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| Tuesday, August 21 Users: Rasheed has talent, needs help ESPN.com |
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We received arguably more mail in the first 24 hours on the Blazers than any other team so far in our Spotlight Series. Portland has lots of talent, the general theme went from the thousands of comments, but we also got the feeling most people don't believe Rasheed Wallace can change his temper and lead the team to a title.
In discussing the Summer Spotlight on the Blazers, we posed this question: Can Rasheed Wallace take the next step in his maturation individually and lead this team out of the West? Here are some of your responses:
Your Blazers Feedback No way can the volatile Rasheed Wallace lead the Blazers out of the West. The Blazer management better sign and trade him by next season and look for a center to replace the aged Arvydas Sabonis. If Sabonis does play this year, it will be his last. And yes, a team can have too much talent. Players that are used to being starters, aren't happy in backup roles. The Blazers need quality, not quantity. Too many cooks have spoiled the pot. I wish them luck, but I don't see a championship with this team.
Dan Tyler
Can Rasheed grow up, you mean? Sure. Will he? That's the real question, because we have yet to see a real desire on his part to change. It bothers me to see his lackadaisical attitude about getting thrown out of games, or of losing games. He just doesn't seem to care, or to think that he even has a problem. He won't change until he does. My hopes for this team, aside from Rasheed growing up, are: (1) That Shawn Kemp returns to Reign Man form. If he does, can you imagine Kemp at PF and Wallace at SF on occasion? Or Kemp playing so well that coach Cheeks can sit Rasheed whenever he acts up? (2) That coach Cheeks will settle on a starting five, preferably of Dale Davis at center (I don't think Sabonis will return), Rasheed at PF, Ruben Patterson at SF, Derek Anderson at SG, and Damon Stoudamire at PG. Emotionally fragile players like the Blazers don't do well when they have to worry about their jobs. The continuity of a regular starting five would help them all find their games faster, too.
Keith Cook
Can Rasheed take this team to the next step? The 2001-2002 season will find Portland to be the most feared team in the league. Critics today will become fans tomorrow. Portland's success does not rely on how they contain Shaq, or slow down Kobe, it relies on whether or not Kemp will return to form and how well Damon runs the offense. I believe Portland will come out of the West. However, all credit will not be on Rasheed's maturity, but rather Kemp's return as Reign Man, Damon's resurgence, Cheek's inspirations, and Pippen's leadership.
RJ
Players like Rasheed Wallace (and Isaiah Rider) have unquestionable talent, but they lack the capacity to "lead" a group of players. Rasheed needs one or two other big names (Gary Payton...?) to share some of the spotlight that shines so brightly upon him. Portland has surrounded him with too many other high-profile players who do not demonstrate the leadership and support. The organization is looking to the coaches for answers. Perhaps they should consider sacrificing some talent for players who are interested in one thing: winning.
David Bloom
I don't think Rasheed will mature. Rasheed doesn't think he's got a problem and until he starts to question his actions on the court, all the pleading with him and coaching changes won't make a difference. Rasheed believes he's just intense and that if he somehow limits his outbursts, it would confine his game. He also feels he gets a bad rap from officials (true, but act like a child, get treated like one). The worst thing about Rasheed, is that he's immensely talented and the Blazers don't have the option of disciplining him. He'll continue to be a headache because he can be. A headcase Rasheed is better than no Rasheed, but unfortunately for the Blazers, it will never be enough to win a title.
Greg
This is not going to happen until coach Cheeks sits him out of some games for his behavior. I am talking a contract for each offense he commits. A one game suspension is not going to send him a message. He is destroying his team's chances to win. I would get rid of him eventually. He is a cancer. It's funny, but he didn't act like this for PJ Carlesimo or Dean Smith. It is the coach who has to take care of him.
Bob Belan
Perhaps it's better to put the question thusly: "Can Rasheed Wallace take the FIRST step in his maturation...?" The choice is his, as it always has been. It is up to 'Sheed whether or not he's going to drop the WWF antics and become the most valuable player on his talented team, the indispensable ingredient in this motley assemblage of top basketball talent. My guess is that he won't -- at least, not anytime soon. He seemed perfectly disinterested in the good efforts of people who tried to turn his gladiator energy -- a good thing -- in a proper on-court direction last season, and I cannot imagine it changing in 2001-02. He personifies the axiom: Be sparing with advice; wise men don't need it, and fools won't heed it. Fool Rasheed won't advance to the second round with his team next May, either.
Whitley
The Blazers are very talented, but Dunleavy lost control of a bunch of egotistical, arrogant brats who felt they deserved playing time because they used to be great. I think it is amazing that they almost beat LA the year before despite this attitude. They should have beat LA! I think a new coach may be able to reign them in a bit, but Rasheed, Dale, and the bunch are people of poor character. I'm so glad they picked up Ruben! Not! This team is talented enough to give LA a run, but they don't have the heart or the character to get it done. Too bad because I really like this franchise, but I don't like this particular team. Oh, where is Clyde and the gang? I miss ya.
Jay
I used to live in Portland, and I am a faithful Blazer fan! It is true that the Blazers have a ton of talent, but it doesn't do much if the whole team doesn't click. The first problem with the Blazers right now is there is no threat at the center position. Yes, Sabonis plays Shaq the best when healthy, but after that game he's out for the next four games cause his foot hurts. The Blazers need to trade some of that talent away for a dominant center that can work hand in hand with Rasheed Wallace. The Blazers have the best one-two punch in the backcourt now with Stoudamire and Anderson with Bonzi off the bench. Getting a center is the key to their success in the future.
Jason
I had great expectations of the Blazers for the past two seasons, only to be bitterly disappointed. I cannot fathom Rasheed Wallace and I have certainly tried. The solution is simple. If Rasheed returns with the same attitude on the court, the Blazers can expect an early exit from the playoffs. If by some stroke of magic Rasheed understands and accepts his sole purpose for being on the court, they will earn the fear of opponents. With all the championship rings that Scottie Pippen has, I had great expectation of him stamping his leadership on the court. Oh, I forgot, he didn't win a championship without MJ. Silly me!!
H Brown
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