Wow. I'll be interested to see other players' reaction to the beginning of that interview. Thanks for digging that up chules.
I taught in Portland for two years, and my paths crossed with a couple of the Blazers, and I had friends that were close with Rasheed. I didn't ever hang out with him, but I can tell you that he definitely sincere about doing charity work under the radar, and he gave a lot of money away. The disconnect is not between the players and the fans, it's between the organization and the fans. Say what you will, but on the court he is the hardest working Blazer. Randolph can only have the kind of offense he has because Rasheed does all the work on defense. Most Portland residents and fans still love Rasheed. I love Rasheed.
I still don't get Rasheed. Did anyone ever see the "Real SPorts" interview with him a year or two ago on HBO? He couldn't have been a nicer guy. It definitely seems like he's trying to act a part. But then you read stuff like this
Rasheed Wallace pulled Wells aside, said, "Watch this," then whipped a basketball 100 feet into teammate Ruben Boumtje Boumtje. As the guy writhed on the ground, Bonzi and Sheed "giggled like schoolchildren and ran away."
Not that I wouldn't laugh too. 100 feet? Guy's a natural.Thanks for finding the full piece, chules ... for my part, I think the guy's sincere about hoops and charities. He's just an idiot.
After reading this piece I couldn't think help but think that a lot of people had the same reaction as ESPN' Ric Bucher, namely Who cares?
Also, here's a little not-so-insider information for you. 80% of NBA players smoke weed. It's not just the Blazers.
