Big contract for "Big Ben" could mean big changes in Central

[ducks]

Big contract for "Big Ben" could mean big changes in Central

October 28, 2006
By Drew Silverman
SportsTicker Staff Writer

BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Ben Wallace has excelled in a variety of roles throughout his NBA career. Among them are undrafted free agent, surprise All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year and NBA champion.

But franchise savior is a totally different ballpark.

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After spurning the Detroit Pistons to sign a four-year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in the offseason, Wallace is expected to be the missing piece to the puzzle in the "Windy City."

That's an awful lot of pressure on a guy who averaged fewer points than Matt Carroll and Matt Bonner last season and whose free-throw percentage was lower than 95 other players' field-goal percentage.

But the Bulls certainly did not sign Wallace for his offense. They went after him because he is one of the NBA's premier defensive players and because his experience, intensity and leadership skills can only help one of the league's youngest teams.

"I am thrilled to have Ben Wallace as a Bull," general manager John Paxson said. "The things we strive for here make him a perfect fit for us."

In simple terms, Wallace is a game-changer.

He goes after offensive rebounds as if his life depends on them and protects the paint as if to warn opponents from driving the lane in the future. But for all the elements that Wallace brings to the table, the focus oftentimes is on his shortcomings as a complete player.

Wallace's primary weakness is at the free-throw line, where he made just 41.6 percent of his attempts last season. He is a career 41.8 percent shooter from the stripe, including a mind-boggling 27 percent (18-of-66) last postseason, when he was benched late in crucial games because of his shortcomings.

"Ben Wallace is not a great shooter and everyone talks about his free-throw troubles," Paxson said. "I am not worried about the scoring issue because you will win a lot of games by defending and rebounding. We will be a good defensive team."

The Bulls already were a good defensive team. Last season, they held their opponents to a league-low 42.6 percent shooting and ranked sixth in the NBA by forcing 14.3 turnovers per game.

In the first round of the playoffs, they limited the Miami Heat to 92 points or fewer three times before ultimately suc bing to the eventual NBA champions in six games.

While Wallace will be in the spotlight this season, he still will only have to be a role player of sorts on a team that is loaded with young talent. Chicago literally has the bottom of the age spectrum covered with rookie Tyrus Thomas (20 years old), Luol Deng (21), rookie Thabo Sefolosha (22), Ben Gordon (23), Chris Duhon (24), Kirk Hinrich (25) and Andres Nocioni (26).

However, the Bulls also have their share of veterans. In addition to signing the 32-year-old Wallace, Paxson traded underachieving center Tyson Chandler to the New Orleans Hornets for respected veteran P.J. Brown. He also brought in defensive specialist Adrian Griffin for added depth to a roster that just might have the ideal mix of youngsters and veterans.

"Guys like Ben and P.J. will really help our young guys," said Bulls coach Scott Skiles, whose team used a late surge to finish 41-41 last season. "I am glad they are here."

"Getting Adrian back is great and P.J. has great reputation," Hinrich added. "Ben is the premier defender in the league. All the guys were great pickups."

The Bulls are expected to be one of the premier teams in the Eastern Conference and should contend for the Central Division le. But the reality is that the Pistons have won the division four of the last five years and are not going to go quietly.

Only time will tell if the balance of power in the Central accompanies Wallace from Detroit to Chicago. But in the early stages of the campaign, the Bulls certainly like their chances.

"I don't think the balance of power has shifted," Wallace said. "We are just looking to go out and compete with the elite teams in the league. We won't sell ourselves short."

"We can compete against anybody," Hinrich said. "Defensively, we will be the best team in the league again and offensively we will be good."

But simply being "good" offensively might not be enough to win a division that appears to be one of the NBA's toughest. In addition to the hardened Pistons, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers are expected to contend for the top spot.

"(Signing Wallace) probably makes Chicago a favorite in most people's eyes," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "Chicago was a very good basketball team last year and they're going to be a very good basketball team this year. ... The Central Division is still the toughest division in the NBA."

Granted, Chicago doesn't have Detroit's experience or a superstar the likes of Cleveland's LeBron James or Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal. But Paxson has compiled a deep and talented roster that can match up defensively with any team in the league.

While the Bulls' bandwagon currently has standing room only, Cavaliers forward Donyell Marshall is not jumping on board just yet.

"They still have to find themselves," said Marshall, who played for the Bulls from 2002-03. "Chicago made moves, but last year they were a perimeter-oriented scoring team. They still are. Ben Wallace is not going to score for you. P.J. Brown is going to play defense, but he's not necessarily going to come in and score. So they are still going to be the same type of team."

While Marshall isn't convinced, James knows a good team when he sees one - and he sees several in the Central Division alone.

"Our division, the Central, is the hardest division in the NBA," James said. "Every team in our division made it to the playoffs last year. So with Ben leaving, and Flip (Cavs guard Flip Murray) going to Detroit, and Charlie Villaneuva went to Milwaukee, and Al Harrington going back to Indy, it's going to be very compe ive in our division again."

Of the five Central teams, Detroit led the charge with a 64-18 record while Milwaukee finished last despite a respectable 40-42 mark.

But while in previous years, when every team in the Central was chasing the Pistons from the get-go, that might not be the case this season.

"We relied on Ben so long," Detroit forward Tayshaun Prince said. "But it's to the point now where we have to rely on each other. ... It's going to be more of a collective effort. We've got a lot of long, athletic guys on this team, so we'll be fine."

To replace Wallace, the Pistons signed free agent center Nazr Mohammed, an upgrade on offense but nowhere near as impactful as his predecessor. Whether or not the Pistons will be OK without Wallace remains to be seen, but the Bulls don't have to worry about the issue any longer as "Big Ben" is now on their side.

"It gives us more confidence on defense and also on the offensive end," Gordon said. "If you go shoot a shot in traffic, guys like Ben and P.J. Brown will help recover those types of missed shots so we get second chances."

"I am excited to be here and get started," Wallace added. "I like the guys the organization and the opportunity to do something different. It's a little different (being in a Bulls uniform), but I look good in red and white."

[G-Money]

Ben will be traded next year once the bulls relize they ed up.

[Bob Lanier]

Franchise savior is new for Ben? Despite what he did in Detroit?