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Introducing ... Coach 'Sheed?

Wallace might be even better on the bench than the floor

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2008 1:01 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Detroit's Rasheed Wallace is a great basketball player, but he could become an even better coach, writes Eric Adelson in ESPN the Magazine. He may collect more than his share of technical fouls, says Pistons coach Flip Saunders, but he "has all the makings of a great coach. He sees things before they happen." Even opposing coaches agree.

"He's extremely smart, ahead of every play," says Stan Van Gundy. A college coach praises the power forward for having "almost a point guard savvy." But what about his personality? The hot-headedness that got him ejected in last year's playoffs comes from the same sense of fairness that drives his charity work and keeps him advocating for players' rights.

Detroit Pistons Rasheed Wallace, left, has had a productive mentoring relationship with many of the younger players on his team.
Detroit Pistons Rasheed Wallace, left, has had a productive mentoring relationship with many of the younger players on his team.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Pistons center Rasheed Wallace walks to the key for a Philadelphia 76ers foul shot late in the fourth quarter of their 90-86 loss in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series.
Detroit Pistons center Rasheed Wallace walks to the key for a Philadelphia 76ers foul shot late in the fourth quarter of their 90-86 loss in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series.   (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace reacts to being called for a foul Sunday, March 23, 2008. Though he does draw plenty of technicals, Wallace generally stays out of personal foul trouble.
Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace reacts to being called for a foul Sunday, March 23, 2008. Though he does draw plenty of technicals, Wallace generally stays out of personal foul trouble.   (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace sits on the bench late in the fourth quarter as his team is defeated by the Chicago Bulls in an NBA basketball playoff game Sunday, May 13, 2007.
Detroit Pistons' Rasheed Wallace sits on the bench late in the fourth quarter as his team is defeated by the Chicago Bulls in an NBA basketball playoff game Sunday, May 13, 2007.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Detroit Pistons center Rasheed Wallace reacts to blocking an Orlando Magic shot in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan. 25, 2008.
Detroit Pistons center Rasheed Wallace reacts to blocking an Orlando Magic shot in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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Wallace takes the blame for loss to Sixers
Michigan Live

Saunders insists it's not Sheed's fault
Detroit Free Press

Psychoanalyzing Sheed
NBA.com

 
NBA • Detroit Pistons • coach • Rasheed Wallace • Flip Saunders • Joe Dumars

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