Gino's Jungle

If Rasheed Wallace on defense is not the most lazy thing you have ever seen, then you have to comment on what is. On consecutive possessions in the first quarter of the Lakers game last night, Sheed played flat footed and simply let Pau Gasol blow by him. Like what was said on whatever station it was, I cant even remember, maybe TNT, "Rasheed Wallace will play defense for the first step and a half then as an offensive player you will either get an easy basket or get fouled." Is that not an extremely true statement? That is exactly what he does. If the offensive player contines to attack the basket, Sheed will either hack the living crap out of them, or let them score.

What is the most amazing to me is the defense we expect from this guy. He was a player who came in highly touted for the defense he played early in his career, yet we still expected to see atleast a LITTLE of that. So far we have seen NONE. His defense is an absolute mockery of what we as Celtics fans like to call "Celtics D". I don't give a rip if you are slow, or old, or what have you, but for the love of every C's fan out there, do NOT complain like a baby after you clearly foul a guy due to your lack of tenacity. (I know I am talking like he can hear me. I know he can't. Maybe... Do you think he can?)

Wallace is an extremely lengthy guy, therefore he can make up for his piss poor defense after someone comes over to help the bum by grabbing the defense board. Thats his motto, "Just get in the way a little and let the help defense bail you out."

If you think his laziness remains on defense you are extremely wrong. Look at his offensive production. Why go down into the post and score 85% of the time, when instead you can stand behind the arc and throw up enough bricks to build a new million dollar apartment building in downtown Boston? Sheed hits one 3, and suddenly thinks he is Reggie Miller, so before long he has gone 1-7 shooting 3's on the night. If you think that is an exaggeration just look at some of the box scores. Then when he misses one, he seems to think eventually he will find it, so he keeps looking for it. News Flash: This just in, Rasheed Wallace can't hit the broad side of a barn (great cliche') after he misses 2 three pointers in a row. He needs to stop settling, and instead help the team out by getting into a position where he can actually do some damage.

As for his entire game, I am extremely disappointed. I expected much more out of him despite his old age. Right now, his lack of ability on the hardwood has nothing to do with being in his 30's. No, it has to do with where his head is. Rasheed, you said when you got here you wanted a championship, you said your new years resolution was "to get the 'ship", at this exact moment in time, your not helping the cause.