"Rasheed Wallace was eyeing 72 wins six months ago, and he wasn't afraid to put it on the record. That was when he was endearing to Celtics fans, not enraging.

He was thought to be Kevin Garnett's kindred spirit, not just an insurance policy, and Wallace was one of the few players Garnett would snap out of his pregame tunnel vision to embrace.

Wallace was still the fresh-faced offseason addition, the veteran who brought a championship ring from his days with the Pistons. He was the player who could (theoretically) go in the post — and shoot the three. The walking technical foul Celtics fans hated as the opponent, but instantly understood once he put on the Green.

So much happens in six months.

Wallace fell in love with a 3-point shot that didn't love him back. Logic forced him to explore the post more in the second half of the season. He exploded at times, earning 17 technicals, although three were rescinded. He was praised for his basketball IQ, but he struggled to pick up the complex Celtics defense. He became a symbol of an aging, underachieving team.

One night he missed so many 3-pointers that sighs turned to boos at the Garden."