Back in October, when 4 time All Star and NBA Champion Rasheed Wallace decided to come out of retirement and sign with the NY Knicks, the often outspoken and tempermental big man promised everyone that at age 38, he was much to old to be clashing with officials.
After all, coming into Sunday afternoon’s tip-off with the Suns, Wallace had tallied and NBA record 315 technical fouls and has led the league in techs 7 times. He also had been ejected more than 30 times during his career, the most since the ’91-’92 season.
In his return to basketball, with him last playing for the Celtics in 2010, Wallace has been better than advertised, averaging nearly 8 ppg and 5 rebounds, providing the Knicks a low post and perimeter option while Amare Stoudemire remains out.
Sheed has become a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden as fans regularly chant for the always entertaining forward until his name is called by coach Mike Brown to enter a game. Rasheed has obliged both at home and on the road, showing off his still potent 3 point prowess as well as thunderous dunking ability.
When it comes to trash talk and intimidation, Sheed still has plenty there too as he has taunted Aaron Afflalo in Orlando and has been caught on camera yelling “Ball Don’t Lie” to Hornets rookie Austin Rivers while shooting free throws.
In the midst of Carmelo Anthony dropping 34 points in helping New York defeat Phoenix 106-99, to remain perfect at home and just 1/2 game behind the East leading Miami Heat, Wallace was once again in a testy mood, this time clearly focused on Suns forward Luis Scola.
After playing just 1:25 of game time, Wallace received a quick technical for a hard foul on Scola, then was given a 2nd tech for yelling once again “Ball Don’t Lie” during Goran Dragic’s free throws in protest of the call, earning the 31st ejection of his career. So much for not clashing with referees…
