrin]

It wasn't clear if he wanted to say goodbye, knowing he was retiring as the all-time leader in technical fouls, or if he wanted to dispute calls made in the game.

That's the reason I want to believe. May Allah bless Rasheed's gentle soul.

[Rip32]

He was the key to the Pistons getting their championship in 2004, but outside that I really didn't like Sheed at all. Fucked the Pistons in 05 when he left Horry W I D E open in game six in Detroit then in 07 he blew his cool in game six of the Cavs series.

More of a headache than a helpful player. He's going to go down as the definitive player that people always wonder what he could have been.

[Lamrock]

I've always loved Sheed. He has his (many) faults, but I will miss him dearly. You know, if Pierce opts out, and Boston doesn't retain anybody, they can get a big FA...

[robjv1]

Fucked the Pistons in 05 when he left Horry W I D E open in game six in Detroit.

That was Game 5 actually. I don't know though, lots of great players make bad plays. It's not like he was out of position, he was trying to trap Ginoboli in the corner and cause a turn over and he made a tough pass. I still wouldn't have left him open though, not with how he played down the stretch.

I'd say he made up for things in game 6, he played well and carried the Pistons on that run at the end of the game to secure the win on the road. I agree in regards to the Cleveland game though.

[Rip32]

That was Game 5 actually. I don't know though, lots of great players make bad plays. It's not like he was out of position, he was trying to trap Ginoboli in the corner and cause a turn over and he made a tough pass. I still wouldn't have left him open though, not with how he played down the stretch.

True, but you live with a contested Ginobili three pointer with 5.whatever seconds left, not a wide-open Horry three.

[George7]

Oh no.He will be missed from the game.I always like sheed all these,it's just his character and joy of playing the game,too bad he's retiring

[Andrew]

The important question at this time is, who will carry on the tradition of screaming "Ball don't lie!" when a free throw is missed after a foul they disagree with?

[robjv1]

LOL. I still go to "both teams played hard" as my standard response when somebody asks me a question I don't feel like answering LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrOH-KHxXg0

[Murat]

,The worst miss after Jordan for me. Sheed...Blazers, Pistons, Celtics... .

[Jeffx]

He's going to go down as the definitive player that people always wonder what he could have been.

Yep. One of the most frustrating talented players I've ever seen. When focused, there was nothing this cat couldn't do on the court. Could have been HOF material if he had the desire.

[Laxation]

in 07 he blew his cool in game six of the Cavs series.

I will always remember Sheed for this, and love him for it. Something needed to be said, the officiating was shit and Varejao was flopping all over the place.

Apparently Sheed isn't signing his retiring papers yet, so Celtics can trade him to someone who wants to save cap space. Now he's a valuable bargaining chip!

[Sauru]

that what van horn was for a few seasons in a row. good move by sheed cause i am worried about my celtics in the upcoming season

[Jeffx]

Celtics are in a tricky situation. Can they retool while staying competitive? It was a long season - do the old cats have another run in them? And what will Doc do?

[cavs4872]

The important question at this time is, who will carry on the tradition of screaming "Ball don't lie!" when a free throw is missed after a foul they disagree with?

Flip Saunders?

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The great Jeff Van Gundy?

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Antonio McDyess?

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So many possibilities...

[Sauru]

Celtics are in a tricky situation. Can they retool while staying competitive? It was a long season - do the old cats have another run in them? And what will Doc do?

i think it depends greatly on rondo. if he can get his ass a jump shot it changes everything for the team. he instantly becomes the focal point of the offense while the old 3 can just let the shots come to them. make the game so much easier but first rondo needs to get a fucking jumper to force defenders to fully commit to hit

[Andrew]

Looks like "Ball Don't Lie" will live on, then.

i think it depends greatly on rondo. if he can get his ass a jump shot it changes everything for the team. he instantly becomes the focal point of the offense while the old 3 can just let the shots come to them. make the game so much easier but first rondo needs to get a fucking jumper to force defenders to fully commit to hit

Free throw shooting, too. He's obviously adept at getting to the basket but he needs to be able to capitalise on three point play opportunities or knock down both free throws with regularity. It also makes him a liability at the end of games, giving opponents a shaky free throw shooter to send to the line.

[Axel The Great]

Which is why you get a PG who CAN shoot FT's and put him in to play at end of games, and also to give Rondo breaks during games.

[Rip32]

Which is why you get a PG who CAN shoot FT's and put him in to play at end of games, and also to give Rondo breaks during games.

no, you shouldn't have to take out your best guard. It's his job to find a shooting game, not the Celtics to find a a free throw shooter to back him up.

[Axel The Great]

He's not gonna suddenly go from 60% to 90% at FT's. It's gonna take him time to improve, which is why in the meantime you get a back-up PG.

[air gordon]

just give the ball to Allen or Pierce at the end of games. it's not like the ball has to be in/automatically goes to Rondo's hands during "crunch time". Those 2 are capable ball handlers anyway

but yeh he needs to work on the freebies and outside shot

[Sauru]

rondo should be shooting jumpers right now. infact all he should do all summer is shoot the ball and sleep. he is letting the defense focus too heavily on the the 3. with him and perkins on the court its like 5 on 3 unless we are on the break

[NovU]

As much as I respect Rondo's game, I worry about Boston's future on short term on remaining to be the contender. Rondo's development will help but will that be enough for declines of the big 3s? They definitely need to bring changes to the roster I am thinking.