Correct. That team doesn't make it there without Sheed, Pip, or Sabas. Everybody flopped like that vs Shaq after his 1st or 2nd year. Everybody. It's the only chance you had against him. If you stood your ground while he came through you, you were called for the foul. Sure Pip could have been a better leader. So could have Damon, and Smitty. But those players never did anything to hurt the team's chemistry like Sheed did. We don't blame a player's bad actions on another player's lack of leadership. Sheed was finally embarrassed by being dealt twice in one season. He thought he was untouchable. He learned he wasn't. So he was extremely motivated for the second half of that season. He understood he wasn't the top dog in Detroit. We gave him too much control. Too much respect and responsibility and he couldn't handle it. Detroit didn't make that mistake. He was just another player there like Steve Smith was here. But none of that excuses the team destroying activities and childish behavior he displayed here. None of the other veteran players on that team were involved in any of that. That's my problem with Sheed. His own actions. Not a lack of productivity, not a personality issue or anything personal like that. His stats don't put him in the discussion as a Blazer Great. Neither do his behavior, or leadership qualities. He's like the 3rd best #30 in Blazer history (IMO) and his jersey will never hang in the rafters. He doesn't have good memories or a good legacy here in Portland and that's his own fault.
