Wallace Could Do Wonders

About 2 1/2 months ago when the Celtics were battling in the playoffs, I half-jokingly posted about the importance of the return of Brian Scalabrine.

That was the main problem -- it was only half a joke. What the C's desperately needed was someone who had the length to alter shots on defense and could stretch the floor on offense.

Scal did those things. Rasheed Wallace does them better. Way better.

That's why the Celtics impending signing of Detroit's big man to a 2-year, $11.5 million contract is a big deal. 'Sheed gives the Celts size, rebounding and a perimeter game that they were lacking at the tail end of last season.

Leon Powe is out for half the year and probably not coming back. Big Baby is undersized, has an inconsistent jumper and may not be back either. Signing Wallace was basically Plan A and B for the Celtics. Their whole offseason hinged on it.

Now they can sit back, with a core of Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Eddie House and Rajon Rondo and hope the likes of Grant Hill, Tyronn Lue and some sort of backup big man feel like joining the fray and gunning for a title.

Boston still has the cap-friendly veteran's minimum ($1.3 million) and biannual exception ($1.9 mill) to dole out. Hill and/or Lue would be a candidate for one or both. Another low-cost big man (like a Patrick O'Bryant, but maybe not as stiff) will be added as well.

All in all it gives the C's a solid compliment off the bench or starting in place of KG or Perk, the former coming off knee surgery and the latter susceptible to annual shoulder injuries.

I'm not saying this is on par with the Cavaliers getting Shaq or the Magic landing Vince Carter, but it certainly helps the C's in various areas of need.

And what more do you want in your offseason signings?

--Nick