The Trade For Gerald Wallace Seems To Be Working Out Quite Well For The Blazers

Back on February 24th, when the Blazers traded for Gerald Wallace, it was very apparent that Portland got the better end of the deal.  It's relatively easy to get the "better end" of the deal when one of the teams involved (in this case, the Bobcats) have pretty much given up on their season and/or team for the remainder of the season.

So now, with the playoffs only seven games away, it seems as though Gerald Wallace is exactly what a team like Portland needed to finally, possibly make it out of the first round of the playoffs.  Looking back at all the trade deadline deals that the Blazers were rumored to be involved with, the deal they made for Wallace seems to be the absolute best deal they could have pulled off.  Nothing against Devin Harris or JJ Redick or any other player that was on the Blazers' wish list.  I don't think Harris or Redick would have had anywhere close to the impact that Wallace has brought to the team.

The acquisition of Wallace has certainly gotten the attention of the rest of the league.  I think it's pretty safe to say that Portland tops the list of teams that the Lakers, Mavericks, Spurs and Thunder do not want to see in the first round of the playoffs.

Rob Mahoney, who runs the Off The Dribble blog for the New York Times, has noticed a rejuvenation in Wallace's game since his arrival in Portland.

A change of scenery has made all the difference. The deadline deal that sent Wallace from the water-treading Bobcats to a legitimate playoff club has seemingly re-energized him, as he has been spectacularly productive and efficient as a Portland Trail Blazer. But Wallace’s stylistic return to form has been just as palpable.

Sunday’s game provides a convenient example. Although he picked up just a single steal and block in 45 minutes, he attacked Kevin Durant on defense. Wallace held one of the league’s most productive scorers to 5-of-18 shooting and almost single-handedly prevented him from making a field goal in the game’s final 28 minutes. When at his best, Wallace’s defense is its own offense. It’s not merely smothering or limiting, but a pointed assault on a given target. Wallace locked in and destroyed Sunday, even if his team was narrowly defeated.

Between stellar defensive sequences, Wallace dropped 40 points of his own, continuing in the tremendous two-way performance that has been par for the course during his time with the Blazers. The fact that Wallace sat for only three minutes is quite telling; Portland simply could not afford to have him on the bench...

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl has also taken notice of the Blazers' new found improvement with Wallace on the team.  From the Denver Post story this week, Karl says:

But the Ubaldo-curveball in this whole thing has been Portland's Gerald Wallace, acquired near the trade deadline from Charlotte. He's good. Since joining the Blazers, Wallace has averaged 15.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 16 games.

"I saw him get 40 the other night (against the Thunder) and it scared the heck out of me," Karl said. "It seems like he's getting into a rhythm, playing really well. . . . Everybody talks about our talent and depth, but they're probably one of the more talented and deep teams in basketball too — plus, they have a defensive consciousness."

No matter where the Blazers finish the season, and no matter who they face in the first round, the addition of Gerald Wallace makes the Blazers a huge pain in the ass for any team.  In terms of realistic chances for Portland to advance, I think Dallas is the best matchup for them.  But even the Lakers and Spurs don't scare me as a fan, as much as they did before Portland went out and got Gerald Wallace.