Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated

The breaking news this weekend now rolled around the Boston Celtics is Sunday swooping and they recruit. And they sign not to a letter of intent are a scholarship but to a contract Rasheed balls it's like a done deal. Scheduled to be done now officially on Wednesday joining us on the eighteenth the hotline SI Sports Illustrated. Chris man -- Chris Mike and ask you Joe Hagerty Rio. We're doing well I guess I'm a little bit surprised -- Chris it up quickly this thing came together you have the story and SI. Over the weekend and in late last week that a huge contingent of Celtics so -- went there. To visit Rasheed Wallace they put the recruiting pitch on -- but that there was no real timetable to make a decision here is gonna field so other offers -- this thing come together so quickly over the course of a couple days.

Really big computer of course the couple -- checked in with Rasheed date in about 6 PM last night that there was going to be no news report. You know proceed as whites are still think anybody really in doubt what his wife thought that was what opinion what she put a huge -- I've told decision -- over the weekend you decide which he was sold on -- and -- it's unclear W Floyd that a guy like Kevin Garnett had on the capital by. People close to -- people around the leader Kevin Garnett -- exert a lot of influence on Rasheed Wallace I think is. Impact in those meetings not -- tremendous role player -- 8 o'clock last night I don't extra amount from bill Strickland Rasheed agents segment receivers -- critical -- not. Not to bother with meetings with San Antonio Orlando to just double Celtic that he was -- signed so this came together very quickly lock or not but not by at least take. Through the middle of this week maybe a lick the end of the week. To make the decision dispute at pitches from most -- let magistrate Antonio and Orlando. Which were offered similar -- deals and also putting in winning situations but you know you gotta give the Celtics a ton of credit. -- that the three hour meeting at which received -- suburban missed in all I think really really nailed.

Chris what's your sense from talking to some of those people around the situation. What kind of relationship do Garnett and Wallace have what what what kind of relationship is it in. What is it about Garnett that helped you know while get Wallace on -- and recruit him for the --

Well I think toward -- several times what perspective I think that's it he would say something like active back even -- All-Star caliber players -- Rasheed really up. A tremendous motors respect for Kevin Garnett work -- Operated desire to win a championship and I think you realize that a team with Garnett audit. You know if you're any -- outlawed Garnett they're -- gonna have chipped contend that -- came down to. Which Hershey at this point and he like said that that the money was going to be the -- bureau that -- points. It's six million dollar exception that it -- platelet original endorsement at Sony are bought -- you want to go the place she felt most comfortable and I think that in that meeting. Kevin Garnett made it clear to him that he would be very comfortable very EI and just news even it was spoken or unspoken. It became lobbied to receded as the situation you want the play and so I think that. You know as much as anybody it talk to or she -- much -- we -- all Rasheed leading up it's not the decision not Kevin Garnett latest literal.

Talk about the Rasheed Wallace the player first year in terms of his -- got 35 years old Chris. I guy who yell at its lowest point per game output since his rookie year back in the Washington bullets last season. He's going to be coming off the bench with this team in the Celtics certainly needed some depth on this roster. Is CA good fit is these the best player available free agent lies for the Celtics who have gone out and I made a plea for.

Let me I'll I'll say that's -- at the -- I think it is the best move of -- debate I think Bennett art that's going Laker but the Gypsy don't burst. And Jack quickly and it really it did not matter individual talent. Get those players are better than Rasheed individually I think the is what counts the most guys I think this is really tremendous tremendous debt for the Celtics you can really kind of -- last year numbers plastered numbers. Or are really reflected the player that bill Lee proceeded even at 35 when the season's start I think -- you can have yet more the the player you saw two years ago Detroit where they're contending for the NBA finals I think last year which case where. She saw the writing a wall Detroit tried to force his way out. In that were actually want to go to San Antonio I agree trade deadline the spurs did not have the app that. Expired contracts really that the Detroit wanted to exchange for receipt -- I think last year at the top cop situation forgotten it's still want to win. I was talking that was built into the future I think because you're reinvigorate received while this point yet you got that. Is excited to widget which could get -- W killed you duke thirteen to fourteen point two game. He 78 -- nine rebounds per game and shoot the ball extremely well and report cheap shot about 35. -- percent from -- from -- last year I think that noble tropical locked given its open looks to about 37 or 38% I really believe that. Because of what Boston needed because they needed. -- that one guy like two positions coming up the badge that is exactly what the doctor ordered for the team and I think it won't eat healthy and long to -- the or the team it's LP this is gonna be just a phenomenal phenomenal that from Boston.

Jack -- sort of addressed a little bit what him and ask your medics found on a little bit of it won't. What can Celtics fans expect -- off the court when they hear about a guy. That -- you know potentially force his way out of situations that he didn't like -- you know but what we're gonna be winning ones are right for him. You know is that he's a guy that obviously is an absolute magnet for technical files and he's gonna get them you know without even trying during the season and you're gonna see that I think no matter what team he's on. Yeah how much. How easily is gonna meld into the Celtics locker room and what they're trying to do and not be the big personality that he seems to -- in almost every stop along the way.

Well want an epic yet. He would not let up a Comcast dot net he should correct. Kevin Garnett at all wore out of vitriol -- rather well I know the little kids in the front two rows that and it turns out its games. I don't like it could -- up but. But -- early this morning outlook on the drive that. Note that.

They've got people comparing him -- red mosque Rasheed Wallace is not ready market did not have. Many off the court issues yet he's a motion tends to -- overflow. During game that huge issue but it talking to people close or she'd lost especially guys like chalk it built up a conversation with -- the -- and it ended years app. Or storage on Rasheed Wallace. He's a great -- can make locket. He's you know not a natural leader that a Garnett -- says but he doesn't need to be in the celtics' locker did he get better -- to -- in there. It gives them under percent every single like you never really -- too often. About Rasheed Wallace not giving under recycle your bottom. Being up that it looked as teenager -- teammates and like playing with Rasheed -- everybody up talk you guys and being honest everybody kept occupation they like. Which -- I think that's gonna carry over -- a big big it was yet. You can have to control him on the portal -- one of paper wrapper is that it's overwhelming emotions at times greater than most teammate that's only in the course negate. Well it's not the courtroom when the -- their back to Lebanon against I think that it wanted the Celtics trailed. You know chorale Rasheed a little bit out -- a veteran leadership on the floor and the coaching staff that is a bit player from the monitor the corralled in a little bit. I keep him under control I think you'll be okay I'll pick your feet forty -- while guy. From 2001 got it checked out and Donna yet -- on the -- 2000 -- those legendary moment first you don't need it got the -- below the media to mean that the bowl teams played hard thing. They it would get the -- is YouTube legend and at this point so I tactic equally at moment I think this it is critically look at the win. -- being a problem at all.

Have we talked to anonymous NBA ref for resources we might get a little -- different picture period Vichy but it who cares about that. One other thing it with a with she'd -- in him being brought in here obviously he's not as big an inside presence as may be was. Earlier in his career he stays on the perimeter a lot more times now but. How much of this can also -- kind of looked at. As may be a little bit of an insurance move for the Celtics just in case Garnett. You know has more knee problems or has some other stuff next season that they have another guy that the going to be able to come -- score some points grabbed some rebounds in case that's an issue.

Like -- articulate step further signature move for both Garnett and Perkins Perkins the guy that. Tech catalog number shoulder problems and you know any point time to get it just feels like -- shall we could go need to require surgery again and can also -- Koppel playing. Apple positions certain insurance policy if they if they need could be but the other brought this guy in could be dapper guy out the best they don't think it would -- it -- without. Rasheed Wallace being that they you know being back up they can't have them and the consistent -- that -- one other other -- gone down at that that the case is way way too much talent. At the top of the NBA so the bill to compete for titles so I think more than anything they want that guy into the back plane that twenty spot the thirty minute per game roll. Apple position because that panic you so he is so I'd get defensively he's so it's such a strong defender and that low post -- look at why why. -- was built ouster Orlando 2007 at 2008 the playoffs you could point specifically to receive while his ability to defend Dwight Howard what I want really -- Hampered only those efforts to -- discordant Detroit and it really was that the primary reason. They roll the windows shared -- think that they are is just overall ability is gonna be such a boon for Boston going forward.

Chris it sounds like that the -- brings out there the next mover is going to be for another veteran player Grant Hill potentially for -- wrong Lou. The Celtics by assigning these veterans are they acknowledging that their window is a two year window and they're gonna. -- for all your next couple this season then reevaluate the the roster in the franchise after those two years.

Yeah I think so I think perhaps there I think they're really -- happy veterans now not about brilliant. A 23 year old kid very even like bring it back Glen Davis. And and -- again I think Glen Davis will turn into a pretty good player in the next three or four years but you know at this point Rasheed Wallace much better fit. Not to play ads and that back up role he's gonna give them more. And that in that that position but yeah I do think degrade he'll come the next gotten -- the -- stations. Would want that be -- they'll -- agent that he's talked about great interest in Boston it's very very strong at this point I think it. Right now -- sort of waiting offers are my my label and is -- is weighing offers from both. Boston and New York I think New -- good -- Real dark horse in this race because -- very colorful playing in New York. Provide the platform it -- for charity foundation and all the other off the court stuff. The cricket -- looks like picnics are gonna be a factor in the -- the Boston have to be in the driver's seat because the money is going to be there regret rubber in Phoenix accepted that one point 81 point nine million dollar biennial exception from the charred. I think it would take extreme kind of deal from Boston because Pickett didn't check the wind. And I think -- it will also be a tremendous -- apparently it to me it looks like bought them at the reloading. Behind these these PJ brown James Posey type players I mean -- ever she's obviously a much better player that PJ brown but he brings similar things -- And -- complain that James -- role may be a little bit more wanting to -- forget about Grant Hill is that you bring him in. Eliminates the need to bring it up pure backup point Arctic racquet went to -- regret way to put for a number of years and betrayed. Put a little bit liquidated out somewhat as Steve -- point guard the fact a point guard back up. In Phoenix I think that you know what all the things he brings the table I think it will be a tremendous did not that the deal that actually the opposite now I think they're they're very good Boston they're pretty dark.

I've gone back to Wallace for one sack anybody else that the Celtics were sort of in on. Had as a contingency we're going after if if she went with San Antonio or somewhere else or anybody that I they'd also kicked the tires on for that mid level exception.

Well I think it Tony McDyess who got it fits that bill I think -- that can -- a big consolation prize out they're for. You know both San Antonio and -- Orlando -- you got it you know it -- quarter she'd almost like Rasheed Wallace blight in the sense that he's not pretty good jump shooter and it people rebound the ball it limited role but he's not quite the defensive player. Ever cheated so I think while Boston was zeroed in on walk and they did have you know a cursory conversations with -- with representatives for McDyess immediately -- expressed an interest at -- Antonio. In in bringing Indians so I think if she want that deal did not get down -- probably would've turned. To McDyess and made an opera and that's all mid level exception but made up a competitive offer try to bring into play that's similar role.

SL for us inquiring minds in the Boston sports mediate area. I think you're busting guys you any relation to the legendary Kevin manic from the bus and Harold.

That is my uncle demand -- me the ropes. -- manageable groups are lingo you know he's not. A tremendous simpler in my -- but also an actual the ball -- How bad this way they're.

You a lot of pedigree there appreciate that. Well Chris no surprise that in the case of a lot of guys -- loss included the wife makes a big part of the decision and he is on his way to Boston as of Wednesday. On good job tracking this story appreciate taken a few minutes here today.

I doubt he got you a lot of undergone alone is gonna be a phenomenal player and I think that that would put bought that. If not in the driver's seat right behind and not behind San Antonio LA Padilla out the NBA title picture.

Loading up on veterans for 20092010. Chris man exports -- Chris great stuff. Areas Chris -- joining us here on the ATT hotline AT&T your world delivered. He's part of leadoff spot here on dale and -- gets warmer -- Ollie I'll boy and ideally that he sister is I didn't there is aghast -- that lead -- spot. The season -- get the Fleming's prime steakhouse and wine bar Fleming's offers a complimentary Mercedes meant to take you from dinner to the game and back. Call 6172920. Wait a wait to reserve yours today.