Rasheed and Fines

[Hoops]

I'm not a fan of "free speech" on the court when it hurts the team during a game (e.g., technical free throws for the opponent), but I really love Rasheed's perspective on free speech (off the court) and money as a motivator - I find it very refreshing:

"When it was suggested he could offer a 'no comment' to questions about officiating, Rasheed Wallace said, 'Yeah, I could do that, but I think I have to be honest when I’m asked a question. And what happened to freedom of speech? You know, I say what’s on my mind, speaking my freedom, and I get fined for it. It’s a catch-22 with that (expletive), man. See, they think they can control people with money. Everybody don’t live like that. That’s how they live up there in that office. They think, ‘Oh, I’m going to hit him in the pocket. That’s where it will hurt.’ No, it don’t hurt me. I didn’t have it growing up, so, I mean, either way it don’t hurt me. As long as my family’s cool, I’m cool. It ain’t hurting my family. I make sure of that.' "

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20091231td_off_rasheed_wallace_still_talking/

It also seems clear that Sheed's family is most important to him and he makes sure they're well taken care of. Again, not a fan of his on-court antics all the time, but I think I would really dig that cat as a person and a friend.

[Tai]

Kobe has been T'd up before for giving the refs a hard time, like in the Christmas Day game against the Cavs. Him and Rasheed prove, as far as I'm concerned, that the refs don't distinguish between star and non-star; you give the refs a hard time, you WILL be T'd up. I mean, two months ago they were debating whether Lebron was fouled on a drive that coulda won the Cavs a game. And no, the foul wasn't called.

Oh yeah, and I'll always love Rasheed. Now, if only he could shoot some 3's.