"I felt as though it was a good fit. One of the things that the guys up here do is play defense. They've been in the what, top three or four in defensive categories -- one and two -- in the last few years, so that's saying a lot about them and their whole defense right there. That's saying a lot about them and their whole defensive scheme. The bottom line is just to win.

"That pretty much swayed me right there. They've got a pretty good group of guys, you know. Every time I played against them, always talking to them on the floor, joshing with them. So I think that it is extra good that we're all teammates."

Teammates aligned in the same direction -- a championship.

"Rasheed has already won one (with Detroit) and come close one other time, so he knows what this is about," said coach Doc Rivers. "He knows the feeling."

Added Danny Ainge, "All I know is KG, Ray (Allen), Paul (Pierce), (Rajon) Rondo, everybody is excited to have him. We put a strong effort in to try to get him and feel very fortunate to have gotten him. He'll be fun to watch. He's a good fit for us, offensively, defensively; his personality fits with our guys."

On the first day free agents could be wooed, Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Ainge, Rivers and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck showed up at Wallace's home to make their pitch.