SHEEEDDD!

Today I received some great news.  I saw a headline on a basketball news website that said that Rasheed Wallace was thinking about coming out of retirement to sign with the New York Knicks.  This can mean only one thing...  SHEEEDDDD! Arenas used to sound off when his name was called during spotlight introductions.

Sheedddddd!

In his prime, Rasheed Wallace was an excellent NBA player.  He was a top two power forward in the league.  He was a great on and off-ball defender, an athletic freak, and one of the best shooting big men of all time.  If he wasn't dunking on your head, he was reigning a trey in your eye.

Sheed for three

Growing up a Lakers fan, I should have hated Sheed.  He was doing his thing for the Portland Trailblazers, the thorn in the Lakers side in the early 2000's.  But there was something about Sheed that made you love him and hate him at the same time.  He had that swag that you just couldn't deny.  On top of this, he must have talked more trash than anyone else in the history of basketball.  It wasn't enough that Sheed was dominating you physically.  He had to be in your ear the whole game too.  

I love this from a sentimental standpoint.  Sheed is the man, and the NBA is more entertaining with him playing rather than sitting on a couch at home.   Now, let's look at this from a management standpoint.  This is a very interesting move by the Knicks assuming that they go through with it.  Tyson Chandler, the Knicks starting Center, who Sheed would back-up, has already talked positively about the move (Chandler's Quote).  Rasheed Wallace wasn't exactly "Sheed" in his last tour of NBA duty with the Boston Celtics.  He was often disinterested at times, and mainly ran three-point line to three-point line.  He was what we call a Jacker, putting up any open shot, good or bad, and not playing much of any defense.  

Despite all this, the Celtics were able to squeeze enough out of him to get back to the NBA finals that year with Rasheed as one of their first two big men off the bench.  

The Knicks already signed another aging big man this offseason in Marcus Camby, who should still be a defensive force off the bench.  With Wallace they are probably looking to add some offense and efficient 1-on-1 post defense and veteran leadership.  Both Camby and Wallace should be able to provide a lot of useful advice (the two have 35 combined seasons in the league!) for a team trying to get over the hump.  If the Knicks get wallace at the bargain price of the veteran's minimum around ($1.2 million/year), as I assume they will, I can't disagree with the signing.  If the Knicks get off to a hot start and Sheed buys in, he still has a lot he can bring to the table.  

The Knicks are already set up front, and Sheed will only add to their versatility.  Tyson Chandler is fresh off his first Defensive Player of the Year Award.  Amar'e Stoudemire, when healthy is a versatile and explosive scorer.  As I already said, Marcus Camby is a savvy veteran and former Defensive Player of the Year.  Andddd, I just looked up the Knicks roster and it turns out they also have the ageless Kurt Thomas on their roster.  Add his 19 seasons to MC and Sheed's 35 and that's a whopping 54 years of NBA experience coming off the bench.    This is a great combination of experience and skill in the front court. With the addition of Sheed, the Knicks improve their chances of competing with the likes of the Miami Heat in the East.  

All in all, I approve this move by the Knicks.  In fact, its one of the first smart things they've done in a long time now.  After many bad signings and horrible trades, the Knicks have gotten themselves back to a point where they are close to contending for  a championship.  The signing of SHEED will only help them get closer to achieving that goal.