Thank Goodness for Rasheed Wallace

I for one am pleased that the New York Knicks' Rasheed Wallace was eject from their December 2nd match up against the Phoenix Suns, but not because I hate "Sheed"; more so because I love what his return from retirement brings to NBA Basketball.  The December 2nd ejection marked the 31st time in his career he's been removed from a professional basketball game by an on-court official and I simply loved it.



In the early stages of the game "Sheed" was hit with a tech for striking the arm of an opponent after being called for a foul, which he disagreed with.  Moments later he belted out "Ball don't Lie" for which he received his second technical foul and was instructed to leave the court.  Although Wallace didn't direct his comment at any particular official, he was still whistled for the infraction.

So why do I love this?

On any given night in the NBA courtside microphones can pickup player chatter which includes everything from profanity to the use of the "N-word."  There are also times were statements like "And One" are yelled out as offensive players communicate their belief they were fouled while attempting a shot.  Typically, these pejoratives are not addressed with technical fouls by the game officials.  So when Rasheed Wallace yells out a statement that references the "Basketball Gods" and how they mysteriously balance out good and evil in a basketball game, it tickles me to think that an official found this to be more inappropriate than a player barking to a teammate to "shut that nigga down on D."

Even after a few years of retirement, Rasheed Wallace still faces the demons of his past leaving me with mixed thoughts in light of his most recent ejection.  I think it's important that the NBA has players with huge egos and over the top personalities.  It simply makes the game more interesting and satisfies a need to see a hero defeat a villain or the contrary; watching a villain win.

Two years ago, the NBA made it known that referees were putting the clamps down on on-court player conduct and it was for good reason, but now I am left feeling that everyone is simply too nice.  Yes, NBA players should acknowledge their blessings and privileged for making millions playing a child's game, but it's boring watching a bunch of nice guys play basketball.  I can get that in the local church league.

I don't think we should return to the days of throwing fans through bar windows, but we need another Allen Iverson "Practice" moment and guys like Reggie Miller that are bold enough to direct a simulated choke at a celebrity fan.  At this point, I'll even settle for LeBron dropping 50 on an opposing players girlfriend again [see Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors] - Just pick one LeBron, any one and make it news.  "LeBron gets pissed, goes for 60 against Vanessa Bryant" - now that's a headline I would love see.

Rasheed, I don't always agree with your on court demeanor, but I love watching you play knowing something may pop off.  Your unpredictability kills the boredom of an NBA season and offers a reminder that NBA athletes are some of the fiercest competitors on the planet!  Thank you for being you after all the years and keeping it real.

"Ball don't lie!"  Oooops!!!  Sorry readers.  I guess I'm ejected from this blog post now!

-J