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Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 9:58 am
by Cyclical
http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketba ... his_court/...the pitch about Celtics history: “Oh yes, we heard about that,” said Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland. “He’s well-aware of that. He (played at) North Carolina, so that kind of thing matters to him.”
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“One thing I liked that Danny (Ainge, executive director of basketball operations) said (Thursday) is that if they sign Rasheed, that won’t stop him from adding further to the team, because they are committed to winning,” Strickland said.
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money is unlikely to be the issue... Neither will contract length. Wallace doesn’t plan to play much longer... “He could retire right now and be happy,” Strickland said. “But that’s something we’ve already dealt with. He said, ‘I want to play more and go for another ring.’ ”
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“That’s one of the criteria,” Strickland said. “I had to call people from other teams (Thursday) to say thanks, but no, because they didn’t offer the same chance.
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Though teams were under the impression Wallace would take his time with the decision, Strickland said yesterday the choice will be made once the interviews are completed.
And, according to Strickland, the Celtics left a great impression.
“I think it was important for one of the owners to be there,” Strickland said of C’s co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, who joined the Big Three, Ainge and coach Doc Rivers at Thursday’s meeting. “Sheed and his wife (Fatima) thought that was a very classy thing to do.
“Sheed obviously has a great relationship with KG, and he also has come to know Paul and Ray over the years. They did a very thorough job - a nice presentation. Rasheed and his wife got to sit back and take things in. I think it went very well.
“Give Danny and Boston credit. They called me about setting up a meeting at midnight (after Tuesday’s deadline), but Rasheed didn’t want that. But I think they showed us how serious they are.”
Looking good.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 10:18 am
by Fencer reregistered
Are similar articles appearing in Orlando or San Antonio papers?
Anyhow, it sounds like he wants full MLE money, a lot of flattery, and a good chance to win a championship. If those are the criteria, Boston is in good shape.
And it sounds like the Big 3 gave him the pitch "A championship in Boston is even better than one elsewhere." Well, 1 or 2 of them. KG doesn't seem to feel that way; he just badly, badly, badly wanted a ring.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 11:12 am
by Dave_From_NB
I'm sure the 80 cents that Orlando spent on a phone call to his agent wowed the pants off him...
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 11:20 am
by Jammer
Bill Strickland just did the politically correct thing to do,
since Rasheed met for 3 hours with Wyc Grousbeck, Danny, Doc, KG, Ray and Paul.
If the Celtics really had a chance Rasheed would not have scheduled visits with
San Antonio and Orlando.
Normally, if you're scheduling 3 visits,
you save the best for last.
Wyc, Danny, Doc, KG, Ray and Paul WENT to see RASHEED in DETROIT.
Rasheed is scheduled to VISIT ORLANDO and SAN ANTONIO.
See the problem.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 11:21 am
by Celtics>Breathing
Fencer reregistered wrote:Are similar articles appearing in Orlando or San Antonio papers?Anyhow, it sounds like he wants full MLE money, a lot of flattery, and a good chance to win a championship. If those are the criteria, Boston is in good shape.
And it sounds like the Big 3 gave him the pitch "A championship in Boston is even better than one elsewhere." Well, 1 or 2 of them. KG doesn't seem to feel that way; he just badly, badly, badly wanted a ring.
That's funny! I was thinking the samething. Man this sounds awesome. Bring in Sheed baby!!!
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 11:57 am
by Frank Lucas
I'm with Jammer on this one, I think Jammer read my thread from yesterday. If Sheed was going to sign with the Cs he would have done so. The fact that the Cs had to fly to him is a big thing because even though he has played in Boston Sheed has never really BEEN to Boston. He's going to SA where I'm sure they will take him to the River Walk and take him to the best Tex-Mex spot in town. Orlando will be more about family and saving. The will take his wife to see houses right next to Shaqs, Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake. They will take his takes to Disney where I'm sure they will roll out the red carpet. But at the end of the day Money talks and I think Orlando can offer him more money. All three teams can offer him a chance at the chip. I think if he goes to SA they would have a great chance of making it to the finals because they really only have to get pass the Lakers. Boston and Orlando will have a harder time because the East is deep right now.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:11 pm
by Darth Celtic
you all go on the "worst case" of the article that he won't sign here, and not the, "we won't stop with u making the team better". That is what i noticed, sign here and i promise we will steal some more players.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:29 pm
by Kefa461
The part that concerns me is the team made a fair offer, went to great measures to show he and his services were wanted. There is not much more they could have done minus a parade. Nothing more to do but wait and move on to other backup plans. I can't bitch at Danny and Co.
ps....a good guess......his wife is gonna make this call.....
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:33 pm
by Super_Mario_3
fwiw,
portland rolled out the red carpet for hedo. nate mcmillan went to orlando to talk to him.
then with one call to his agent, he commits to toronto.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:36 pm
by Frank Lucas
Darth Celtic wrote:you all go on the "worst case" of the article that he won't sign here, and not the, "we won't stop with u making the team better". That is what i noticed, sign here and i promise we will steal some more players.
I think if the Cs was going to be the last team he visited I would be like great he is saving the best for last. Even his agent said when he told him that Danny wanted to come see him, Sheed didn't want it. Now maybe Sheed was scared that Danny, Doc, KG, Paul and Ray would change his mind and he would end up coming to Boston. But from what I've heard about Sheed is that the dude goes by the beat of his own drummer so we shall see. I know Doc is working on plan B.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:39 pm
by Frank Lucas
dwighty111 wrote:fwiw,
portland rolled out the red carpet for hedo. nate mcmillan went to orlando to talk to him.
then with one call to his agent, he commits to toronto.
Yup and they said Hedo wife feel in love with Toronto. Take it from a man whose been married for a few years. If the wife and kids are happy. you will be happy. Sheed didn't come to Boston. He wife didn't go on Newbury street. I'm sure Orlando will make sure Mrs. Wallace and the boys will be on his next trip. They will give him the Disney treatment.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:39 pm
by canman1971
Frank Lucas wrote:Darth Celtic wrote:you all go on the "worst case" of the article that he won't sign here, and not the, "we won't stop with u making the team better". That is what i noticed, sign here and i promise we will steal some more players.
I think if the Cs was going to be the last team he visited I would be like great he is saving the best for last. Even his agent said when he told him that Danny wanted to come see him, Sheed didn't want it. Now maybe Sheed was scared that Danny, Doc, KG, Paul and Ray would change his mind and he would end up coming to Boston. But from what I've heard about Sheed is that the dude goes by the beat of his own drummer so we shall see. I know Doc is working on plan B.
Well, I would say Ainge is working on plan B, C, and D. That is his job. Nothing is guaranteed in life, ie: Turk. So, perhaps, Wallace just wants to hear what EVERYONE says first, then he can sort out what is the best place for him. I really don't think that is unreasonable nor negative. I don't see how people can take it that way. People are just negative by nature I suppose. That is really unfortunate.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 12:58 pm
by BigHands
Well, this is just my 2 cents and I agree that the Celts need to make moves that acquire length and big man shooting.
But Wallace does not bring it every night and never has. I think his talk about being wary of the strong egos in the Boston locker room is code for "KG will demand that I give 100% all the time and I am pretty old to start doing that."
Contrary to Celtic legend, some players have done some coasting. Some nights I wondered where Dennis Johnson's defense went but it was always there in the playoffs.
Cedric Maxwell also took more than a few nights off during the season but at least he had the decency to play hard when the money was on the table.
It seems to me that Wallace can't even be counted on to always play hard in the playoffs. His laid back attitude and Billups hamstring were no small part of the 2008 title. And I can't remember the last time I saw him run the floor.
Like many fans I have considerable faith in Ainge's judgment, but Wallace has never been a player of whom I thought would look good in green.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 1:20 pm
by s1ickd
Hedo went to Toronto because he's a European and Portland isn't exactly a cultural hotspot.
The advantage that Orlando and San Antonio have are that Sheed would be a starter there.
Imagine a lineup of parker, ginobli, jefferson, Wallace, and Duncan..... are you kidding me? IMO, thats a lock to go all the way.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 1:25 pm
by Al-Haqq
We're clearly showing a stronger interest than other teams and in the end that could be the difference.
Plus, like the article stated, with a healthy team, we have a great chance at the ring.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 1:50 pm
by Jammer
Kefa461 wrote:The part that concerns me is the team made a fair offer, went to great measures to show he and his services were wanted. There is not much more they could have done minus a parade. Nothing more to do but wait and move on to other backup plans. I can't bitch at Danny and Co.
ps....a good guess......his wife is gonna make this call.....
Bingo. Disneyworld. Here they come. Sheed and Superman. Superman Dwight Howard, that is.
Vince Carter will probably factor into the recruiting, and Rashard as well. They are younger.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 2:03 pm
by Lewis35
Jammer wrote:Kefa461 wrote:The part that concerns me is the team made a fair offer, went to great measures to show he and his services were wanted. There is not much more they could have done minus a parade. Nothing more to do but wait and move on to other backup plans. I can't bitch at Danny and Co.
ps....a good guess......his wife is gonna make this call.....
Bingo. Disneyworld. Here they come. Sheed and Superman. Superman Dwight Howard, that is.
Vince Carter will probably factor into the recruiting, and Rashard as well. They are younger.
Does it matter if they are younger? It is not like Sheed is going to be playing another 5 years. Also it took the magic 7 games to beat the celtics without KG. Lastly many people believe that the magic are a worse team than last year after the trade and loss of Hedo.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 2:38 pm
by the sea duck
Saving the best team for last? Maybe Boston would have been his last visit, but they didn't give him that chance. They went to him.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 2:52 pm
by TheOGJabroni
the sea duck wrote:Saving the best team for last? Maybe Boston would have been his last visit, but they didn't give him that chance. They went to him.
My thoughts exactly.
Let's stay positive until he makes his decision. I was really glad to see this article when it was originally posted, now after reading these posts it got me to thinking negatively as well. This is stupid. It was a positive article about Sheed coming to Boston. Let's leave it at that, then we can bitch and moan if he doesn't sign here.
Re: Rasheed's Agent Speaks. Sounding Very Positive.
Posted: Sat Jul 4, 2009 3:20 pm
by Jammer
Look, I'm one who thinks the Magic are a lot worse off.
They gave up am excellent backup point guard,
who overachieved during Jameer Nelson's injury,
as well as the very effective Courtney Lee,
to get Vince Carter and his atrocious contract.
The only good thing from that trade is Orlando unloaded Tony Battie's ugly contract.
New Jersey must be licking their chops.
But when you let Hedo walk,
and Gortat, too; potentially, Rasheed can't make up for the loss of Hedo and Gortat.
That team is worse off, no matter how you cut it.
If Rasheed forgets about the allure of a starting job and warm weather,
and just thinks where his best chance to win a championship is,
Boston is better because even if Rasheed goes to Orlando,
Orlando will have no bench left other than
J. J. Redick and Mickael Pietrus, and Redick is supposedly available
(offered him to New Jersey but the Nets wanted Courtney Lee instead).