Sheed "stars" at D-league open tryouts in (believe it or not) New Mexico

[nba is the worst]

The New Mexico Thunderbirds, the NBA D-League team (in Rio Rancho, NM, just west of Albuquerque) affiliated with the Magic and Hornets, is hoding open tryouts this weekend, and had a surprise guest consultant in attendance, none other than retired Celtic Rasheed Wallace.

Thunderbird Head Coach Darvin Ham invited him to give the attendees the benefit of his knowledge, and apparently he is making the most of the opportunity. Here's an excerpt from the local newspaper, and the link to the story:

The recently retired Wallace, who was last seen scoring 11 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the Boston Celtics' NBA Finals Game 7 loss to the L.A. Lakers in June, doesn't play anymore - but he still can talk.

"He's got the loudest voice in the [dang] building," first-year Thunderbirds head coach Darvin Ham said.

Ham, who garnered national attention with his backboard-shattering dunk while playing for Texas Tech in the 1996 NCAA Tournament against North Carolina, gladly gave the spotlight to his buddy Wallace.

"I met him 14 years ago through one of my teammates who was a rookie with me in Denver - Jeff McInnis - who played with 'Sheed at North Carolina," Ham said. "We were in Denver and headed to Portland to play and (McInnis) said he was going out to eat, he was going to Rasheed's house for dinner. Us rookies got to stick together so I said call him and ask him; I don't want to go and just show up. He called and said 'I'm bringing Darvin Ham with me,' (Rasheed) said, 'Is that the (guy) that broke the backboard against our school?' So ever since then, we've been like long-lost brothers."

But Wallace wasn't here just to berate players like he did to countless NBA officials. 'Sheed came to share his knowledge with the hungry, young hopefuls trying to make an impression on Ham and his staff.

The usually outspoken Wallace declined interview requests but wasn't nearly as surly as he is made out to be.

In between the yelling, Wallace offered counsel, spoke with a player sidelined with an injured ankle, cooed with a toddler and gave such advice as "don't eat no bull--" when the tryout broke for lunch.

Sounds like Sheed (guess I'll drive over today and check it out)...

http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/live/component/content/article/6274-.html

[Tai]

Sounds like Sheed (guess I'll drive over today and check it out)...

http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/live/component/content/article/6274-.html

Inb4 someone asks "Hey ask Sheed if he's coming back to the Celtic in February!!" 

[Jon]

Sounds like Sheed (guess I'll drive over today and check it out)...

http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/live/component/content/article/6274-.html

Inb4 someone asks "Hey ask Sheed if he's coming back to the Celtic in February!!" 

While it's possible, I don't understand why he walks away from 6 million dollars just to sit out the first few months of the season if he simply intends to come back in February.  You could bring in the whole "training camp" issue and how he gets to avoid it; however, I'm pretty confident in saying that Sheed could have found someway to half-ass his way through it if it was really that big of a deal (he approached the regular season that way). 

Remember, all he gets if he comes back is the prorated minimum contract if he comes back in February.  Doesn't seem to make much sense to me. 

Also, I think we'd have to have some pretty bad injuries.  I don't see Sheed coming back to be the team's 6th big man and ride the bench behind Perk, KG, Shaq, JO, and BBD. 

[Dybdal]

It's harder to let go than we think.. i see this as sheed not being able to let go of basketball!

[nmtbirds]

For the record, 'Sheed has been invaluable to us at open tryouts in New Mexico.  He is welcome back any time.  His energy, enthusiasm, knowledge, sense of humor and input have helped the attending players a lot, and these young players respect what he's teaching them.  Rasheed Wallace has the makings of a great coach in the future, if he chooses to pursue that option.  You can't teach passion for the game, and he clearly has it.

[mgent]

Sounds like Sheed (guess I'll drive over today and check it out)...

http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/live/component/content/article/6274-.html

Inb4 someone asks "Hey ask Sheed if he's coming back to the Celtic in February!!" 

While it's possible, I don't understand why he walks away from 6 million dollars just to sit out the first few months of the season if he simply intends to come back in February.  You could bring in the whole "training camp" issue and how he gets to avoid it; however, I'm pretty confident in saying that Sheed could have found someway to half-ass his way through it if it was really that big of a deal (he approached the regular season that way). 

Remember, all he gets if he comes back is the prorated minimum contract if he comes back in February.  Doesn't seem to make much sense to me. 

Also, I think we'd have to have some pretty bad injuries.  I don't see Sheed coming back to be the team's 6th big man and ride the bench behind Perk, KG, Shaq, JO, and BBD. 

Because he knew he didn't want to put in the effort to be the Celtics replacement for Perk and then the first option off the bench again, so he freed up the money that the Celtics wanted to get JO instead.  I still think he's done, but I wouldn't put a comeback out of the realm of possibility (most likely because our guys are injured/Perk doesn't come back strong and for playoff insurance).