<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">There are plenty of theories about why the Pistons won't win the NBA title this season. Perhaps the most perplexing, at least to coach Flip Saunders, is the Rasheed Wallace Theory. It goes like this: The Pistons will fail because Wallace, once known across the league as a 6-foot-11 distraction, will implode without the guidance and nurturing of former coach Larry Brown. That idea clearly aggravates Saunders, who replaced Brown. Saunders said he doesn't have problems with players, even guys with me-first reputations like former Timberwolves Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. "Sam calls me once or twice a week -- even now," said Saunders, who coached at Minnesota for more than nine seasons. And he doesn't expect any major friction with Wallace. "The biggest thing why I don't think" that'll happen "is, I have respect for 'Sheed," Saunders said. "I think he has respect for me. I think when you respect each other you know not to step on each other's toes in certain situations. "You gotta realize, I was a junior college coach and coached guys who people didn't want. I was a (Continental Basketball Association) coach for eight years. You coach down there for eight years, you can deal with anybody." Even more perplexing to Saunders is the idea that Wallace would be difficult to deal with, though Wallace had problems with game officials, police and reporters when he played at Portland. "Rasheed really has a good heart, and I think that's what people a lot of the times don't really understand," Saunders said. "Until you're around him every day and you see how he interacts with everybody and how he really cares about people, that's something you really come to appreciate more." If anything, Wallace seems like more of a leader this season. He came to training camp 20 pounds lighter and with tons of energy. He has been vocal. He shouts encouragement when he's on the sidelines at practice. He tells guys where to go. He gives rookies advice. "I didn't realize how vocal he was," Saunders said. "And when I say vocal, productive vocal. I mean, playing against him, I've seen him vocal at times, but it wasn't as productive."</div> Source
Sheed puts the Pistons over the edge. saying he's a detriment to the team just shows how little one knows about the Pistons.
If Sheed can't stop duncan- the rest of the pistons front line will. I really hope you guys get redemption this year. Being a Laker fan it hurt to see the pistons kill the lakers in the finals two years ago, but your more fun to watch than the spurs...god i hate them.....
