Introducing Your New Backup Power Forward

by JasonT on Jun 13, 2009 2:04 PM PDT

With all this talk about the Blazers needing a backup power forward it got me thinking about what type of player would best fill that role. With the team as it is currently constructed, the backup power forward needs to not only be a tough interior defender, but also needs to be an offensive threat b/c with Joel on the floor, putting one more anemic offensive player with him would allow 5 defenders to focus on our other 3 players, thus making it tough to find the space to score. Also, the ability to shift over to the center position once in awhile in case Joel or Greg get into foul trouble would be an essential trait. Preferably, this player would be a veteran and have playoff experience.

Now I know this may be controversial with some people, but Rasheed Wallace fits the bill perfectly. He's a free agent this summer. If he would accept coming back to Portland and the fans would accept him, he could be just what the doctor ordered. He could play 20 minutes or so, and not ever have to worry about being the man. He is an excellent interior defender, in fact, one of the best at defending Dwight Howard. He would provide a huge scoring threat on the 2nd unit and could even mix in with the starters from time-to-time. And if any injuries happened to either of our centers or LaMarcus, he could easily take over and the talent level wouldn't drop off much. And lastly, he doesn't just have playoff experience, he was a key component on a championship winning team.

The drawbacks? We all saw those the first time around in Portland. Though, I am willing to bet that if his role is lesser with the team and less pressure is put upon him, he will keep himself under control...as he was for the most part in Detroit.

Would he come back to Portland if they offered him a contract? Doubtful. Would fans accept him back? My guess is, most would.

Poll

Would you like to see Rasheed Wallace as Portland's backup power forward next season?

Yes

81 votes

No

176 votes

257 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 39 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

It will never happen

And he’s too old.

But, yes.

Life is hilarious.

by SolGoode on Jun 13, 2009 2:10 PM PDT reply actions

Rasheed Wallace to Cavaliers Rumor

Status Alert:
The Cavaliers will consider offering Wallace a two-year contract for $10 million per this offseason, according to Slam Online reports. (Jun 9)

Would reunite the Wallace’s

Offseason:
PG Options: Mike Conley(T)/Rodrigue Beaubois(D)
SG Options: Mickaël Piétrus(T)
PF Options: Ronnie Turiaf(T) - Damion James(D), Taj Gibson(D), Kevin Seraphin(D)
C Options: Alexis Ajinca(T)

The French Invasion !

by TheGreatDane17 on Jun 13, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd like that better

than him coming here. Looks like 65%+ also prefer he not return.

by lurtsman on Jun 13, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions

If only we could wash away the memories...

He is the perfect skill set

The French Invasion !

by TheGreatDane17 on Jun 13, 2009 2:11 PM PDT reply actions

No thanks

The potential chemistry problems this would cause is not worth the cost. Besides KP spent all this time getting rid of the jail blazers era. Why would he want to bring back one of the main problem players from that era? He does have the right skill set. I like your thinking in that regard.

by tcwoods on Jun 13, 2009 2:12 PM PDT reply actions

He doesn't rebound anymore, or play much D.

He’s hostile to the Portland media, tends to be uncoachable (unless the coach is a “legend” like Larry Brown), bullies younger players and still picks up a lot of pointless technicals. The only thing he wants to do is shoot 3s.

Sounds perfect to me.

ignacio

by ignacio on Jun 13, 2009 2:35 PM PDT reply actions

Perfect fit for the Cavs, and they need him a lot more than we do.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 13, 2009 2:42 PM PDT reply actions

Whoops, hit send too soon. Skill wise he brings a lot of the same things as Aldridge. I’d rather have more of an inside guy at the offensive end.

And yes, blah blah, CTC, etc., so it’s not gonna happen even if he was a good fit.

MLB2PDX!!! (someday...)

by The Cactus Leaguer on Jun 13, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I love Sheed. I don't know if he'd want to come back to PDX though.

Finally, a sig without typeing mistakes.

by prezofdeath on Jun 13, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions

and I'm not sure how much the organization would want him, unfortunately.

Finally, a sig without typeing mistakes.

by prezofdeath on Jun 13, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Because you are a reliable Bedger

I won’t condemn you for this one little lapse in judgement. Please don’t let it happen again Prez.

by oregonslee on Jun 13, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions

......... and because you are a moderator, flagging you for lameness won't do much good.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jun 13, 2009 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Power Corrupts

yes indeedy; so we need to remain vigilant for signs of basketball wierdness coming from the executive suite.

by oregonslee on Jun 13, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions

ahem

NO.

Rasheed had a wretched season last year and basically gave up midway through. Reminded me a lot of his days here.

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

by koyote on Jun 13, 2009 3:13 PM PDT reply actions

okay that was harsh

He didn’t really give up on the Blazers, but throwing a towel in the face of Arvydas was what soured me on Sheed. Never liked him after that.

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

by koyote on Jun 13, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Same here.

I still enjoy watching his “antics” from time to time. That incident, however, was low. I really don’t want him on the team though I will watch whatever team he plays for.

by Bskey on Jun 13, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions

No, it was accurate. Hashweed didn't care about his "job" as long as somebody CTC.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jun 13, 2009 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Sheed <3

The NBA: Where Amazingly Bad Officiating Happens.

by The Roybot on Jun 13, 2009 3:55 PM PDT reply actions

No need for Sheed

But in theory it’s a good idea, aging former star over the hump who still can give you something and play longer stretches if needed.

by Norsktroll on Jun 13, 2009 3:56 PM PDT reply actions

Poll don't lie

by We-B-Dunkin on Jun 13, 2009 4:04 PM PDT reply actions

I like Rasheed, but really don't think he's what we want.

These days he’s only “tough” from the mouth. He doesn’t post-up much, isn’t a great rebounder, and shoots too many long range shots. I’m still in the camp of the understated, under-rated banger for this slot.

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."

by GonzoFan on Jun 13, 2009 4:27 PM PDT reply actions

DJ WHITE

Easy to get from OKC and is pretty much an exact match to Dejuan Blair but probably cheaper. He is taller so he doesnt really have the weight issues Blair has but is the same type of player

by quezadaz on Jun 13, 2009 4:34 PM PDT reply actions

We need a banger PF who will accept

15 minutes a night. Defense and rebounding.

That’s not Sheed.

I’d like a Joe Smith or Turiaf type.

I don't normally do this, but I felt compelled to tell you something. You have an absolutely breath-taking... heiney. I mean, that thing's good. I wanna be friends with it

by Maximus Blaze on Jun 13, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions

No way we are getting either

Turiaf or Joe Smith, What do you know about DJ White??
He is a possible fit with our team as the banger but would come really cheap.
He has a funky jump shot but is really big and can post up down low

by quezadaz on Jun 13, 2009 8:11 PM PDT up reply actions

turiaf is not untouchable

it really wouldn’t cost us much to trade for him…
trout + frye for turiaf and filler wouldnt be too bad. they are at a shortage for big men, and losing turiaf may hurt them on the boards, but trout and frye do have the offensive firepower to do well in that system. they also save 2 years on trouts contract vs turiaf.

Senior Asian ambassador of Blazers Edge

by Philthyanimal on Jun 14, 2009 2:32 AM PDT up reply actions

I made a post saying the exact same thing and

i added Bayless for the # 8 and it didnt go over well with the warriors fans. They actually like Kurz over Frye and said that they like about 20 guys in this years draft better than Bayless. As for Outlaw they know his defense is great but said why play him ahead of Anthony Randolph or Brandon Wright at PF or Stephen Jackson or Corey Maggette.
I know the trade makes sense thats why i thought of it too and Frye didnt play great with us but we know he can score. Warriors fans wouldnt like it thats all im saying.
Plus Turiaf is basically 1 of 2 big men at all on their team besides Biedrins

by quezadaz on Jun 15, 2009 2:27 AM PDT up reply actions

mmmm... I like the idea...

I like the player, shoot I even like his attitude on the court, I think that his personal issues with the management at the time was most of the problem… he seen himself kinda … Owned by the orginization and I don’t think nash or patterson did anything to make him feel otherwise… not that they had to but still…

I think Sheed would be good for Lamarcus, and I think he would Love to come back under our current Management…. but… wallace is still wallace and he know’s paul allen has deep pockets.. and …. well.. .ctc is still a well known phrase in portland…

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Jun 13, 2009 6:06 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, right... He'll teach him how to be petulant, mean-spirited, self-centered, greedy, and that it's perfectly fine to shoot 25 foot jumpers and turn in a 6 point performance every other night...

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jun 13, 2009 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."

by GonzoFan on Jun 13, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

oh timbo,

you’re meaner than wallace… n I’m almost certain of it.

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Jun 17, 2009 12:56 AM PDT up reply actions

CTC

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."

by GonzoFan on Jun 13, 2009 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm so confused....

I just google searched it, but i couldn’t find what it meant.

What does CTC mean????

Gimmicks don't make dynasties

by WarEaglePDX on Jun 14, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Cut the check

by We-B-Dunkin on Jun 14, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Rasheed Wallace was a disaster.

"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal

by timbo on Jun 13, 2009 6:32 PM PDT reply actions

He could feach the young guy's how to roll a good blunt.

by We-B-Dunkin on Jun 13, 2009 6:43 PM PDT reply actions

Please... go to Cleveland

Talk about a player that never played to his potential. When here before, I was beggin for him to act like he cared about what he could mean to the team and lead them. Didn’t happen. Didn’t care. All about Sheed. Couldn’t keep his emotions in check….What a waste of talent.

by Ltlgto on Jun 13, 2009 8:30 PM PDT reply actions