Ball Don't Lie

We've had a while to adjust to the idea of Rasheed Wallace on the current version of the Boston Celtics. And, if we're honest, we've gone back and forth on this quite a bit since attempting to put pen to paper on the idea sometime this weekend. It's just damned tough to try and assume anything with Rasheed Wallace. We have no idea how he'll play. 

We know how he could play. We know that he could come out inspired, guarding three positions, taking on all comers defensively, setting great screens, nailing open jumpers while heading to the post every so often. He has the talent, even at his advanced age, to turn a year better than Robert Horry could even in Horry's prime.

But you never know with Sheed. Actually, you did know last year. And that's what made his act so distasteful.

The Mavericks retained Jason Kidd. They also might pull in Marcin Gortat. They also might come close to 50 wins this year, if 31-year old Dirk Nowitzki holds serve, Kidd doesn't drop off too much at age 36, and Josh Howard stays on the court and plays as if he's in his prime.

Apologies for the dour assessment, but this is what happens when you pay through the roof to keep a 50-win team together. A team that seemed to run (or, walk) to those 50 wins by taking advantage of a primo coaching effort from Rick Carlisle, alongside a turnback year from Kidd.

Yes, the 2009-10 Mavs could very easily fall off the face of the earth. They could fall into the lottery. They could leave themselves prone to be mocked.

And it might not matter.

Well, our man Skeets has been forced out to Los Angeles, presumably to work on the DVD commentary on Gran Torino. I don't understand what his issue with the movie is, really. It involves a muscle car I'd give a digit to own, Clint Eastwood, and guns. I haven't exactly sat down to watch the flick, but as someone living in the American Midwest, I don't know what Skeets is on about.

I should point out that, with your usual BDL editor running things off in his trailer, demanding that some underling pick the poppies out from his bagel, this mug will be in charge. And things will be a bit different.

For one, Ron Harper will probably be mentioned more times than you're comfortable with. Secondly, the post count will be analysis-heavy and coffee-light. Skeets loves his Canadian brew. I'm what the kids call a "tea-drinker." The kids, for once, are right. Not alright, but correct.

So tune in, for something different. And email - yes, get in touch with this misanthrope - and see what happens. We'll make a week of it. You'll dig it. I promise.

Site news: Posting by yours truly will be light to non-existent for most of this week, thanks to a bunch of meetings and seminars at company Y! headquarters. Yes, that's right, Jimmy — I'm headed to "Cal-i-for-nia." I can't wait to encounter a sassy redhead and Lucas Barton's Power Glove. They're both so bad.

In my place, the incomparable Kelly Dwyer, who will once again be offering a series of posts based mainly around the free agent frenzy. He absolutely killed it on Wednesday, so you're in good hands. Guitar playin' hands. Strong hands. Quick hands.

So there you have it. I'll still be plugged in, "on the grid," so to speak, so you can always hit me up via email or Twitter. Let's see how many connecting flights I can miss this time around! I'm hoping for two!

Shaq! Artest! Vince! Hedo! 'Sheed!

Just when you thought this NBA off-season couldn't get any crazier, comes news the Boston Celtics have reached an agreement with free agent forward/center Rasheed Wallace(notes) on a two-year deal that starts at the midlevel exemption of about $5.8 million. Globe don't lie!

The Celtics offered Wallace the contract during a three-hour meeting in Detroit on Thursday. Celtics stars Kevin Garnett(notes), Ray Allen(notes) and "Snake Eyes" Paul Pierce joined general manager Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck at the meeting.

Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, originally said his client would meet with other teams later this week, but that butter knife Garnett held to 'Sheed's throat apparently did the trick. (KG's very convincing!) Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, Dallas and San Antonio were said to be other suitors.

The 35-year-old Wallace can play the low post and also has exceptional shooting range. He averaged 12 points per game for the Pistons last year, before falling to just 6.5 points per game in the first round of the playoffs as Detroit was swept in four games by The LeBrons.

We'll have more on this tomorrow, but for now let's hear your take below.

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, fresh off a record 10th NBA Championship as a coach, announced on Friday that he will return to his sideline throne next year for another run at a ring. How Jackson plans on growing an 11th finger is beyond me, but nevertheless, he's back, sans dramatic fax.

"After consulting with Lakers team internist Dr. John Moe, I feel confident that I can gainfully pursue an NBA season with another long playoff postseason. All things point to go!," said Jackson through a team release.

The announcement comes less than 24 hours after free agent forward Ron Artest(notes) reached a verbal agreement to join the Lakers next season, which makes one wonder whether team doctors checked Jackson's blood pressure before or after the signing. 

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.

C: From Deep. Michael Grange: "The latest word is that the three-year, $21-million deal that has been speculated as the Raptors' offer for Shawn Marion(notes) might be a bit light ... Think four years and north of $32-million." (Update: According to reports, Portland and Hedo have reached an agreement in principle.)
PF: Sactown Royalty. Leon Powe(notes) vs. Ike Diogu(notes) vs. Tom Ziller.
SF: Marginal Revolution, via ShareBro Graydon. A simple economic model of today's NBA.
SG: FirstCuts. This summer, Jordan Brand is taking inspiration from each of MJ's 60+ point games. I like.
PG: Bullets Forever. Six reasons why Nick Young's(notes) probably a goner in Washington.
6th: With Leather. This young gentleman really, really, really likes LeBron James(notes).
7th: Truth About It. "Dinner Bell" Mel Turpin, a member of the cursed Bullets/Wiz draft history ... sorta.
8th: CA. Allen Iverson(notes) has through representatives told the Grizzlies he would like to play in Memphis.
9th: TrueHoop. Kevin Arnovitz on what Ben Gordon's(notes) departure means for Derrick Rose(notes).
10th: SLAM Online. "They say reliving an event can be better than experiencing the event itself." Enjoy this sick video, Lakers fans.

Got a tip/link for Ball Don't Lie? Hit me up at jeskeets@yahoo.ca or follow me on Twitter.

Happy Fourth of July, America. Keep your face away from those fireworks.

... or he'll offer to buy you a drink.

True story.

Jimmy Shapiro of Sports Radio Interviews shares his recent 3 a.m. casino encounter with the Boston Celtics forward:

So I'm heading back to my room and I see Paul Pierce(notes) playing craps. Obviously, he wasn't part of the contingency romancing Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics on Thursday or most likely on Friday. I'm in a semi-Red Bull and Vodka daze, but not enough that I don't have my bearings [...]

I watch him play craps for a few minutes and when a lull in the action occurs, I say, 'I thought you were supposed to be wooing 'Sheed.' The Truth didn't take too kindly to my statement. He then says, 'Oh man, can't I get any privacy! Shouldn’t you be looking for girls.' I then tell him I'm married and Pierce then says to me, 'Then why are you in Vegas?' My response is I'm here on business working with Doyle Brunson for the WSOP Main Event. He loses his roll of the dice and slams his hand down on the craps table as hard as he can. I'm not sure if I should feel guilty, not give a crap, or run as fast as I can.

I decide to stay for another minute. He mutters some more stuff under his breath and then offers to buy shots for me since I'm not chasing women. I politely decline and head back up to my room ...

"All right, handsome, look up here and give me a big smile! Say 'cheese!'"Read More >>