Warning: Wallace coming for retribution
March, 20, 2010
By Tim MacMahon
DALLAS -- Rasheed Wallace whined about the officiating and vowed to get "retribution" the last time he saw Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Wallace gets a chance to back up his words Saturday night, when the Boston Celtics visit American Airlines Center.
Wallace already paid for popping off after the Mavs' 99-90 win in Boston. The NBA fined him $35,000 for the following comments:
"You know, they don’t like no tough defense on [Nowitzki] so of course I get a whole lot of [expletive] calls, but that’s how the story goes,” he said. “I ain’t worried about it. We’ll see them again. Honestly, I can’t remember which one the fourth foul was, there were so many bogus [calls]. I ain’t worried about it. Like I said, we’ll see them again. We go down there in about a month or so. There will be retribution."
Nowitzki, who shrugged off the comments at the time, didn't make himself available for comment after the Mavs' practice Friday. Teammate Jason Terry and coach Rick Carlisle weren't concerned in the least about Wallace's ref critique or retribution vow.
"Anytime you’re playing against a star player, hey, the referees are going to call it tight," Terry said. "You can’t put your hands on guys like Dirk, Kobe, Durant."
Added Carlisle: "The referees are going to call it the way it is. And if they don’t, they get in trouble with the league office."
Whether the refs were right or wrong, it was Wallace who got in hot water with the league office after the last Mavs-Celtics meeting. If anything, his words then might make this officiating crew a bit quicker with the whistle when he's defending Dirk or complaining about calls.
Celtics at Mavs Preview: It's Rasheed's Retaliation Vs. Dirk's Dominance
Don't Feel Bad, 'Sheed; Nowitzki Outscores 4's Like No Other NBA Player
I’ve resisted the urge to treat the Rasheed Wallace “retribution’’ angle as a legitimate story because … well, because it isn’t a legitimate story angle.
It’s a hot-button word, “retribution.’’ But what does it mean here? That tonight at the AAC, ‘Sheed is going to pay back the Mavs because they won 99-90 in Boston back on Jan. 18? Because Dirk Nowitzki had the audacity to score 22 second-half points and 37 total against the coverage of Wallace and friends? Because Dirk got a whistle called his way? Because historically the Celtics don’t get calls? Because The UberMan generally dominates other power forwards like Wallace? Because Rasheed Wallace is going to try to salvage his subpar season in one night?
First the comments that earned Wallace a $35,000 fine from the NBA:
"You know, they don’t like no tough defense on (Dirk),’’ Wallace said, “so of course I get a whole lot of bull calls, but that’s how the story goes. I ain’t worried about it. We’ll see them again. Honestly, I can’t remember which one the fourth foul was, there were so many bogus (calls). I ain’t worried about it. Like I said, we’ll see them again. … There will be retribution."
Yeah! How dare Dirk Nowitzki score 37 points against the Celtics!?
There are a trio of true issues here.
1. To Nowitzki, Wallace Is Just Another Inferior Power Forward
This year, Dirk Nowitzki hasn’t just been superior to the NBA’s collection of Rasheed Wallace types; he’s been 10 points better.
The UberMan has outscored his opposing power forward by 10-plus points in 41 of the Mavs’ 68 games.
Here’s the list of starting power forwards who have the most games in which they outscored their opposing power forward by 10-plus points
Nowitzki 41
Stoudemire 29
Bosh 25
D. West 23
Randolph 21
You are reading that right. As a 4-against-4’s, Dirk is a more dominant scorer than Amare, than Bosh. … than any of them.
Including, of course, Rasheed Wallace. … who does not appear high enough on this list to bother with. (And who doesn't even start for Boston.)
In that Jan. 18 meeting, Dallas trailed by 12 early in the third but took lead with 10-3 run to end the period. Nowitzki, naturally, was a key. He got his game-high 37 points on 14-of-22 shooting, on 9-of-12 from the line, and also added seven rebounds.
What did Wallace do in that game? Nothing except collect fouls.
What does he do in all the “big games’’ this year? Nothing.
2. This Year, Wallace Needs ‘Retribution’ 82 Times A Year
Dallas’ Jason Terry chose to address the “retribution’’ issue at Friday’s practice.
“Anytime you're playing against a star player (like Dirk), hey, the referees are going to call it tight … Rasheed's playing well this year,’’ said Gentleman Jet, “but it's a team game. Our team's going to be ready.’’
Whoa. Back up.
Rasheed’s playing what this year?
Wallace plays 23 minutes a game, scores nine points a game, contributes four rebounds a game. Last night in Houston, he was the team’s eighth man.
The Celtics have one flaw: They don’t beat the good teams (they are 3-12 against the Mavs, Cavs, Lakers, Hawks, Magic and Nuggets) and in those games, they get very little – except for talk – out of Wallace.
Consider his numbers against those six “elite’’ teams (thanks to WEEI):
*Atlanta: 40.2% FG, 28.5% 3-point FG, 50% FT
*Cleveland: 32.0% FG
*Orlando: 39.5 FG, 22.2% 3-point FG, 50% FT
*Denver: 40.0% FG, 0.0% 3-point FG
*Lakers: 21.4% FG, 16.7% 3-point FG, 3.5 PPG
*Dallas: 38.5% FG, 0.0% 3-point FG, -3.0 assist-to-turnover ratio
Where I come from, a guy with those numbers is dismissed by simply saying, “Dude, first make a basket. Then pop off.’’
And then Rasheed Wallace starts Touretting a bunch of “bull s’’ and gets fined $35,000.
Maybe Wallace turns this tide in the playoffs or maybe he turns it tonight. But to this point, the most impactful thing Rasheed Wallace has done all season is get fined.
3. The Place Where Statements Are Really Made …
I mentioned on ESPN Radio this morning that “retribution’’ talk might be Rasheed’s way of motivating his 35-year-old self through a long arduous season. Maybe he’s creating artificial obstacles to hurdle, artificial enemies to conquer, all as a way to get him out of bed in the morning.
But it appears to me that the Celtics (44-24) are making most of their statements on the floor.
At the time Dallas won that January game, it was putting an end to a disconcerting four-game skid. The Mavs needed to make a statement – to themselves.
Boston is presently doing the same thing. The Celtics are 8-3 in March, are in a battle for third in the East, and are coming off an impressive 94-87 victory Friday in Houston. And as a road team, Boston is the East’s answer to the Mavs; the Celtics are 23-12 away from home.
There are numerous storylines to tonight’s game. I’ve got Michael Finley’s return to town way down on my list as a “cute’’ angle. … but even that one is ranked higher than worrying about Rasheed’s Retaliation.
at Perkins at 1:00
KG vs Mavs?
Have to root for stadium collapse
When will Rasheed figure out he's finished?
If Dirk gets 31+ he passes David Robinson in all time scoring list. This is coming a few weeks after he passed Gervin and months after he passed Duncan. Dirk is passing all the Spurs this year tbh.
Crappy NBA night, only this game and the Bucks/Nuggz are even worth watching.
lol marion missing that and getting bailed out by refs
ings refs ruining this game 57 seconds in
wtf i need circus music to watch this
rootin for the mavs on this one. Can't stand Garnett i wish Chuck just knocked him out yesterday
caron and dirk 2-8 combined...step up lol
LOL Jason Terry raising his arms in triumph after a 24 second violation.
i like jj with his amazing passing
Findog's troll? sounds analogously re ed but not as witty.
THAT WAS ING HILARIOUS!
TURNOVER
TURNOVER
TURNOVER
lulz
It's like watching a bunch of 5 year olds play. WTF.
Damn has Haywood sucked ass since his back injury...
and memo to the Dallas Mavericks : Hold on to the ing ball
we're going to win the game anyway because WE ARE STACKED. You would be nuts to think otherwise, you trotting elephant got.Damn has Haywood sucked ass since his back injury...
and memo to the Dallas Mavericks : Hold on to the ing ball
Carlisle never fails to give Najera too many minutes on Mexican nights. And JJ is sick and sucks at basketball and still gets minutes over Roddy.
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