Why was Rasheed Wallace so overrated offensively?

[stalkerforlife]

I remember when he was playing, people would say things like, "If Rasheed was more aggressive, he'd be the best offensive player in the game." Where did that silly notion even come from? Sure, he had a high release point on his shot. However, he didn't possess a plethora of moves on the block. He was fairly predictable with his turn around jumper. He certainly didn't have a killer instinct offensively, as he mostly sat on the perimeter and shot threes.

Don't get me wrong, the dude was great defensively and a heck of a shooter. However, he simply never had the skills nor mentality to be a dominant scorer.

[DonDadda59]

However, he simply never had the skills nor mentality to be a dominant scorer.

He most certainly had the skills, you can debate the mentality, but most definitely not his skill level. Dude could do it all- he was dominant on the block in stretches (and he had more than just the turnaround), he had the mid range, had 3 point range, could drive, decent handles for a PF, and he was athletic. His basketball IQ was really high too.

He was maybe a bit too unselfish at times.

[stalkerforlife]

He most certainly had the skills, you can debate the mentality, but most definitely not his skill level. Dude could do it all- he was dominant on the block in stretches (and he had more than just the turnaround), he had the mid range, had 3 point range, could drive, decent handles for a PF, and he was athletic. His basketball IQ was really high too.

He was maybe a bit too unselfish at times.

That's exactly what i'm saying. No offense to you, but I remember this same BS being said over and over again during his career.

I never saw that "skill."

[rlsmooth775]

I know it reminds me of kobe being called a clutch player

[dubeta]

I know it reminds me of kobe being called a clutch player

:roll: :applause:



6-24BE

[Smoke117]

I remember when he was playing, people would say things like, "If Rasheed was more aggressive, he'd be the best offensive player in the game." Where did that silly notion even come from? Sure, he had a high release point on his shot. However, he didn't possess a plethora of moves on the block. He was fairly predictable with his turn around jumper. He certainly didn't have a killer instinct offensively, as he mostly sat on the perimeter and shot threes.

Don't get me wrong, the dude was great defensively and a heck of a shooter. However, he simply never had the skills nor mentality to be a dominant scorer.


You mean a turn around jumper that was impossible to stop? Kevin Garnett made a career out of a turn around jumper and his wasn't close to as smooth and natural as Sheeds. That wasn't his only move, but it was the best go to move of any big man during the era besides Shaq just muscling and backing you down and dunking it. (lol) He just never possessed the selfish entitlement to shoot a lot like Chris Webber who he was easily more skilled then as a scorer. You want to talk about someone overrated offensively...talk about Webber. He had no business taking as many shots as he did. Same goes for Walker...anyone can score a lot if they have an inflated opinion of themselves. Sheed was a guy who should have been more selfish because he was so unstoppable when he actually wanted the ball on the block.

[stalkerforlife]

You mean a turn around jumper that was impossible to stop? Kevin Garnett made a career out of a turn around jumper and his wasn't close to as smooth and natural as Sheeds. That wasn't his only move, but it was the best go to move of any big man during the era besides Shaq just muscling and backing you down and dunking it. (lol) He just never possessed the selfish entitlement to shoot a lot like Chris Webber who he was easily more skilled then as a scorer. You want to talk about someone overrated offensively...talk about Webber. He had no business taking as many shots as he did. Same goes for Walker...anyone can score a lot if they have an inflated opinion of themselves. Sheed was a guy who should have been more selfish because he was so unstoppable when he actually wanted the ball on the block.

Once again, look at the comment. "Impossible to stop." :biggums: Then why was his ass stopped so much?

[JohnFreeman]

Is he overrated though?

[CelticBalla32]

Sheed had the ability to drop 20 a night, but he didn't have that mentality. He was still a great player but it is a shame he didn't maximize his individual potential. He could score in the post off either shoulder, could body up and back down, had the jumper, really good driving off a face up, big time pick n' roll/pop threat, was a very underrated athlete.

He had the skills, he just didn't want to be that dude.

[bizil]

He most certainly had the skills, you can debate the mentality, but most definitely not his skill level. Dude could do it all- he was dominant on the block in stretches (and he had more than just the turnaround), he had the mid range, had 3 point range, could drive, decent handles for a PF, and he was athletic. His basketball IQ was really high too.

He was maybe a bit too unselfish at times.

Damn right! Basically EVERY HALL OF FAMER was dominant at some aspect of the game. Not just very good, but DOMINANT. Even with Dennis Rodman he was a dominant rebounder and defender! Stockton was a dominant passer. Sheed as talented as he was, wasn't really DOMINANT at scoring, passing, or rebounding. Defensively he was very good and maybe u could make the case for dominant. But once again, he wasn't like an all time great dominant defender like his peers KG or Duncan. He was very good at everything though.

For example, he was better than Dirk in the all around sense. Hell in the all around sense, Sheed is arguably a top 10-15 PF of all time. But Dirk was CLEARLY the better player because Dirk was more DOMINANT. Dirk was among the most dominant scorers of all time period! So that trumps Sheed's superior all around game.

Sheed may be the definition of a player that was indeed to unselfish. He clearly had HOF level talent because u saw how he played against the best of his era. And the his effect on championship squads. But I think if Sheed could have had at least KG's mentality in terms of scoring (an alpha dog level PF but not quite an alpha like a Barkley, Dirk, Malone, Hayes, Petitt) he would be stamping a ticket to Springfield. And I feel he could have gotten more than one ring too! For example, if u put KG, Duncan, or Dirk on those Detroit teams in place of Sheed, I think they get two rings at least instead of one.

Or even back in the Portland days, they would have gotten at least one or two rings. Portland and Detroit could have used a more dominant Sheed to put them over the top. As good as Steve Smith, Rip, and Billups were, it's clear to me that Sheed SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE DOMINANT ALPHA DOG on those teams! But on the flip side, I applaud Sheed for being a great team player and playing in the flow on those talented teams. But even on deep ass teams, U have the guys like Bird, Duncan, Magic, Kareem, Dr. J, Moses, etc. step up when its time to dominate!

[bizil]

Sheed had the ability to drop 20 a night, but he didn't have that mentality. He was still a great player but it is a shame he didn't maximize his individual potential. He could score in the post off either shoulder, could body up and back down, had the jumper, really good driving off a face up, big time pick n' roll/pop threat, was a very underrated athlete.

He had the skills, he just didn't want to be that dude.

Pretty much! Sheed had the numbers and talent of a multiple time All Star. But it always seemed like Sheed left something on the table in terms of what he could really do. This wasn't like a Bosh situation where he was getting 24 points and 10-11 boards. Then later went to Miami and became a third option behind two legendary players. Sheed was on teams where he shouldn't have taken a backseat to ANYBODY! None of those teams in Portland or Detroit had players that dicated Sheed being as unselfish as he was. He was TOO UNSELFISH on those teams! On some teams, it's ok. But not on those teams! I think Sheed should have at least 2-3 rings instead of only one. He had the talent to be on the level of KG, Duncan, and Dirk.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Frankly, Sheed would have three rings if his team doesn't choke a 15 point lead in the 4th to the Lakers (or if the game is called fairly) and if he doesn't double against the Spurs, leaving Horry open. You could literally switch one bad play in the 4th quarter of each of those games to a positive result and both of his teams are winning a championship. It was that close.

Considering he was one of the best and most important players on all those teams, I think he did fine. Could he have been a hall of famer? Probably. But who knows what changes if you change his mindset. You have to think there was plenty of benefits to his unselfishness. For one, seems like everyone who played with him loves him. It's not like he lacked a motor as he was a pretty ridiculous defender. One of the best in the NBA during his prime, imo. Being more selfish probably helps in Portland. Not sure it does in Detroit, assuming he still ends up there in the same situation.

tl;dr: He did alright.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FQwdZaF6--/18kx8w1x0ehtigif.gif

[Smoke117]

It's criminal that he was never even on an all defensive team. Even in 07 when Ben left and they barely skipped a beat defensively...he still got no love. They were even putting Tayshaun Prince on the 2nd team over him which is just baffling...

[Reggie43]

Frankly, Sheed would have three rings if his team doesn't choke a 15 point lead in the 4th to the Lakers (or if the game is called fairly) and if he doesn't double against the Spurs, leaving Horry open. You could literally switch one bad play in the 4th quarter of each of those games to a positive result and both of his teams are winning a championship. It was that close.

Considering he was one of the best and most important players on all those teams, I think he did fine. Could he have been a hall of famer? Probably. But who knows what changes if you change his mindset. You have to think there was plenty of benefits to his unselfishness. For one, seems like everyone who played with him loves him. It's not like he lacked a motor as he was a pretty ridiculous defender. One of the best in the NBA during his prime, imo. Being more selfish probably helps in Portland. Not sure it does in Detroit, assuming he still ends up there in the same situation.

tl;dr: He did alright.

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FQwdZaF6--/18kx8w1x0ehtigif.gif

Nice post!

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

:roll: :applause:



6-24BE
Better than Le2-18 Ja10TOs

[KNOW1EDGE]

I grew up on Rasheed Wallace and Damon Stoudamire. I probably watched damn near every game Sheed played in as a Blazer and i think he deserves to make the hall of fame.

He didn't want to be "the guy" for the Blazers. He was unselfish to a fault. He was a hot head.

But he could post up and turn around fade splash a jumper everytime down the court. Shoot it from 3 at a solid clip. Very athletic, loved watching him catch ally oops and **** it back. He had great handles for a guy his size. He played hard. He played with passion. He could get in the paint and finish. He was strong, although he had that MONEY turn around jumper he could back dudes down. I loved watching him play he is one of the GOAT PFs in my opinion and I'm glad he got a ring.

[wally_world]

He was quite a beast when motivated, esp on that Portland team. I remember no one on the Lakers could stop him, basically scored everytime the ball got onto his hands. That was his offensive peak imo.

[fourkicks44]

Is he overrated though?

Exactly.

Streaky, confidence. These words come to mind. But overrated is not how i would describe his offensive game.

[chocolatethunder]

Why can't people accept him for what he was? Sheed was one of the best complimentary players to play the game. He picked his spots because he was smart which I guess made some people think that he should have averaged this many points or rebounds or whatever but that's not what he was. It wasn't because he wasn't motivated or didn't have a killer instinct it was because he knew what he was and played within himself. He was exactly the player he was supposed to be nothing more nothing less. He was a very smart player whose biggest weakness was his temper. He wasn't the best at anything and didn't deserve any more or less shots than he took. He took the shots he took because they were good shots. People need to just appreciate him for what he was and not try and mold him into something that they wished he was but he could never have been.

[Kblaze8855]

Ive seen Rasheed Wallace make two 3s at once by throwing a ball with each hand...but one much higher than the other. And he did it on the first try. He was rather skilled...

He had the fadeaway from range, turnaround in the post, hooks with both hands, a drop step he brought out now and then, 3 point range, and he could finish lobs and dumpoffs as well as anyone. In his prime he was going to the rafters for one hand lobs like Blake.

He didnt have a desire to score. he didnt lack any particular skill.

He just didnt have the drive to score.

[boozehound]

You mean a turn around jumper that was impossible to stop? Kevin Garnett made a career out of a turn around jumper and his wasn't close to as smooth and natural as Sheeds. That wasn't his only move, but it was the best go to move of any big man during the era besides Shaq just muscling and backing you down and dunking it. (lol) He just never possessed the selfish entitlement to shoot a lot like Chris Webber who he was easily more skilled then as a scorer. You want to talk about someone overrated offensively...talk about Webber. He had no business taking as many shots as he did. Same goes for Walker...anyone can score a lot if they have an inflated opinion of themselves. Sheed was a guy who should have been more selfish because he was so unstoppable when he actually wanted the ball on the block.
as much as I liked sheed, he was not as skilled on the post as weber. Sheed had more moves than OP gives him credit for, but he barely used them in his peak (or whatever we want to call pistons sheed). mostly because the turnaround bunny was close to unguardable.

[DJ Leon Smith]

Once again, look at the comment. "Impossible to stop." :biggums: Then why was his ass stopped so much?

Who stopped him? Like everyone is saying here, he stopped himself because he didn't have a scorer's mentality. Not a good thing, not a bad thing, that's just how he was.

And who is overrating him? I hardly see his name mentioned, especially when it comes to offensive topics - it's more about his (sometimes misplaced) passion, run ins with refs, "Jail Blazers" etc.

[Hoopz2332]

I know it reminds me of kobe being called a clutch player

:oldlol:

[artificial]

How can you not get the need for sheed? The guy was as close to "can shoot from anywhere on the court" as anyone in his time. He could power himself to the post. He could drive to the basket as well as anyone 6'11''. He was strong and fairly athletic. And he had an extremely high basketball IQ.

As most have already pointed out, his attitude can be questioned, for scoring and for temper. But his skill? In a game or two he would show you that he could shoot wherever and however he chose to. Didn't the OP watch him in his prime?



Ive seen Rasheed Wallace make two 3s at once by throwing a ball with each hand...but one much higher than the other. And he did it on the first try. He was rather skilled...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n547vf8c1I#t=26s

Sheed is one of my favorite players of all time, and not only because of his game... Ball don't lie. Both teams played hard. Pre-game huddle Carlton dance. Christmas songs... Seriously, how can you not love that?

[L.Kizzle]

He's probably more skilled than Garnett he just like everyone has said maximize his talent. The PF version of Vince Carter.

[stalkerforlife]

Look at the way people are describing Wallace in this thread and you'll understand why I made it.

:facepalm

[stalkerforlife]

Who stopped him? Like everyone is saying here, he stopped himself because he didn't have a scorer's mentality. Not a good thing, not a bad thing, that's just how he was.

And who is overrating him? I hardly see his name mentioned, especially when it comes to offensive topics - it's more about his (sometimes misplaced) passion, run ins with refs, "Jail Blazers" etc.

:facepalm

[BoutPractice]

I modelled my turnaround J after him...

If you're a PF with reasonably long arms, he's a good player to emulate on both sides of the court (well, except for the technicals and the occasionally ill-advised 3, that will get you on the bench in no time).

[Rooster]

Ive seen Rasheed Wallace make two 3s at once by throwing a ball with each hand...but one much higher than the other. And he did it on the first try. He was rather skilled...

He had the fadeaway from range, turnaround in the post, hooks with both hands, a drop step he brought out now and then, 3 point range, and he could finish lobs and dumpoffs as well as anyone. In his prime he was going to the rafters for one hand lobs like Blake.

He didnt have a desire to score. he didnt lack any particular skill.

He just didnt have the drive to score.

I just don't think he has that superstar mindset. He has those aforementioned skills that he can score at will but he's very unselfish to a fault. Sometimes he's settling for 3s but he could have post up and do those turnarounds and fadeaways. Often times he also tend to lost his composure when calls does not go his way and just let his emotions get the best of him. I still remember how he missed those 2 huge free throws down the stretch against the Lakers. Sheed could have been better, his skills are undeniable but mentally, he just did not have it.

[selrahc]

I remember when he was playing, people would say things like, "If Rasheed was more aggressive, he'd be the best offensive player in the game." Where did that silly notion even come from? Sure, he had a high release point on his shot. However, he didn't possess a plethora of moves on the block. He was fairly predictable with his turn around jumper. He certainly didn't have a killer instinct offensively, as he mostly sat on the perimeter and shot threes.

Don't get me wrong, the dude was great defensively and a heck of a shooter. However, he simply never had the skills nor mentality to be a dominant scorer.

you obviously never watched prime rasheed wallace in portland. dude was a beast.

[Big#50]

He was lazy. Period. He liked the munchies too much.