Need for Sheed

I know a couple of guys who really having a dying love for Rasheed Wallace. My love for Sheed isn't at their level so I had to have one of those guys, Minkley do a post honoring Rasheed.


With the news of Rasheed Wallace’s retirement comes much reflection and remembrance of a captivating and charismatic career. We have watched the self-proclaimed “Dirty 30” get rowdy, trash talk, yell and complain, drain threes, and most often…get ‘T’ed up…and again…and again


Over 15 years of an NBA career, “Sheed” has made it to the playoffs 14 times, been an All-Star four times, won one NBA championship ring (with the Pistons in ’04), and apparently has yet to commit a foul.

After game seven of the 2010 NBA Finals, Wallace’s last game (unless he pulls out a Jordan-esque return), Rasheed gave us a fitting night cap on his career when he waited outside the referees locker room, banging on the door while still in his game jersey. He had to be coerced back onto the bus, and God only knows what would’ve happened if the Crawford boys had opened up that door. Perhaps a little “ball doesn’t lie” and a quick game of “HORSE” were in order. Sadly, we will never know.

Sheed, you were always one to entertain. To the best of my knowledge, Wallace is the only player to ever have been ejected from the McDonald’s All American game for the top high school players in the country. From there, he terrorized collegiate officials for two years at North Carolina under Dean Smith before heading off to become the NBA’s most entertaining bad boy.

“Roscoe” had his best personal years playing for the Portland Trailblazers in the first half of his career, after his first (and only) playoff-less season with the Washington Bullets in ’95-’96. With career highs of 19.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 2.8 APG, Rasheed Wallace may have never realized his full potential as a basketball player, but as he holds both the single season (41) and all-time (306) records for technical fouls by a player, he never lacked enthusiasm and passion. He may have to come back at some point as a coach to chase down Jerry Sloan’s mark of 413 combined technicals as both a coach and a player.

There was the time Wallace was ejected for staring down the ref. There was the season after the Pistons won the title that he wore a WWF Championship Belt to every single game. There was his crazy Carlton dancing in the huddle prior to each game. There was his beat-boxing rendition of jingle bells; his creep behind Reggie Miller broadcasting; his lion’s roar at UNC’s Midnight Madness during his freshman year; and, of course, the classic “both teams played hard” press conference with the Blazers.

Rasheed just has the entertainment value that no other NBA player, save maybe Ron Artest, can match. It comes from his on-court tirades (Ball don’t lie!), off-court antics (2010 playoff karate chop), and strange appearance. Back in his Portland days, Sheed and his boys (Bonzi Wells, Scottie Pippen, etc…) started the headband fad that never seemed to fade in his mind. He also loved to grow out a nappy mini-fro from time to time, supplemented nicely by his classic beard. Whether you like him or not, it’s impossible not to chuckle at his appearance.

So next time you’re down at the bar with your buddies, or in my case, just chuggin’ brews wherever possible, I ask that you raise your glass one last time for the man who disguised his receding hairline with his headband, but could never hide that incredible bald spot; the man who was legitimately shocked and would sprint down the court with hands high above his head if a foul was ever called on him; the man who screamed in pain with his mouth wide open any time he was fouled; the man who will be forever known by one name: SHEED.

-Andy Minkley
If I am not covering something that you are interested in writing a guest post email me at tritscca@uwec.edu

Western Conference NBA Playoff Picks

I am a bit late but still that doesn't matter.  Honestly, pretty exciting times for me because I really have got myself into the NBA this season, the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the 16 teams in there, and I think the playoffs are WIIIIIDE OOOPENN.  I think this will as unpredictable as ever. 
1. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 8. Oklahoma City Thunder- Other than the Bucks, I am pretty pumped for this series because of the Durant-Kobe matchup and the youth of the Thunder could be a preview of things to come.  I think the Thunder could push this series to the sixth or seventh game of this series but I do think they need to get one win in L.A. to really believe they can actually do it.  The difference maker will be Russell Westbrook because he will be facing a washed-up Derek Fisher therefore he could run him all over the court throughout the series. I think the Lakers win but this will be a bloodbath for sure.  LA in 7 

4. Denver vs. 5. Utah- A series that could have been a lot better if the Jazz had Andrei Kirinlinko and you have to worry about Carlos Boozer's rib injury.  The Jazz do have Deron Williams who has been playing out of this world lately and they have a mismatch with Chauncey Billups which they could expose.  I hate to bet against Carmelo Anthony because I think he is one of the best late-game closer and continues to not get enough love by the national media.  I think this will be a dogfight but the injuries of Utah pull me towards the Nugs.  DEN in 7

3. Phoenix vs. 6.Portland- Once again, a better series if Brandon Roy was healthy. The Suns have arguably been the best team since the All-Star Break.  I hate to bring it up like everyone else but Amar'e Stoudamire decided to play basketball again.  He looks like a tyrant out there and will create problems for the Trailblazers.  I will give Portland a game at home due to their rabid homecourt advantage but Steve Nash will take control of this one.  PHX in 5 

2. Dallas vs. 7. San Antonio- Two teams that have had some epic series in the past couple of years and I think this will be the proving point that the Spurs are indeed washed-up.  I haven't seen anything from them that makes me think they can beat a much-improved Maverick team with the additions of Caron Butler and Brenden Haywood. BUT remember when I wrote how Butler/Haywood have not delivered results in the playoffs?  Just keep that in mind if the Spurs find a way to win on in the Big D.  I think both teams win at home then the Mavs get knocked out in the final two.  DAL in 6

-Charlie.

The Clips Cease to Amaze Me

Another trade goes down in the NBA and I am trying to break things down like I am Ric Bucher, Marc Stein, or J.A. Adande with every trade going down this week.  Honestly, I will try my best not to rip a team, but usually in trades especially in the NBA, there is one team that gets completely screwed.  The latest trade is between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

CLIPPERS GET: PG Steve Blake SF Travis Outlaw
BLAZERS GET: PF/C Marcus Camby

Honestly, I have no idea why the Clippers pulled the trigger on this one.  It's not like the Clippers established Blake Griffin already and had no use for Camby, not to mention his contract on the bench.  They do not even know if Griffin will be the same player when he comes back next year.  So why do you give up Camby for a shitty back-up point guard and a guy who just hangs out on the three-point line?  You couldn't pull away a first-round pick or maybe Rudy Fernandez straight up for Camby?   Once again, this is proof that the Clippers will always be the second team in Los Angeles.

As for Rip City (for those who don't know, it's a nickname for Portland), this is a fantastic trade for them. Camby is a guy that is a complete game changer on defense and can block shots like no other. They have been using the lifeless body of Juwan Howard for God sakes, obviously Camby is the better option. Not to mention, Nicholas Batum has been improving by the day and now will be great force off the bench.  A starting five of Miller-Roy-Webster-Alridge-Camby, which becomes a pretty powerful force.  I am not saying they can get past the divisional round, but they are definitly able to advance past the first round. 

-Charlie.

Sam Bowie Curse Infects Rip City Again

I do not know if there is such thing as a Sam Bowie curse.  But for those who do not know... Rip City is a nickname for Portland that the Trailblazers wear on their jerseys this season, and secondly, Sam Bowie was drafted over Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA Draft. Now it appears that Greg Oden's weak knees are infecting the city of Portland again while Kevin Durant makes it rain in Oklahoma City. 

Without a question, I became a part of the "Greg Oden better than Kevin Durant camp".  Honestly, I thought that Durant not being able to bench press 185 bothered me (call me a guido but who really cares) and the fact that Oden was a pure center.  Now he has knees like Patrick Ewing did in the late part of his career and he is only in his third year, rut roh big time.  

Bill Simmons, my hero said in one of his articles that Portland is completely behind Oden and wants Oden to be successful so badly more than any other fan base.  That saddens me personally to see Oden go down then.  The fans really want him to be the best possible player and they do not boo him.  Portland wants him to do well but I have no idea how long they can stand by Oden.  Another knee injury makes the writing on the wall for Oden that he might be finished. 

I hate to say that too because Oden is a nice guy and really doesn't take himself that seriously with all of those commercials.  I want to root for Oden but I have lost all confidence that he will have a good career with those knees.

-Charlie.

NBA Northwest Division Preview

Two left to go and then I leave you with the predictions that will come true in June.

1. Utah Jazz: PG Deron Williams, PF Carlos Boozer, PF Paul Millsap OUTLOOK: If they can figure out ways to have Millsap/Boozer on the court at the same time then they could be real dangerous as a large front court team. PREDICTION: 3rd in the Western Conference.


2. Denver Nuggets: SF Carmelo Anthony, PG Chauncey Billups, PF Nene OUTLOOK: The Nuggets have a lot of the same parts that brought them to the Western Conference Finals and I think Ty Lawson could be the Rookie of the Year this year. The two top spots are interchangeable. PREDICTION: 4th in the Western Conference.


3. Portland Trailblazers: SG Brandon Roy, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, SF Travis Outlaw OUTLOOK: In my opinion, this will be the best division in the Western Conference. Another team that could contend for the top spot in the Northwest. Greg Oden's development plays a large part. PREDICTION: 5th in the Western Conference.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder: SF Kevin Durant, PG Russell Westbrook, PF Jeff Green- OUTLOOK: The Thunder are my favorite young team right now and a team who I truly believe could make the playoffs if they weren't in such a tough division. Next year will be a huge year for them. PREDICTION: 11th in the Western Conference.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves: PF Al Jefferson, PG Johnny Flynn, PF Kevin Love- OUTLOOK: The mastermind that is David Kahn could not land Ricky Rubio to the states so he better hope that Flynn has a huge year or he could be short-lived as T-Wolves GM. PREDICTION: 13th in the Western Conference.

-Charlie.