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This article appeared earlier today... before the Nash / Donnie meeting

Dallas Is Exactly The Kind Of Environment Where 'Sheed Can Succeed
Ian B. FordBasketball News Services

More likely than not, Rasheed Wallace has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Though the trade may not be announced until sometime after Saturday night's game between Portland and Dallas, all the signs are there indicating that Rasheed has finally worn out his welcome in the Rose City. Whether or not the deal goes through, the very thought of adding a player as talented and volatile as Wallace to the Mavericks' already potent roster begs the question; would Rasheed even make a difference in Dallas?

On the surface, the Mavs potential acquisition of the oft-troubled former Tar Heel reeks of desperation. After a summer of wheeling and dealing, Dallas Head Coach Don Nelson still doesn't have the low post presence he so understandably covets. Critics will remind anyone within earshot that Rasheed isn't exactly a classic big man. In fact, upon further review, he almost looks tailor-made for Nelson and his wide-open offense. Again, that doesn't exactly solve the Mavs' lack of an interior presence, but it hardly sucks either.

Before everybody starts dismissing this move as nothing more than a brief rental of a talented headcase (Wallace is a free-agent upon the conclusion of this season), the Mavericks would actually come out looking much improved with the addition of the 6'11" forward. Assuming Dallas is giving up reserve forward Antawn Jamison (as part of some type of package), they will be adding a starter in exchange for a sub. (That would be the first sign that this is a good move for Dallas. It's not quite getting something for nothing, but it's close.)

With Steve Nash at the point (once his hip feels better), Michael Finley at the two, Antoine Walker at small forward, Dirk Nowitzki at power forward and Rasheed at center, the Mavericks are a much better team than the one that is currently third in the Midwest Division and still looking to regain whatever magic it was that carried them all the way to last year's Western Conference Finals. (His name is Nick Van Exel, by the way. He can be found in Oakland.)

The main knock against the Mavs is their doughnut-like interior game. Shawn Bradley doesn't exactly instill much fear in opponents, while Danny Fortson inspires the wrong kind of fear altogether. With Wallace manning the middle, the Mavs would have themselves an athletic shot-blocker that has the ability to guard all three front-court positions effectively. (Jamison is a classic matador on defense. Actually, that's unfair to matadors.) Rasheed tends to try and bait his man into taking a shot that he thinks he can reject, but that's not always such a bad thing. At least he's aggressive on defense, which is one thing that can't always be said about his offense.

In order to fit in with the Mavs, Rasheed Wallace is simply going to have to relax and play exactly the type of game that suits him best. With the presence of so many talented players, all 'Sheed has to do is post up to draw the defense, then either create a high-percentage shot for himself or find an open teammate. With shooters like Nash, Walker and Finley patrolling the perimeter, it wouldn't be too surprising to see Rasheed averaging crazy assist for a man his size. He's not exactly selfish, so convincing him to give up the rock won't be an issue. (Convincing him to stay in the paint may be.)

Then again, maybe not having to be "the man" will re-energize Rasheed. (Lord knows nothing he's doing in Portland seems to be working.) There was a time he was among the most dependable personalities in the game. Now he's hardly even in the news anymore, save for those ridiculous comments about feeling "exploited" by the man...er, the NBA earlier this season. (That was a low point, even for 'Sheed.) Perhaps being surrounded by studs will remind him of his days at North Carolina. Back then Rasheed would routinely blow up for 20 and 10, usually off of a variety of silky moves and money jumpers. If he played his way into becoming a lottery pick in the 1995 NBA Draft (one spot ahead of some guy named Kevin Garnett) while balling with cats like Jerry Stackhouse and Dante Calabria, just imagine how comfortable he would be with Dirk, Ringo, 'Toine and Finley as his teammates. It's downright horrifying, particularly for the rest of the league.

Rasheed Wallace and the Dallas Mavericks might not seem like a match made in heaven, but looks can be deceiving. He might not be a "true" center, but, other than Shaquille O'Neal, how many of those are there left in the NBA anyway? Other than his off-court issues (and there are more than a few), adding Wallace to the Dallas puzzle is not as risky a move as some would say. Sure, dude might go off on some poor ref (perfectly nderstandable) and wind up suspended for the rest of the year, but what are the odds of that? (On second thought, don't bother answering that.)