An enthusiastic Knicks fan with nothing better to do stretched and strained to get in Rasheed Wallace's ear.

While the Nets were taking apart Detroit last Tuesday, he leaned forward and yelled whenever the enigmatic big man got within range. The verbal barrage was relentless. And strangely polite.

"Hey, Rasheed," the desperate man said over and over. "Please come play for the Knicks next season."

Wallace might be the perfect fit on a team desperate for post scoring and physical defense, and he's not completely unattainable. A lengthy playoff run is all but guaranteed with the noted free thinker holding court alongside Stephon Marbury, Allan Houston and Tim Thomas. Several teams on the verge are going to come forth with handsome offers.