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When It Comes To Pieces, Sheed a "Perfect Fit" for C’s Championship Puzzle
As Rasheed Wallace sat at the podium in Waltham Thursday afternoon flanked by his own family, as well as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers, the words "perfect fit" seemed to come up in almost everyone's comments when talking about the deal that brought the four-time NBA All-Star and long-time nemesis to the Celtics.
Ray Allen told reporters about how the Big Three would talk in the locker room about what their team needed, and how Wallace's name kept coming up because they knew he'd be a free agent this summer. Garnett talked about being excited for the season to start and sounded as giddy as ever. And Pierce said he already was envisioning this season and has been in the gym thinking about what the team can do now that Wallace is a piece of the puzzle.
So after a 62-win season and second-round playoff exit at the hands of the eventual Eastern Conference champs, the Celtics' superstar core is officially geeked and all but foaming at the mouth to get next season underway and chase Banner 18.
"When Kevin got here a few years ago, we put the NBA on notice," Allen said, recalling how the 2008 World Champions were assembled two summers ago. "I think the same thing just happened with Rasheed getting here."
Given the symbolic nature of Pierce, Allen and Garnett joining Rasheed at the podium this afternoon, today's press conference had a familiar feel. When Garnett was introduced to Boston at the Garden two years ago, Pierce and Allen joined him on stage. In the greenroom before that press conference started, when Garnett and Pierce first made eye contact, Pierce asked, "Where you been all my life?"
And with Wallace joining forces with the Big Three, this team went from stacked to star-studded. Garnett joked that it felt like the good ole days in AAU basketball when they were teenagers.
"Looking at these guys and the things they've accomplished, I (went) to the best place that was the best fit for my career," Wallace said of Garnett, Pierce and Allen and why he signed with the Celtics. "To see these three guys here, that showed me they really want me to be a part of this team, the Boston Celtics family."
Wallace and Garnett have always been close, and Garnett has said on many occasions, including once again today, that watching Wallace is like "looking in the mirror." Given Wallace's size, skills and intensity, not to mention commitment to defense and outside shooting abilities, it's an accurate comparison.
Garnett confirmed that he did some early lobbying with Wallace, and it was well-reported that he, Allen and Pierce all traveled to Michigan at the beginning of July to seduce Wallace into donning the Green.
"I don't chase too many people but this was totally worth it," Garnett said of the recruiting trip. "It's a perfect fit."
Despite a temper that's famously earned him more than his share of technical fouls, Wallace is known by his peers as a consummate teammate off the court. And when it comes to X's and O's, Wallace brings not only the ability to play defense alongside Garnett and give the Celtics a nearly unmatchable front line, but he also has the range to fill Garnett's spot in the Celtics' elbow action offense where KG typically operates at the top of the key.
So who knows if they'll be playing together or backing each other up when the other is off the floor. Rotations, playing time, and starters are all up to Rivers to decide. But man, does Doc have options now or what?
Rivers himself made it clear that Wallace was team's top target this offseason.
"Right when the season ended, you looked at the free agent list, one name popped out right away, it was Rasheed," Rivers said. "It was a perfect fit for us."
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