httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR8e35c6ebc
I’m sure at this point everyone has seen the following:
In response (despite a small but passionate group of writers against the movement) the Paroxysm crew has decided to dedicate a entire week to unnecessary technical fouls, astounding talent, exuberant personality, incredible trick shots, and everything else that makes Rasheed Wallace ‘Sheed. We aren’t here to discuss whether or not ‘Sheed will come back, or even if it’s a good idea (because of course it is). We are here to celebrate and revel in everything ‘Sheed; both the delightful and the excruciatingly aggravating. To pick apart at the duality of a man who inspires both cult-esque devotion and refined resentment.
To those of us who love him ‘Sheed always kept things loose, allowed us to laugh in a world that often took itself far too seriously. ‘Sheed reminded us that basketball was supposed to be fun, and always found a way to enjoy himself. He’s provided more quotable lines than any other player in league history, and is the centerpiece of the greatest pre game warmup routine of all time. Despite a lot of criticism, ‘Sheed spent a lot of his time doing the less glamorous things that often helped a team win. At his peak he was one of the greatest low post defenders ever and his turn around fade away over the “wrong” shoulder was completely unguardable. To some ‘Sheed was selfish in word and spirit, but his play was anything but. He never demanded the offense be run through him, and didn’t need to be seen as the “star” in order to be fulfilled.
In contrast, to many ‘Sheed stands as a malcontent, a waste of talent, “what’s wrong with the NBA” personified. He racked up technical fouls, was often out of shape, and was infamous for failing to show up to weight lifting or workout sessions. For many Rasheed Wallace was a failure. He had the talent of Duncan and Garnett but lacked Garnett’s intensity, or Duncan’s poise. He was blamed for the most of Portland’s failures and was quickly labeled as a “cancer”. His bravado and brazenness turned off many, as did his temper. For many there was no need for ‘Sheed, only a simple wish that he’d shut up and focus on being a better basketball player.
The beauty is that neither of these views is “correct” or more justifiable. They are both based on the same facts, the same traits, the same ‘Sheed. That’s what makes this compelling, it’s also what makes it fun. This is the culmination of a career inextricably linked to our basketball worldview. This is laughing and marveling at a man who shoots left handed threes in an all star game. This is “both teams played hard”. This is getting ejected without saying a word. This is “felonious”. This is “ball don’t lie” becoming a cultural phenomenon. This is fun and frustration epitomized. This is ‘Sheed Week.
