Is this now Gerald Wallace’s basketball team?

[Shamrocker]

Perhaps a more appropriate question would be is this Gerald Wallace’s team until Rondo returns? By now we’re all familiar with Wallace’s stunning postgame indictment on his lackadaisical teammates. And, by all accounts, his comments struck a chord. 

“That means a lot to our team, having somebody say that. It kind of pushes everybody.(said Bradley) I feel like that’s why we had a great practice (Tuesday), because we all know that we can give a little bit more. To have one of our leaders say that, it says a lot about him to call us out for us to step up and to be better for our teammates.”

“I hope everybody got the message, you know what I’m saying?” said Bass. “And just as individuals come out and give maximum effort. And that way we look good as a group.

In my view, whether purposeful or not, Wallace has masterfully positioned himself as the emotional leader of the team. We can only hope the team takes on his personality and work ethic.

[Celtics18]

Perhaps a more appropriate question would be is this Gerald Wallace’s team until Rondo returns? By now we’re all familiar with Wallace’s stunning postgame indictment on his lackadaisical teammates. And, by all accounts, his comments struck a chord. 

“That means a lot to our team, having somebody say that. It kind of pushes everybody.(said Bradley) I feel like that’s why we had a great practice (Tuesday), because we all know that we can give a little bit more. To have one of our leaders say that, it says a lot about him to call us out for us to step up and to be better for our teammates.”

“I hope everybody got the message, you know what I’m saying?” said Bass. “And just as individuals come out and give maximum effort. And that way we look good as a group.

In my view, whether purposeful or not, Wallace has masterfully positioned himself as the emotional leader of the team. We can only hope the team takes on his personality and work ethic.

I would say that until Rondo gets back, Gerald Wallace is probably the co-leader along with the first guy that you quoted. 

[fitzhickey]

Until Rondo returns Crash is the unequivocal leader.

[Eja117]

Until Rondo returns Crash is the unequivocal leader.

I'll go with that. We know at least one guy that it's not.

[clover]

Perhaps a more appropriate question would be is this Gerald Wallace’s team until Rondo returns? By now we’re all familiar with Wallace’s stunning postgame indictment on his lackadaisical teammates. And, by all accounts, his comments struck a chord. 

“That means a lot to our team, having somebody say that. It kind of pushes everybody.(said Bradley) I feel like that’s why we had a great practice (Tuesday), because we all know that we can give a little bit more. To have one of our leaders say that, it says a lot about him to call us out for us to step up and to be better for our teammates.”

“I hope everybody got the message, you know what I’m saying?” said Bass. “And just as individuals come out and give maximum effort. And that way we look good as a group.

In my view, whether purposeful or not, Wallace has masterfully positioned himself as the emotional leader of the team. We can only hope the team takes on his personality and work ethic.

I would say that until Rondo gets back, Gerald Wallace is probably the co-leader along with the first guy that you quoted.

Rondo is famous for playing much harder in big and high profile games than in humdrum regular season games.

[Celtics18]

Perhaps a more appropriate question would be is this Gerald Wallace’s team until Rondo returns? By now we’re all familiar with Wallace’s stunning postgame indictment on his lackadaisical teammates. And, by all accounts, his comments struck a chord. 

“That means a lot to our team, having somebody say that. It kind of pushes everybody.(said Bradley) I feel like that’s why we had a great practice (Tuesday), because we all know that we can give a little bit more. To have one of our leaders say that, it says a lot about him to call us out for us to step up and to be better for our teammates.”

“I hope everybody got the message, you know what I’m saying?” said Bass. “And just as individuals come out and give maximum effort. And that way we look good as a group.

In my view, whether purposeful or not, Wallace has masterfully positioned himself as the emotional leader of the team. We can only hope the team takes on his personality and work ethic.

I would say that until Rondo gets back, Gerald Wallace is probably the co-leader along with the first guy that you quoted.

Rondo is famous for playing much harder in big and high profile games than in humdrum regular season games.

As was Larry Bird.  I'm not sure of the relevance of your comment, though. 

[D.o.s.]

Perhaps a more appropriate question would be is this Gerald Wallace’s team until Rondo returns? By now we’re all familiar with Wallace’s stunning postgame indictment on his lackadaisical teammates. And, by all accounts, his comments struck a chord. 

“That means a lot to our team, having somebody say that. It kind of pushes everybody.(said Bradley) I feel like that’s why we had a great practice (Tuesday), because we all know that we can give a little bit more. To have one of our leaders say that, it says a lot about him to call us out for us to step up and to be better for our teammates.”

“I hope everybody got the message, you know what I’m saying?” said Bass. “And just as individuals come out and give maximum effort. And that way we look good as a group.

In my view, whether purposeful or not, Wallace has masterfully positioned himself as the emotional leader of the team. We can only hope the team takes on his personality and work ethic.

I would say that until Rondo gets back, Gerald Wallace is probably the co-leader along with the first guy that you quoted.

Rondo is famous for playing much harder in big and high profile games than in humdrum regular season games.

As was Larry Bird.  I'm not sure of the relevance of your comment, though.

As are most players, actually. I don't know if anyone can really knock on a guy for playing harder when the game is more important.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Ooops. Double posted. Sorry.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I wouldn't really mind calling this as Crash's team.

He may have regressed but he's all effort. He plays hard every night, tries to win every time. He may not be the most talented but I want my franchise to be led by a guy like him. His effort can rub teammates the right way. Also vocal about the things that needs to be done but not disrespectful in doing so. And most of all, leading by example.

If this team will have the same identity as his, which is tough, gritty, hard nosed and all effort (but not the bad shooter part), we'll be fine. He doesnt have to be the best player, but I want him to be one of the leaders and personally okay calling him the face of the franchise.

[sed522002]

It's still very much Rondo's team. He's being wise right now by not saying anything about their game play. He knows that he's not out there playing right now so it would be crazy for him to call out his teammates for effort. There's only so much you can do and say while sidelined on the bench.

[PhoSita]

Yes, it is.  That kind of tells you what you need to know about the state of the team at the moment.


I don't agree that it's Rondo's team now.  First and foremost, Rondo isn't playing with the guys out on the floor, and training camp / beginning of the season is the key time for the leaders on the team to step up and for the team identity to be forged.  Wallace knows that, which is why he's speaking up now instead of a month into the season when the team is languishing at 2-15.  Second, from what I've read about Rondo, he's more of a "lead by example type" who is a control freak when he's out on the floor.  Probably the most his teammates hear from him is when he's on the floor or in timeout huddles telling them where to go.  That means Rondo is in command of the team's offense, and now probably the defense as well, but it doesn't mean this is "his" team or that he's the leader of the team the way Garnett was.

The team is probably better for it.  Wallace is similar to Garnett in the way he approaches the game.  It's not in him to take games or even individual plays off.  He demands full effort all the time, from himself and from his teammates.  That is a really good quality, and probably a major part of why Ainge was willing to take on his contract.

[86MaxwellSmart]

This thread makes me Sad.

[sed522002]

Right now I feel like it's laughable to say that it's "Wallace's team". I just feel like he's giving a needed veteran voice right now because we have some that are sidelined (Rondo, Bogans). When KG was injured you didn't hear about him being vocal because he wasn't playing..that's not his style to tell someone what to do when he's not doing it himself. I think that's the best approach.

Wallace is out there playing and I think the message would be better received from him, than from someone on the bench.

Sidenote: here's a good article about KG's leadership in BKN. He knows when to be vocal and when to be in the shadows. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303672404579152002912424482

[CelticG1]

This thread makes me Sad.

Ha yeah. The thread title is funny in a very sad way.

[pearljammer10]

Always loved Wallace. His short time in Boston has backed that up thus far.