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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Articles Rasheed
a hit in D-Town
The Pistons are 12-3 since acquiring the sometimes malcontent Wallace; they own an eight-game winning streak after drubbing potential playoff opponent Cleveland by 20 points on Sunday; and they're looking like the team most likely to challenge Indiana for the Eastern Conference crown. And thus far, Rasheed's been a model citizen in the Motor City, with his coach and teammates having nothing other than praise for the new Piston. "Just from watching us, you can see how different we play now," said Lindsey Hunter. "He's an unselfish superstar, and that's a thing you can't put a value on in this league. This is a guy who could go out and get 30 every night if he wants to, but he really looks to make his team better – and in turn it's made us really good." According to coach Larry Brown, Rasheed has brought real versatility to the team, and another "great defender" to go along with Ben Wallace, who himself happens to be the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. "Rasheed is a guy who can play more than one position," Brown said. "Defensively, he can block shots and he's got great quickness. So he's really helped us on that end. Offensively, you know he can score inside, he can score outside and he's a terrific passer. So he's made everybody better." Brown, in fact, said he hadn't realized what a great passer Rasheed is, or how well he communicates defensively. "He's got our whole team talking defensively now, which is something that is difficult for any coach to get his team to do," Brown said. "And he's managed to do it by himself and get everybody aware of that." When he's on and playing that total team game, many of the things Wallace brings to the Pistons don't necessarily show up in the boxscore. The game on the road in Cleveland is a good case in point. He logged just 15 minutes – partly because of foul trouble but also because the Pistons were so much in command – and tallied just 10 points, two steals, one block and one rebound. But his impact on the game showed up in many areas. Even Cavs coach Paul Silas noticed the difference Wallace made. "He's just upgraded their whole team," Silas said. "And it really seems like he's enjoying what he's doing right now. He's enjoying playing with these guys. And winning, of course, helps." For his part, Rasheed still doesn't talk much to the media, and what he does say are normally short, partial sentences where he tells the right things. He said coach Brown is "definitely cool"; the main adjustments he's had to make is "just seeing how are cats play, just knowing their tendencies and where to help them on the court;" and no one specific individual has stood out on the Pistons, just "all of them as a team unit." He doesn't speak about his upcoming status as a free agent and what his priorities will be for choosing a team, but does note that recently becoming a father for the fourth time helps keep basketball in perspective. "It's really two different worlds," Rasheed said. "Even if I wasn't playing basketball, I'd still be a father." His new teammates, however, aren't as shy in commenting on what he's meant to the Pistons. "He's a real versatile, smart player, so he brings a little bit of everything to the table: offense, defense, transition, passing," said Elden Campbell. "He's a good guy. He's got a little knucklehead in him, but that's what we need." Starting small forward Tayshaun Prince thinks having the Wallaces blocking shots and rebounding has been the key reason the Pistons defense has stepped it up several levels, and said Rasheed's "addition is a good key why we're pushing to go far in the playoffs." Meanwhile, Ben Wallace is impressed by his overall game. "He can spread the court on the offensive end. He can rebound and defend. He can step out on the floor and defend smaller guys. He just takes a lot of pressure off the other guys. He can roam around in the passing lanes and force guys to shoot over him. He's just been solid for us all the way around." Both Hunter and Ben Wallace said it's one thing to play against him and admire his talent, but playing with him brings a whole new level of appreciation. "When you actually get him on your team, he does so many different things," Ben Wallace said. "Every night he steps up and does a little something different. So he's constantly surprising guys out there on how well he can play and how well he knows the game." Hunter agreed, saying: "In playing with him, it's just a lot of other things you learn about a guy that you didn't know. And I think he's a great, great teammate, and that's the stuff that people wouldn't know about him. We love being around him, we love playing with him. It's really making us come together." Bruce Meyer is a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com Tell us what you think about this article. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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