December 11, 2003

Rasheed Wallace speaks his mind ...: and says the NBA is drafting young players out of high school because they are "dumb and dumber." Wallace also talks about his run-ins with the law and what he feels is his duty as a Portland Blazer. Does this give you any more insight to our dope-smoking friend, or is he still a knob?

posted by wfrazerjr to basketball at 09:00 AM - 10 comments

Interesting read, and I hope someone can find the full interview on The Oregonian, because I sure couldn't.

posted by wfrazerjr at 09:02 AM on December 11, 2003

Ugh. I got no real problem with Rasheed as long as he S'sTFU and plays basketball. I don't even begrudge the marijuana stuff, he can be a dumb motherfucker all he wants. But when guys making $17 mil a year start in on the "white establishment" "slave labor" bullshit, it makes me want to die by choking on my own bile.

posted by vito90 at 09:30 AM on December 11, 2003

I think Rasheed is trying to live up to being something he is not, which is a bad ass. Otherwise, I think he is a decent ballplayer and I admire some of his more admirable off-court charities and donations, which was mentioned in the article.

posted by jasonspaceman at 10:13 AM on December 11, 2003

Oregonian article.

posted by chules at 10:24 AM on December 11, 2003

Wow. I'll be interested to see other players' reaction to the beginning of that interview. Thanks for digging that up chules.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:44 AM on December 11, 2003

I taught in Portland for two years, and my paths crossed with a couple of the Blazers, and I had friends that were close with Rasheed. I didn't ever hang out with him, but I can tell you that he definitely sincere about doing charity work under the radar, and he gave a lot of money away. The disconnect is not between the players and the fans, it's between the organization and the fans. Say what you will, but on the court he is the hardest working Blazer. Randolph can only have the kind of offense he has because Rasheed does all the work on defense. Most Portland residents and fans still love Rasheed. I love Rasheed.

posted by djacobs at 10:53 AM on December 11, 2003

I still don't get Rasheed. Did anyone ever see the "Real SPorts" interview with him a year or two ago on HBO? He couldn't have been a nicer guy. It definitely seems like he's trying to act a part. But then you read stuff like this

Rasheed Wallace pulled Wells aside, said, "Watch this," then whipped a basketball 100 feet into teammate Ruben Boumtje Boumtje. As the guy writhed on the ground, Bonzi and Sheed "giggled like schoolchildren and ran away."
Not that I wouldn't laugh too. 100 feet? Guy's a natural.

posted by yerfatma at 11:40 AM on December 11, 2003

Thanks for finding the full piece, chules ... for my part, I think the guy's sincere about hoops and charities. He's just an idiot.

posted by wfrazerjr at 12:06 PM on December 11, 2003

After reading this piece I couldn't think help but think that a lot of people had the same reaction as ESPN' Ric Bucher, namely Who cares?

posted by aupa_athletic at 12:33 PM on December 11, 2003

Also, here's a little not-so-insider information for you. 80% of NBA players smoke weed. It's not just the Blazers.

posted by djacobs at 12:54 PM on December 11, 2003

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