Before the season started, Blazers forward Rasheed Wallace cryptically told the Portland reporters that a surprise awaited them. And it's turned out to be one of the biggest changes in the NBA: a kinder, gentler Wallace in his dealings with officials.

The Blazers big man ? whose immense talent had been overshadowed by his shameful shenanigans with referees ? has revealed a new side.

It's as surprising as another Wallace ? George ? aligning with bleeding-heart liberals. Rasheed Wallace has forced observers to do double takes after viewing his interactions with referees: occasionally smiling and even patting their backsides. Wallace drew 79 technicals the previous two seasons. This season, the 6-foot-11 forward has been called for six technicals, and has yet to be ejected.

"I think it is Rasheed looking at himself a little more, and saying it's time for him to do something about this," Coach Maurice Cheeks explained to The Oregonian. "So much was made about his technicals last year that he felt he got caught up in it, and it just took over. I just think he doesn't want those things to overshadow him as a player."

Wallace still has his volcanic moments while objecting to calls. And Wallace has yet to go more than three consecutive games without drawing a technical. But one call was for hanging on the rim, so Wallace has actually gone five straight without an oral outburst. And he is much improved from the record pace of last season.

"We know he's going to get technicals from time to time," said teammate and close friend Bonzi Wells, not exactly a peacenik. "But I don't think he will ever get close to 40 again. If we can get him from 40 to 20, that's a big improvement."

Last season, Wallace acted like referees