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**spongyfungy** · 12-14-2005, 10:55 AM

Beneath the happy surface of a 15-3 start, a potentially troubling issue is bubbling for the Pistons. Ben Wallace has not been Ben Wallace."
When Kris Humphries of Utah dunks in his face, posterizes him without much resistance, something is wrong. When the Pistons get outrebounded for eight straight games, including a 55-27 drubbing by the Jazz on Monday night, something is wrong.

When the Jazz get 16 layups and dunks, the night after the Clippers get 19 layups and dunks and score 58 points in the lane, something is wrong.

Not all of that is on him, of course, but when Ben Wallace isn't in the top three in the NBA in rebounds and blocks -- well, he's not being Ben Wallace.

"I don't know what's going on," a visibly frustrated Wallace said after getting six rebounds and four points (on three shots) in a 92-78 loss Monday. "I don't even know what my role is. I am just out there running around. … I am sick of this …"

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...512140305/1127

**Brian** · 12-14-2005, 11:18 AM

Those comments by Ben are disturbing. He seems to be upset with the lack of touches on offense. Maybe if he wasn't our worst offense player he would get more touches. I don't understand what he expects.

**spongyfungy** · 12-14-2005, 11:22 AM

Larry insisted that Ben gets the ball in the paint to try to score, correct? I believe McDyess also complained about getting jumpers rather then scoring downlow as well.

I think this year being a contract year for him, he needs to boost his numbers up on both ends of the court.

Midnight_Marauder · 12-14-2005, 11:28 AM

This isnt much to worry about....but small stuff like this is when you will notice the LB, Saunders difference...LB made sure Ben got involved in the offense to keep him happy and stay interested....

**Brian** · 12-14-2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spongyfungy

Larry insisted that Ben gets the ball in the paint to try to score, correct? I believe McDyess also complained about getting jumpers rather then scoring downlow as well.

I think this year being a contract year for him, he needs to boost his numbers up on both ends of the court.

LB would always have Billups dump it into Wallace on the first posession of the game. It was actually pretty funny because he always did it. Other then that he might have given it to him 3 or 4 more times a game in the post but he never got the ball consistently to Ben. I really would hate to see the pistons sign him to a long term deal. Joe D has a pontential mess on his hands. Signing him long term would be bad; trading him would be a pr nightmare.

MLKG · 12-14-2005, 11:56 AM

I couldn't really tell if by "I don't know what my role is" Ben is reffering to offense or just reffering to the fact if he's not rebounding and blocking shots and being his normal self then he doesn't really have a role.

JonathanL · 12-14-2005, 12:21 PM

I doubt this is about offense. Well, this is just a guess, but I think this has something to do with Flip trying to make Ben adjust his game to allow him to be effective on defense even after his athletism declines. I've learned from my own experience that it can be pretty frustrating when your coach wants you to adjust your game since you've become accustomed to your style of play.

**Brian** · 12-14-2005, 01:03 PM

This is from the very same article

Quote:

It might have something to do with his role in the offense, which is shrinking. When asked whether he felt as if he wasn't involved enough offensively, he ended the interview.

"I don't have no more comment," he said.

Saunders acknowledged that might be part of the problem, part of the reason Wallace feels as if he's running around without much purpose on offense.

"What has happened is that some of our guys have gotten off to real good starts," Saunders said. "Rip (Hamilton), Tayshaun (Prince) and 'Sheed (Rasheed Wallace) have been so good, what's happened is, we haven't utilized Ben enough offensively. We've talked about this. We probably need to get him more touches and get him involved more in what we are doing at that end."

Wallace has averaged fewer than five shots the last seven games.

"We do have to play off him more," Saunders said. "But what has happened is, we have scored a lot off of our first options. We haven't had to turn it over and get to our second and third options, which would include him more."

Under coaches Rick Carlisle and Larry Brown, Wallace had very defined responsibilities on the offensive end. Carlisle basically told him to stay out of the way and try to get offensive rebounds. Brown ran basic post plays for him.

Saunders is asking Wallace and the rest of the team to read defenses and make decisions based on how they react.

Copper · 12-14-2005, 01:27 PM

I think Bens frustration has part to do with his aches and pains hampering his effectiveness, and part to do with the new offensive system and defensive scheme Flip has brought in. The defense is much more zone and Flip doesnt want the bigs helping out on the weak side as much( I remember an article where he wants them to stay home more). On the offensive end Sheed is pretty much the only big that gets the ball in the post, and that is a set play whereas the rest of the time the bigs are 10-15 ft away from the hole and that is nowhere near Bens range. Ben needs to be in the paint to be effective and the system calls for the opposite. It will be a transition period for him and Flip but Im sure they will figure it out.

greekbullsfan · 12-14-2005, 03:38 PM

beware guys we are ready to take him in the summer or will u pull the trigger for a trade with us?
delfino,arroyo,wallace for gordon, TT(EXPIRING CONTRACT),tc,1st rounder,2nd rounder

**STUCKEY!** · 12-14-2005, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekbullsfan

beware guys we are ready to take him in the summer or will u pull the trigger for a trade with us?
delfino,arroyo,wallace for gordon, TT(EXPIRING CONTRACT),tc,1st rounder,2nd rounder

keep dreaming

Pacers Fan · 12-14-2005, 06:13 PM

Demand a trade, Ben!

JustinSane · 12-14-2005, 06:53 PM

If Ben is unhappy with his role, I'm sure we could come up with a mutually beneficial side and trade after the season. Ben is an important part of this team. But right now, each of the other starters are more important to the team than Ben Wallace. Given his age, he may be replaceable. I hope we can re-sign him, but it's not the end of the world if he decides to go elsewhere. Chicago probably wouldn't give Gordon for him, but they may part with Deng or Chandler in a sign and trade.

Copper · 12-14-2005, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacers Fan

Demand a trade, Ben!

LMAO!!!

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