Feb
24
Gerald Wallace ‘Crashes’ Into Portland
By sarahhecht Posted in: geraldwallace
Gerald “Crash” Wallace is the newest Portland Trail Blazer.
If heart, guts and hustle are what you look for in a player, Wallace is your man. He didn’t earn the nickname “Crash” for just any reason. It’s a title earned through season after season of gritty play that pushes the limit and sometimes leads to tough bumps.
The best part about his nickname? It was given to him by devoted fans. And he feels great about it. “I feel good about it,” Wallace said. “It's a great thing for me to get a nickname and I thought it would be fun to get the fans involved.”
Let’s take a little trip through the life and NBA times of Gerald Wallace.
The University of Alabama was his first stop after winning the Naismith Prep Player of the Year award in high school. After one season he entered the draft in 2001. With the 25th pick of the first round the Sacramento Kings selected Wallace.
His stretch in Sacramento saw Wallace getting the feel for the NBA and a 2002 trip to the Slam Dunk Contest. He placed 2nd behind Jason Richardson.
Check out his sweet moves.
Three seasons into his NBA career Wallace was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats in their 2004 expansion draft.
He’s been with them since and has acted as the team captain since 2009.
By the numbers, this season Wallace is averaging 29.0 minutes, 15.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Did I mention that he’s an All-Star? Wallace was a member of the 2010 All-Star team that played in Dallas last year. He was the first Bobcat ever selected as an All-Star.
As icing on the cake, in early 2010 Wallace was selected to the USA Basketball men’s team for 2010-2012. This honor gave him the chance to represent the Red, White and Blue in the 2010 FIBA World Championships and may be his ticket to the 2012 Olympics.
With Wallace’s loaded history what do you expect to see from him? How will he contribute? As a hustle and grit kind of guy I’m excited to see how he’ll mesh into the defensive scheme we currently have. As an addition to the current lock-down of Marcus Camby, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews we could have a potential line-up similar to a brick wall. Nothing’s getting through. A member of the 2010 NBA All-Defensive First Team is sure to frustrate any opponent.
I welcome an impressive resume like Wallace’s with open arms. Welcome to Portland Gerald. I know you’ll do us proud.
Don’t miss your first chance to see Crash in action against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
Get your tickets now!