“Once [Wallace] had a chance to reflect on everything, and realizing what his objectives are, he just decided this was the best fit for him, all the way around,’’ said Bill Strickland, Wallace’s agent. “He has always wanted to be on a team that plays with a team effort, and Boston won the championship with a team like that. Boston has three potential Hall of Famers - Rasheed has played with a lot of talent, but not with a concentration of talent like this.
“He made the decision, and part of it is that, if things are relatively the same financially, it turned on basketball considerations. Everything was going to be more or less the same [in terms of salary], so he looked at the basketball considerations.’’
Wallace’s relationship with Garnett and the Celtics’ history were key factors in the recruitment.
“The group that came in - Danny and everyone was quite thorough in bringing to his attention some things he already understood,’’ Strickland said. “He gained a greater appreciation for the fans in Boston and it will be an interesting change, to have them cheering for him instead of booing.
“He was more concerned with the team, but the organization showed a lot of class. They came in and made him feel comfortable.’’
Asked if he advised Wallace to consider other offers, Strickland said, “He’ll have to speak to that. But that’s the Rasheed I know, when he makes up his mind . . .
“There will be kindred spirits on the floor. He is known as an emotional person and has received technicals for being vocal. And now there is another player [Garnett] on the team who is equally intense and I think it’s just going to be interesting and rewarding for the fans to see KG and Rasheed together, particularly on the defensive end, along with [Kendrick] Perkins. This instantly makes them a better defensive team.
