Friday, July 3rd, 2009...12:37 pm
Aldridge: Sheed Will Visit SA, Orlando
From NBA.com’s David Aldridge (via 3QC):
Boston lead owner Wyc Grousbeck, general manager Danny Ainge, head coach Doc Rivers, Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce all went to Detroit on Thursday to formally present Wallace with an offer for the full mid-level exception. But they left town without Wallace agreeing to a deal. Wallace will visit San Antonio and Orlando next week, according to a source, before making up his mind. Wallace is not likely to visit Cleveland.
Aldridge forgot to include the ghost of Red Auerbach, who visited Wallace in a dream last week. Either way, the Spurs are still going to get a shot to convince Sheed to join the team. At this point, I don’t think Boston, Orlando or S.A. is in a position to offer more than the full MLE. It all comes down to two questions: Which team he believes has the best chance of winning a title and which coach and players he would prefer play with.
What’s interesting about the “Sheed-stakes” is how ouroboric the media has been. The Boston Celtics have pursued Wallace in a highly public manner and the media have reported that pursuit in great detail. Then, when conducting news analysis, many have said, “all we hear about is how badly Boston wants Sheed, that must be where he is going.”
Personally, I prefer the considerably quieter manner in which the Spurs pursue free agents. I think public pursuits of players oftentimes make teams look either silly or desperate (often both). It creates media buzz that, in all likelihood, the player is not responding to. And it makes your franchise look impotent if it throws tons of energy into an FA and is still unable to reel him in.
If you conduct your pursuit quietly, you not only save face if you don’t get the guy but you don’t alert other free agents to the fact that they are playing second fiddle. Also, by not bombarding the free agent with undue media attention and excessive personal visits, you respect his decision-making process.
For purely superstitious reasons, I believe the Spurs are going to land Rasheed Wallace. I experienced a sign. A couple of days ago, a package from my mother arrived at my front door. When I opened it, I found a framed painting by Joel Kimmel. I immediately called my mother.
“Thank you, Mom. But why did you send this to me?”
“Joel sent it to me as a gift, so I figured I’d frame it and give it to you. Who is it?”
“It’s Rasheed Wallace.”
52 Comments
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Haha! That’s a cool story you have there Graydon. What were the chances that it was going to be a Rasheed Wallace painting? Awesome.
Well, I’m getting extremely anxious with all this ‘Sheed talk. I would love for the Spurs to get him. I’m sure he has respect for the Spurs, and the kind of ball they play. We’ve had epic games against Detroit, and he knows it.
And I think you’re right about Boston bombarding him with massive attention from the media. I was thinking about that the other day. I don’t think anybody would like that, and it really does make Boston not only look desperate, but also a bit overzealous. So I think ‘Sheed might appreciate the more quiet and respectful manner that Spurs will give him.
And if he for some reason decides to go with another team, well I guess I’d rather we go for Brandon Bass. He seems like he could be a pretty good asset to the Spurs.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I have recently been quite worried that Rasheed Wallace would sign with the C’s rather than the Spurs. Thank you for your well written article. Not only did your rationalized arguments for a quiet pursuit help, but your anecdote at the end made me sure we will land him. As irrational as that may be. I’m excited for Parker-Ginobili-Jefferson-Duncan-Wallace. That’s a scary lineup.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I’m hopeful we’ll land him as a Spur, too. I’m hoping Larry Brown gives him a call and tells him Pop is the coach he wants to play for and we can offer a starting role, which I’m not sure is the case with Boston.
In any event, good post. I agree about keeping a low profile. Case in point is Richard Jefferson and I think Rasheed may be more receptive to a low key approach.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
All I know is that Timmy D has a full-size paintball course (whatever that may be) at his house and Tony has a 4-wheeler dirt track at his pad near by. Rasheed seems like a big kid who would dig that stuff. What’s Boston got but cold and taxes?
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Ouroboric! Respect.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I couldn’t agree more. I thought the fact that KG, Allen, AND Pierce all went to visit him in Detroit was way over the top.
And if you want someone who looks impotent and desperate these days, look no further than Daryl Morey. Sick burn, Gortat.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Perhaps the celtics feel that they can pressure him into signing with them, with all the media attention, the visits by the players, and other stuff. I hope that Sheed isn’t susceptible to peer pressure by those guys. Don’t fall victim to peer pressure ‘Sheed, don’t puff!! (okay, you may puff, but don’t inhale!!)
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
i wish we could land sheed…plus i agree to your article…well if he ill not accept it i look forward for bass wilcox and zaza whom the spurs would court after sheed….hoping its sheed…plus with a new roster i think be gon be balling next season…i just hope they bench bonner or trdae or dump him so as udoka…together with bonner to be dumped or traded…
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm
or maybe they could go frye too.but i really hope its sheed.!
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Hi evryone! just thinking if this is possible for the Spurs’ Free agent acquisition:
MLE: for ‘Sheed
LLE: for Gooden
Veteran minimum: for Frye or Brandon Bass
is this possible?
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I think the Celtics did what they did to make Sheed feel that he’s really THAT needed in Boston. It kinda tells him that the so-called Big Three in Boston are cool with him being a part of the roster and that everyone in the organization really wants him to be in their team.
Of course, Sheed isn’t that gullible and egoistic, is he?
I do admire the Spurs for not counting their chickens before they hatch and instead opting to pursue Sheed quietly and without fanfare.
By the way, I read somewhere in the ‘net that Sheed’s seriously considering to play with the Spurs, given that there’s a better opportunity for him to have good playing time with the team and the lesser taxes he has to pay in Texas (I don’t hear Dallas or Houston making a run after him, and I honestly hope they’re not). As far as I know, he’s friends with Duncan as well so that kinda tips the scales towards him signing with the Spurs.
So maybe instead of just having a Fearsome Foursome, maybe the Spurs could actually have a Fab Five.
Ohmygoodness, I’m really crossing my fingers and hoping to see Sheed in Silver & Black.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
It reminds me of when everyone put on a show in attempt to acquire Finley. In the end, it was a one-on-one conversation with Pop that brought him to San Antonio.
I hope the same holds true for Sheed. Maybe Timmy can tag along, too.
July 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I’m excited for the upcoming season… getting jefferson is a big boost! lets hope tha Blair and Mahinmi can be studs. McClinton seems to be a good fit coming in for short stints and bringing in instant offense and energy…
but i still hope we can get something good out of our MLE and LLE…. Go Spurs Go!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Just wondering are spurs not pursuing Linas Kleiza? i think he can be a good fit… what do you guys think?
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Interesting article. I think I’ve been in the camp that has believed Boston has got ahead of us by putting in a public and eager pursuit. You do raise some good points though.
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
oh before i forget! i still want my Bowen…. hope he can come back to us…. if he can’t play being defensive/strenght/conditioning coach or trainor would be nice for the spurs… Go SPURS Go!
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
linas?c’mon..he’s basically just another bon-bon, we need some help D, and we a’int gettin that from a guy named Linas Klieza…
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Here’s a rock solid plan:
(1)Sign Rasheed with the MLE; if we can’t get him, get McDyess for slightly less and save some $$$
(2)Use the LLE to get Grant Hill; if we can’t get him, use the $$$ to re-sign Gooden
(3)Sign Pachulia. How do we get the $$$ for him??? Easy, we trade Bonner for nothing….for a 3rd round draft pick! Whatever it takes to free up some cap space.
Things should really start to get interesting here in the next couple of days. I hope playing it cool pays off for the Spurs, and gives Timmy the man power he needs to go out in style!!!
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
goodness, i sure hope your feeling is right. Sheed would give the frontline a huge booth and be a proven low post scorer. But if we don’t get him, there are other options as well, none better than his teamate Antonio Mcdyess.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Looks like a nice plan AP…
(1)Signing ‘Sheed or McDyess should be good provided it is short term 2yrs. maybe?
(2)Although… i would consider signing Gooden over Grant Hill coz Gooden is younger.
(3)Not yet buying trading away Bonner to get Pachulia.. Bonner can space the floor for Timmy D.
a better plan might be getting Frye or Bass what do you think?
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I really believe that an upgrade of Sheed over Bonner puts us as leaders of the pack or at least 1B with the Lakers (gotta give defending champs their due) for the upcoming season.
First I want to discard the Orlando rumors, if there is one player that won’t want to deal with a coach jumping up and down every other possesion and throws his players under the buss after losses like Stan Van Gundy is known to do, it is Rasheed Wallace.
Moving on, I like the fact that we are one of the last teams that he will visit. With the reports in the media of Boston offering Sheed the MLE for 2 years, and the role of possibly coming off the bench behind KG and Kendrick Perkins this would be my pitch if I was the Spurs……MLE for 3 years and starting next to Tim Duncan, no questions asked.
I know there are reservations about giving a player Sheed’s age a contract that last 3 years but taking a closer look at this situation I feel ok with a 3 year deal. Here is why, throughout the Tim Duncan era Pop loves having that stretch 4 all the way back from Jerome Kersey, to Danny Ferry, to Robert Horry and now forcing Matt Bonner into that role despite his limitations, when you factor in that a 3 year deal would line up to when Tim Duncan’s current contract expires and that we just gave a 2 year deal to an older Kurt Thomas last summer I feel that 3 years for Sheed is worth the risk.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 pm
cryoscourge…
i was thinking of Linas getting off the bench to provide some shooting (we have some problems last year having long offensive droughts remember?) if we can get him at the minimum… this guy can flatout shoot right?
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I don’t think having an offensive flow is going to be much of a problem anymore. Ginobili will be healthy and we now have Richard Jefferson.
Now, I never really payed much attention to Kleiza’s defensive skills. But if he’s only an offensive player, then he’s not needed. We have plenty of offense.
That’s why ‘Sheed would be the right man. He can flat out play defense. He’s a big man, and he can also spread the floor. God, this whole thing with ‘Sheed has been all I can think about today.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
It’s said all the time, but the Spurs really do business differently than almost any other team in the league. The last few days have demonstrated a very specific break in philosophy between the Spurs Management and that of the Celtics, Mavericks and Rockets. Those teams have made their Free Agent strategy as public as possible-maybe hoping the thrill of instant world-wide attention would woo the egos of Rasheed Wallace, Jason Kidd, and Marcin Gortat (!??); maybe wanting to simply keep their fanbase convinced that they are laying it all out there to stay in title contention; maybe naively enjoying being part of the big crazy circus themselves.
The Spurs, meanwhile, have been equally and oppositely, and typically, private. It seems reasonable that Rasheed Wallace is their first choice, but it sure doesn’t seem like they’ve tried to promote that fact. They managed not to tip their hand about the Richard Jeffereson trade.
A similar philosophy seemed to be in effect in the Oklahoma City front office when they passed over Rubio for James Harden in this year’s draft. That’s a Spurs move.
What other Free Agents are the Spurs chasing other than Sheed? Who knows? We probably won’t know till it happens. At least I wouldn’t expect the Spurs to twitter about it.
July 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Good point DanielB i almost forgot we still got Roger Mason, he was just M.I.A during the playoffs… yeah we don’t need Linas…
but what do you think about getting Gooden (again) and or bass/frye?
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Robby,
Gooden is all offense and little D. i’d rather us go for Bass. I havent seen enough of Frye to make a decision.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I would want Pachulia on our team for the sole purpose of having a dude with the name “Zaza” onboard.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
SpursfanSteve,
i thought Gooden showed some good productions on both ends of the floor given limited minutes when he played for the Spurs….
i think given enough minutes and enough familiarity with our system he can help out .
“I would want Pachulia on our team for the sole purpose of having a dude with the name “Zaza” onboard.” nice one Zach R.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I haven’t seen much of Frye either. But all I’ve been reading about him is that he’s “too soft”. That’s not exactly what I’d want right now.
And as I said in an above comment, if we can’t land Rasheed, then I’d go for Brandon Bass. Or McDyess.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:37 pm
“And as I said in an above comment, if we can’t land Rasheed, then I’d go for Brandon Bass. Or McDyess.” agreed…
but i’m still hoping we can also land Gooden if we can’t get Rasheed… i seriously think Gooden’s gonna help hopefully LLE is enough for hime for 2-3 yrs…
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Really we can only sign one more decent FA with our MLE since we are over the cap. Players like Kleiza, Zaza, and Bass are all probably going to get contracts close to that which is what the Spurs are offering to Wallace. Another way to get a decent player is to trade Finley and Bonner to a team that needs cap space for next year which I suspect the Spurs are considering, since they have gone all out so far this offseason. Then if we need another player we could use the LLE which is significantly lower then the MLE but a player like Frye, Powe, and Shelden Williams could be interesting options.
Im thinking the Roster looks something like this but its way to early to project a roster, so here it goes.
PG Parker-Hill-McClinton
SG Ginobili-Mason-Finley
SF Jefferson-Hairston-Gist(possibly Bowen)
PF Duncan-Blair-Bonner
C Wallace-Mahinmi-LLE(possibly Oberto)
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Gooden is often out of position on the defensive end and seems to have a relatively low basketball IQ..
I know the Spurs system is complex so half a season is not much time to learn it, but hasn’t Gooden been traded like 6 times??
Does that mean anything?
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Correction: 5 times
I think we need defense in the frontcourt more than offense at this point.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Sean,
as a spurs fan like you… i would say this…
yes he’s been bounced around the league for quite bit… our sports and beat writers also claims that he has a relatively low basketball IQ.
But… have you seen him played for the spurs in the short stint that he had? not even half a season but he showed he can fit to our system…
Now you might point out the DNP-CD that he had the last playoff game.. i don’t think Pop thinks he’s not “Good enough” its just Pop saying “i’m going with my old Guns for now” why? because the only way we could have get past Dallas last playoffs was winning Game 4 and we didn’t….
July 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
The only reason that Gooden is an option, is because he’s already here. But he doesn’t fit the system at all. Pop told him, you don’t have to make up for Manu, by trying to score 20 points a night. Just put up 10 on offense, take away 10 on defense…he doesn’t do that.
He’s a good scorer, but not good enough to overshadow his poor defense. The reason a Pops Mensah-Bonsu or Channing Frye fit the system better, is because even though they have their problems, their athleticism can help them recover. Gooden is too slow to make up for a missed rotation.
And if he tried, he’d probably pull a groin or hurt his facial hair.
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:42 pm
are you serious john?
Gooden is the one who said this “I’m not trying to score 20 points a night. Just put up 10 on offense, take away 10 on defense” not Pop.
i don’t remember Pop saying bad things about him…. and if Pops Mensah-Bonsu was a better fit, why did the spurs waive him and sign Gooden instead?
stop the hate on Gooden brothers… i bet most of you was also excited when the Spurs acqired him last season…
i’m also not saying he’s a better fit than ‘Sheed.
what i meant was Spurs might be better getting these FA’s as follows:
MLE: ‘Sheed or McDyess (probably less pay)
LLE: Gooden if he agrees
Vet min.: for Brandon Bass or maybe Frye…
just a though…
July 4th, 2009 at 1:37 am
I find it intriguing that Rasheed Wallace has *chosen* to visit both San Antone and Orlando on his own. Did he originally schedule a visit to Boston, before the entire Celtics’ organization decided to drop by his Michigan home?
Once Rasheed gets to Texas, Pop is simply going to lay it out for him. No bells and whistles; just straight shooting. Pop will spell out Rasheed’s role with the team; what they can realistically expect out of him; how they plan on utilizing his skill-sets; how his minutes will be managed over the 82-game span; and how many years his deal with be for and why.
Real talk; the CIA Pop way. No photoshopped jerseys and banners hanging from streetlights.
July 4th, 2009 at 2:10 am
What no one seems to address is the obvious comaraderie of the three Celtics stars. All things being equal, you want to work where you are wanted, and that’s why I thought the Celts visiting him was a smart move. Even if Sheed signs with Charlotte, it brings Pierce, Garnett, and Allen closer together in their commitment toward the team.
July 4th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Hi Guys
I thought ROndo and Allen are being shopped by the Cs?
July 4th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I think Sheed would be the best fit in SA with Tim Duncan . I also think Frye would be a good fit as a back up.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Robby,
Godden said it to the media, that Pop told him that in practice. And if you had the choice, you’d waive Pops too, over Gooden. He’s got more experience and is a better overall player.
The better question is, who can the Spurs go get from Toronto, now they signed Hedo? Just to let that deal go through, they have to renounce the rights to Delfino, Marion, Anthony Parker, maybe Pops…or they can sign-and-trade.
Matt Bonner and Michael Finley for Carlos Delfino and Pops?
July 4th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Hi! With the signing of Hedo by the Raps, maybe Pops Mensah-Bonsu could become a 4th big option, he could be cheap, he’s athletic and knows the system… Do you think the Spurs could get him for the LLE?
July 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Might not be a bad option, but the Spurs don’t really have the roster space for him. Whoever doesn’t get Sheed (Boston or San Antonio) will get McDyess. So the Spurs front court will be Duncan/Blair/Mahinmi/Sheed or Dice/Bonner/Gist. That’s enough bigs. The one other roster spot to keep an eye on is Jefferson’s back up. If the Spurs don’t see something from their summer league squad (Malik Hairston) they might use their LLE to shore up that position. Or, maybe they get bold and work a sign and trade for a player like Josh Childress or Travis Outlaw. That last possibility would be a real cherry on top for this offseason, but it’s not so unthinkable.
July 4th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
John,
Trading Finley and Bonner for Delfino and Pops might be a good idea but i haven’t check if their salaries will match… and Finley have the option to deny a trade, he has Bird rights…
July 4th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Tim,
Getting Travis Outlaw will be coup for the spurs… i read something about him as an option 1b during crunch time for the blazers last season do you think we have a shot at him?
And are you almost certain that Gist, Mahinmi and Blair will make it to our rotation this season? that a young core! i’m getting excited!
hopefully we can land 2 BIGS (‘Sheed+ McDyess, or ‘Sheed+Gooden/Bass, or McDyess+ Gooden/Bass) and another wing… is this possible? i hope so, can’t wait to see the Spurs lineup for the upcoming season! Go Spurs Go!
July 4th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Tim,
do you think we have a shot at landing David Lee in case ‘Sheed won’t come to San Antonio? i think he will fit it just fine right?
July 4th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
i mean fit in just fine….
July 4th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
David Lee is worthless excitement. He’s an offensive rebounder who has made a name for himself winning a handful of close games because he had the ball at the right time.
Matt Bonner’s not a starting or backup center, but I think he’s a little more valuable than a third draft pick. He shot very well last season, and just because that didn’t help the Spurs enough doesn’t mean he’s not worth a dime to anyone else.
Also Drew Gooden is not a very good NBA player. I can’t imagine anyone hoping to re-sign him has watched him play. The Spurs didn’t stumble on a gold mine - he was available late last season because no one else wanted him. The Spurs were desperate. Pops Mensah-Bonsu is the answer to nothing…
I think that if we don’t get Sheed, we’ll probably be all right. We’ve had a great offseason so far. At the end of the season, I felt that the Spurs #1 priority was landing an elite 3. Understanding that this was an almost impossible task, I figured they’d settle for a modest improvement at their other weak position - center.
We’ve improved at the 3. We might not have a center, but we’ve got an interesting option down low off the bench in DeJuan Blair - I bet he’s better than Kurt Thomas.
We are already in great shape… I guess you could argue that we don’t have the kind of passing center we’ve been used to lately, and that might play out in some unexpected ways. Otherwise, on paper we are as good as or better than we were last season at every position. If we land Sheed, _great_. If we don’t, oh well. I mean, people are talking about Brandon Bass like he was a worst-case scenario! Any name out there is an improvement.
Also, why do people think we should take back Bowen? What could he possibly contribute at this point? Who’s he gonna stop these days?
July 5th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
If you think Gooden will sign ANYWHERE for the LLE, you’re crazy. He’s going to command most, if not all of someone’s mid-level.
July 5th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Spurs signed Marcus Haislip, a 6’10” power forward, former lottery pick who has been playing in Europe for a couple of years.
He’s described as “freakishly athletic,” but has spent the last couple years upping his skill level in Europe.
Typical left-field move by the Spurs.
The article says we are not out of the running for Wallace, but where is Haislip’s money coming from? The lower-level exception, I’m guessing…
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_reach_deal_with_power_forward_Haislip.html
Here’s a detailed description of Haislip:
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marcus-Haislip-2681/
July 5th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Rasheed picks Boston…. as reported by ESPN
this means we have to look elsewhere to shoreup our frontcourt, McDyess? Bass? Gooden? or David Lee if we can get him at MLE… what do you guys think?
July 5th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Man that annoys me…. anyways.
McDyess would be good…. Bass as well.
David Lee no chance, and Gooden - I thought he will come back already?
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