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Signing Big Ben Welcome Addition Or New Low For Pistons?
I understand, in theory, why there is a spot for Ben Wallace on the Pistons.
He doesn’t cost much by NBA standards in terms of salary - $1.3 million. He doesn’t cost anything in regard to the salary cap.
The Pistons badly need inside presence. That five- to-10 minutes per game Big Ben may give the Pistons could be important. Well, maybe that’s a stretch.
I find the coming together of the two parties to be a bizarre remarriage. This is not a hero returning to the fold. It’s more like a divorced couple getting back together because it helps take care of the rent for both while they are struggling.
When Chauncey Billups returned to The Palace with the Nuggets this past season, he was treated like a king by the Pistons, and given extremely warm welcome by fans.
When Big Ben would come back, there would be no extra inflection in Mason’s golden voice when introducing him. The fans booed. They particularly enjoyed him clanking his free throws - for the other team.
The Pistons are the masters of spin - and I mean that as a compliment. They will eventually convince the media and fans that this is, indeed, a hero returning for his swan song - or something like it.
However, it should be noted:
- The night of The Palace brawl, Big Ben provided the matchstick to Ron Artest and the crowd because he just wouldn’t calm down.
- He was downright insubordinate to his coach, Flip Saunders, during a game in Orlando.
- He is a horrible offensive player, who spent much of his last couple years with the Pistons sulking because he did get the ball enough.
- When Big Ben left, it was almost as if he turned his nose up at this town. Yeah, he got a little more money to play in Chicago. But if there was ever a player who should have considered the hometown discount it was Ben Wallace. Or at least been sad to move on. Instead, it was like he was gloating.
This town and the Pistons made Ben Wallace. What’s he been since he left other than grossly overpaid?
All of a sudden, he’s grateful for it? How convenient. Are the Pistons really improving their team by signing Big Ben?
Or stooping to a new low?
He doesn’t cost much by NBA standards in terms of salary - $1.3 million. He doesn’t cost anything in regard to the salary cap.
The Pistons badly need inside presence. That five- to-10 minutes per game Big Ben may give the Pistons could be important. Well, maybe that’s a stretch.
I find the coming together of the two parties to be a bizarre remarriage. This is not a hero returning to the fold. It’s more like a divorced couple getting back together because it helps take care of the rent for both while they are struggling.
When Chauncey Billups returned to The Palace with the Nuggets this past season, he was treated like a king by the Pistons, and given extremely warm welcome by fans.
When Big Ben would come back, there would be no extra inflection in Mason’s golden voice when introducing him. The fans booed. They particularly enjoyed him clanking his free throws - for the other team.
The Pistons are the masters of spin - and I mean that as a compliment. They will eventually convince the media and fans that this is, indeed, a hero returning for his swan song - or something like it.
However, it should be noted:
- The night of The Palace brawl, Big Ben provided the matchstick to Ron Artest and the crowd because he just wouldn’t calm down.
- He was downright insubordinate to his coach, Flip Saunders, during a game in Orlando.
- He is a horrible offensive player, who spent much of his last couple years with the Pistons sulking because he did get the ball enough.
- When Big Ben left, it was almost as if he turned his nose up at this town. Yeah, he got a little more money to play in Chicago. But if there was ever a player who should have considered the hometown discount it was Ben Wallace. Or at least been sad to move on. Instead, it was like he was gloating.
This town and the Pistons made Ben Wallace. What’s he been since he left other than grossly overpaid?
All of a sudden, he’s grateful for it? How convenient. Are the Pistons really improving their team by signing Big Ben?
Or stooping to a new low?
Labels: Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace Flip Saunders Ron Artest
posted by Pat Caputo at
1:25 PM
13 Comments
