“They Don’t Wanna Be Touched”: Rasheed Wallace Warns NBA Bigs of Consequences as the Style of Play Makes Inevitable Comeback to the Paint

The current bigs have won the last four league MVP awards: Nikola Jokić three times and Joel Embiid once. Even last year’s Rookie of the Year was won by a center, Victor Wembanyama. The roles of the traditional center have evolved, which requires more shooting. Even Shaquille O’Neal claimed he was “jealous” of the current generation of bigs. However, another former center, Rasheed Wallace, spoke about the issues related to the current crop of players.

Recently on his podcast, Sheed explained why the center position has taken a step back. He also felt that certain skills of big men were lacking in today’s NBA, saying, “A lot of these bigs today don’t want to get down there on them blocks and bump and grind.” Rasheed Wallace continued on Sheed & Tyler, “They don’t wanna be touched, all they want to do is stand out there and shoot threes.”

Comparing the shot-blocking abilities of current players with Shaq, there is a clear difference. The Lakers legend averaged 2.3 blocks in his 19-year career whereas Nikola Jokić averaged 0.7 and Embiid averaged 1.7 blocks. Further, O’Neal recorded more than 2 blocks on average in 12 seasons, while Embiid could do it only once, that too, in his rookie year. Although Rasheed Wallace did not voice the name of any franchise, he claimed that the centers now shy away from defending.

“Lot of these kids, they don’t want to play defense. Um, it’s more one facet. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all of them, but you have a majority of them, it’s one facet.” The former champion with the Detroit Pistons also felt that, due to the pace of the league, the focus is only on scoring. Hence, players focus more on shooting three. But, according to him, it will change soon.

“Sooner or later, you going to have to post up. This game ain’t always going to be on that perimeter. It changes, you know. It fades in and out,” said the 49-year-old. The thing that Sheed pointed out about scoring, although he may not like it, there is another legend who holds a contrasting opinion.

Why Shaq has a different POV than Rasheed Wallace

Explaining his thought process to Draymond Green, who has transitioned to playing five for the Warriors, Shaq said, “I’m jealous in them because I wish I was allowed to do that.” He continued on the Draymond Green show earlier this year, “Wish I could step out and shoot the three, brother.”

Shaq was so good in the paint that coaches from the 90s and 2000s era wouldn’t even let him stand outside the three-point line. However, he has attempted a total of 22 threes in his career, out of which he has sunk only one. He also struggled with free throws more than any other opponent. It seems FT shooting was truly his nemesis.

During the conversation, he also mentioned not stanning all the bigs. “As the president of the Big Man Alliance, I really like those three guys (Jokic, Embiid and Wembanyama). Any other big guys, I’m not really feeling.” Who knows, maybe the 7-foot big man’s list eludes the other players as they don’t contribute enough offensively or defensively. Do you agree with The Big Aristotle’s list?

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.