The Wallace who showed up at the Celtics' practice facility Thursday was anything but. Instead, he arrived with his green-clad wife and three kids and showed himself to be quite the loving family man. He was showered with affection, praise and respect by Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and, yes, even Kevin Garnett, who hadn't made a public appearance for this team since late last season, when he went down with a bad knee. Oh, and thanks for asking - KG is doing great.

No, the Rasheed Wallace who showed up for his introductory press conference was anything but the raging maniac that required the NBA to institute a technical foul limit. He comes to the Celtics as a four-time All-Star, an immensely talented big man who'll spread the floor like you can't believe, as well as hit the boards. With Cleveland acquiring Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers Ron Artest and the Magic Vince Carter, this was the move the Celtics had to make, and about the last thing on their mind was that this guy will cost them anything in the volatility department.

"That's like old news to me," said Celts Basketball chief Danny Ainge. "It's been like three, four years. He hasn't had any major issues."

Ainge admits Wallace's past behavior was troublesome, "but it seems like he's improved. I don't think he's a real simple guy."

Which is exactly what his new teammates love about him. Even that tirade against flopping last year was a locker room thing, not something demonstrated on the court. If anything, it just showed his intense desire to win. Indeed, seated at a podium, with Garnett on the far end, the two engaged in a light-hearted battle about intensity. There's little to choose between them.

The other thing about Wallace is that he's a great teammate, nothing like the public on-court lunatic. "The thing I like," Ainge said, "is how much coaches and teammates like him. A guy from the league told me how pleasurable it was to be around him at All-Star Weekend. He was his favorite."

Garnett and Wallace were both a part of the 1995 draft, going to Minnesota and Washington, respectively. Over the years they've developed a healthy respect and friendship, so when Garnett heard that Wallace, who just finished a five-and-a-half-year stint in Detroit, was a free agent and might be available, his ears perked up. "Excited? You have no idea," he said. Garnett had already discreetly asked Wallace about his plans, trying to feel him out. "How'd he get my number?" Wallace asked. "I don't know."

So the Celtics hatched a plan. Pierce, Allen and Garnett all rendezvoused in Boston last Thursday, and with Ainge, Doc Rivers and Wyc Grousbeck, they hopped on a private plane and flew to Detroit. They arrived at a Detroit hotel, where Wallace was planning to meet only with the Boston front office people. From around a corner, the new modern-day Big 3 appeared. Wallace was blown away. "I didn't think he had any idea," Pierce said. "It shows the commitment we had to him."

Wallace already knew of the greatness of the Celtics , from the championship season, although, "I will admit," he said, "I was a doubter when they brought in Kevin and Ray. I didn't know if they could play together. They shocked everyone. They proved me wrong. They proved everyone wrong."

So he knew that he would be a perfect fit. What he pumped them about in that meeting was about schools, getting to and from the Garden, the practice facility, the fans. That kind of stuff. "They said it was a sports town," he said. "They said the fans got your back."

It turned out to be an easy sell. He'd been courted by San Antonio, Orlando, Cleveland and Dallas, but barely two days after the visit, he'd already made up his mind. And then, once he did, the Big 3 showed up again Thursday in Waltham, flooring him once again. "They didn't have to come here today," he said, impressed with the team unity.

Said Garnett, whom Ainge said will be ready for opening night: "I feel like a teenager again." He said he's having trouble sleeping, just thinking about the upcoming season.

Pierce said, "I picture it every day. When you get that type of lineup, arguably it's one of the best lineups in the NBA. I'm kind of like a kid in a candy store."

Rivers, whose life changed when Garnett and Allen signed up two years ago, is feeling like the manager of the candy store. "I love what he represents for our Basketball team," he said.

The significant part of this acquisition is the illustration of what the Celtics have become. It is a committed, single-minded, focused unit, from Ainge to Rivers to his veteran players, each of whom has one goal in mind and a vision of how to accomplish it. This isn't Pat Riley telling his Miami organization how it'll be. This is a collaboration, not unlike Red Auerbach getting together with Russell and Cousy to discuss ways to improve their teams.

They have become the NBA's best salesmen.

"We were trying to sell (Wallace) on our program," Ainge said, "and he was trying to sell us how he could help us. He didn't have to do much really. With Rasheed, it came down to him being the best fit. Those three guys will do anything to win. This was a pretty easy sell."

Reach Mike Fine at mikefine@ledger.com. Read more of his Celtics coverage in his On the Hardwood blog at PatriotLedger.com/sports