Which Rasheed Wallace Will Boston Celtics Get

It was great news for the Boston Celtics when Rasheed Wallace decided to jump on board their quest for a second championship in three years. Wallace is no doubt a great talent however on the one hand you have an NBA player who collects technicals (the only player ever to get ejected from the McDonald's All American Game) as if they were tokens then on the other hand you have the power forward whose inspired play helped Detroit hoist the trophy in 2004. He was suspended 7 games in 2003 for threatening a referee on an arena loading dock after a home game. However in light of the fact that the referee was Tim Donahue, one could argue that this may have been justified.

When you count the greatest active power forwards - one could easily have read Tim Duncan, Garnet, Nowitski and Wallace, though the order may vary with opinion. His numbers were never overwhelming, career averages of 15.1ppg, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 asts and 1.3 blks. It is on the defensive end that he excels. Kevin Garnet and Tim Duncan have been quoted numerous times as saying that Wallace is the matchup they least relish.

However of late, whether this is down to Detroit's demise since the Championship, Wallace has decided to live and die with the three point shot. He put up 319 last year hitting 35% which is nothing to sneeze at however Boston has it share of three point shooters with the cream of the crop in the form of the Mighty Ray Allen, whose legendary show down with Ben Gordon in last season's playoff series was an instant classic.

It is great that your power forward can stretch the defence at times however Boston needs Wallace to play big. Bang in the post and execute that great help defence he is renowned for. On paper a partnership with Garnet is a match made in heaven. however one can only hope that emotionally they might feed off each other in a positive way.

Their main rivals the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavs have been very busy this off season. The Magic whose inspired play ended the Celtic's last season added potential hall of famer Vince Carter and The Cavaliers added Shaquille O'Neal whose journey to the Hall of Fame could easily be set in stone.

Wallace would probably not start for Boston however on a team whose weakness last season was up front, this should be a welcomed signing.