Need for 'Sheed

Everyone has an opinion on Rasheed Wallace, some good and some bad. That is probably the most accurate assumption of Rasheed Wallace you're ever likely to come across. Rasheed can be seen as a pioneer of the I-don't-give-a-f*ck-what-you-or-your-friends-think attitude or as a enigmatic ball of potential all wrapped up in North Philly packaging that was never fully realised. But no matter what anyone thinks or doesn't think that Rasheed is, they know that when he is on his game you and your friends are in trouble. 'Sheed is a free agent this coming off-season and at 34 may have to consider hanging the trademark Air Force One's up.

After a decorated two years at North Carolina, Rasheed began his pro career with the Washington Bullets he was the 4th overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft. He had a solid rookie campaign and was selected to the All-Rookie first team. He had averages of 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks while playing in 27.5 minutes per game in 65 games. After his rookie season he was traded to Portland Trailblazers (for Rod Strickland) where he spent the next 8 years of his career. 'Sheed earned an extended contract due to his play in his first years in Portland and seemed to be thriving. The Rasheed we have all become accustomed to emerged in the 1999-2000 season where he received an NBA record 38 technical fouls and the following season topped that mark with 40. Rasheed and the Blazers made it to two consecutive Western Conference Finals in 1999 and 2000 losing both to the Spurs and the Lakers respectively.

Wallace was named an All-Star in 2000 and 2001 after setting then career-highs in points and rebounds in both seasons. Rasheed was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in February of 2004 and played only one game before being involved in a three-way deal which sent him to the Detroit Pistons. Rasheed was an instrumental part of the Piston's dominance during the late 2000's and the NBA championship the Piston's won in 2005 after defeating the heavily favoured Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games. Rasheed and his Pistons were seen as one of the toughest teams in League every season as they made to six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. Both Rasheed and the team have taken criticism for being complacent during games and not always "showing-up" to play, this is evidenced through the Pistons only being able to win one Championship during their years of dominance.

Throughout his career Rasheed has often been labelled as "potentially" the best player in the NBA, due to his size and incredible skill set. Rasheed has also been accused of not always playing with maximum effort and intensity and these accusations have only increased as 'Sheed's career has went on, due to his appeared lack of discipline and the increasing amount of games in which it seems as though he is not interested in being on the floor. The people who believe Rasheed's potential was wasted have only multiplied as his career winds down in a wash of technical fouls and sub-par performances.

There will certainly be teams that are interested in Rasheed's services and will be willing to pay an amount above the mid-level exception to get him. But will Rasheed be willing to play above the level he has seemed to have plateaued at these last several seasons and provide a decent level of help to a team who needs a boost at the Power Forward position. Will he put in a satisfactory level of effort and enthusiasm every game? That is something I'm not sure even Rasheed can truthfully answer. Rasheed still has the ability and the tools to be an effective players for seasons to come, but with all the history and baggage associated with Rasheed Wallace the question remains. Does any NBA team really have a need for 'Sheed?