NEW YORK — Rasheed Wallace will not be rescuing the New York Knicks in the playoffs. If someone comes out of nowhere to help them, it will be well-traveled center Earl Barron.
One day after signing Quentin Richardson after the release of Kurt Thomas, the Atlantic Division champs made another roster move.
On the final day of the regular season, and the last day for a player to sign and be playoff-eligible, Knicks VP of basketball operations Glen Grunwald announced the team has signed center Earl Barron.
Wallace, who tried playing Monday night after missing most of the season with a foot injury, has retired.
Barron, 7-0, 245-pounds, holds career averages of 4.9 points, on 37.5-percent shooting, and 3.6 rebounds over 14.7 minutes in 123 games (29 starts) over six seasons with Miami, New York, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Portland, Golden State and Washington. He last played in 11 games (one start) for Washington this season, averaging 2.5 points and 3.9 rebounds over 11.1 minutes, before being waived on Dec. 23.
The Clarksdale, MS-native, appeared in seven games (six starts) for New York in 2009-10, averaging 11.7 points and 11.0 rebounds over 33.1 minutes.
“Rasheed has given this team everything he had,” coach Mike Woodson said. “He is a winner, true professional and leader on and off the court. Due to his injury, he will not be available to play for us during the playoffs. We owe this season’s success to veterans like Rasheed.”
Wallace, 6-11, 245-pounds, averaged 7.0 points, on 38.7-percent shooting, and 4.0 rebounds over 14.1 minutes in 21 games this season. In his 15th NBA season Wallace missed 60 games due to an injured left foot. On Feb. 27, new X-rays showed progression to a fractured left fifth metatarsal and he had surgery on Feb. 28.
I have been playing and watching since the early 70’s. Right now it is totally different, pure playground. How can the Knick pretend they have “plays”, or “defensive rotation” or chemistry if 2 players who have never played can just step right in. All the offensive players do is space it for Anthony to go one on one, all the defensive players do is “give a hard foul”..