I knew someone in high school who was moody like Rasheed Wallace. Let’s call this person “Harry.” I hung around Harry for a couple of years during high school and he was a cool friend to have since Harry was one of the few students that had their own car during high school. He was very talented and excelled in sports and the arts. You need someone to lean on, Harry was there for you. Harry had a unique physical trait in which he had a small patch of hair that was lighter in color from the rest of his head. One thing you have to understand about Harry is that he is very passionate at times. He could take things personally when things don’t go his way. Harry would throw these tantrums at times and we just left him alone to cool off before talking to him. Eventually, I moved away and lost contact with Harry. Fast forward years later, I remember watching some basketball highlights of Rasheed Wallace going bonkers when he was in Portland. Rasheed had the patch of hair discoloration very similar to Harry. I thought to myself, Rasheed Wallace is the “Harry” in the fantasy basketball world. Rasheed can do a lot of things well but he can go off the deep end at times.

Round 5 Pick 5: Rasheed Wallace, PF, Detroit Pistons

Let’s check out Rasheed’s numbers from the past couple of seasons:

’05-‘06 GP 80 – 15.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.6 bpg, 1.9 threes, 1.1 topg, 43.0 FG%, 74.3 FT%, 35.7 3PT%
’06-’07 GP 75 – 12.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.6 bpg, 1.4 threes, 1.3 topg, 42.4 FG%, 78.8 FT%, 35.1 3PT%

What the key selling point for Rasheed Wallace is the fact that he can contribute in so many categories for your fantasy team. Unlike most PFs that help contribute in points and rebounds, Rasheed can step back and hit a three. Not many PF have the 3-point range like Rasheed. Need a block or steal? No problem, Wallace can play defence. In fact Rasheed is one of the few players that averaged a block and steal and a three per game last year.

One of the few lumps you need to take with Rasheed in your lineup is that his FG% is not as good as other PF. Since Wallace averaged four three-point attempts last season, it will not help his overall floor percentage. Wallace over the years has learned to control his temper better and the technical fouls have been curbed. Wallace still holds the record of 41 technical fouls in the ’00-’01 season when he was with the Blazers. Wallace can still go off and still run the risk of being tossed out of the occasional game and Rasheed could run the risk of being suspended the odd game if he racks up another 16 technical fouls this season.

Reports from training camp indicate that Rasheed has lost 20 pounds from his workouts this past summer. It seems that coach Flip Saunders and Wallace have put aside their differences and are looking to move forward. With Chris Webber leaving the Pistons via free agency and the lack of an experienced big man up front, Wallace made be asked to play a little center. This could be a nice bonus for fantasy owners with the position flexibility. Wallace looks primed for a bounce back season.

It is strange that my memories of my high school friend are triggered by Rasheed Wallace’s tantrums. I guess I maybe the only fantasy owner that appreciates Wallace’s outbursts. Here’s to Rasheed being Rasheed this year!

Other Players on this Fantasy Team:
1.5. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks
2.8. Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs
3.5. Chauncey Billups, PG, Detroit Pistons
4.8. Raymond Felton, PG/SG, Charlotte Bobcats

Previous Picks this Round:
5.1. Antawn Jamison, PF/SF, Washington Wizards
5.2. Kirk Hinrich, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
5.3. Mo Williams, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
5.4. Zach Randolph, PF, New York Knicks

Previous Round Selections:
Round One Recap
Round Two Recap
Round Three Recap
Round Four Recap