Big (Ben) Summer Signing
The following was originally posted on my other site, Sports Sphere.Former Detroit Pistons center and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace is signing with the Chicago Bulls. The deal is reportedly worth $52 million over the course of four years.
At this moment, I can picture Bull diehards dancing in the streets while basking in their glory.
This signing will go a long way towards making the Bulls a true title contender. Yes, you read that correctly, they will be in contention for a NBA Championship. I dare to say the Bulls could have beat the Heat had Ben Wallace been on the roster. They had nobody able to defender strong players like Shaq; Tyson "Twig" Chandler got eaten alive.
Ben Wallace will help improving Chicago’s respectability. More so than anything, respect from the refs will be huge. With a star player like Big Ben, Shaq won’t be able to throw so many elbows.
The fact that this deal is worth only $4 million more than the Pistons’ 4 year, $48 million offer shows me he had a real problem with Flip Saunders’ coaching style. Ben Wallace knows that Scott Skiles is going to be stressing defense while still running on offense.
Of course, with all great moves, there are still some down sides. Critics, and I am included in this group, say his game rapidly declining. I feel he will only be a shadow of himself by the time his deal is complete; Wallace will be 36 years old.
In addition, Chicago needs a post scorer. They do still have around $6 million in cap space, but most quality big men are overpriced (the oft injured Nene just signed a 6 year, $60 million contract). There have been rumors that Chicago already has a deal involving Tyson Chandler allowing for the acquisition of a more offensive oriented post player. Depending on who you believe, Tyson might be on the move in trades to get PJ Brown and JR Smith from the Hornets or Troy Murphy of the Warriors.
To me, what can’t be overlooked in this trade is the example Ben Wallace will be setting for Tyrus Thomas and, if Chicago keeps him, Tyson Chandler. They both will be able to learn how to be a defensive stopper from a multiple time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year award. By the time this contract is up, I could see Tyrus Thomas being Ben Wallace Version 2.0.
For now, Chicago will have to feel very good about their roster. The depth is truly incredible; and young. I frequent RealGM message boards, and trust me, teams are worried about the Chicago Bulls of the future (there is quite a bit of talk about how "scary" they will be). They have four young players on the verge of stardom (Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni, and, to a lesser extent, Luol Deng) to go with Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefolosha, Chris Duhon, Tyson Chandler, Michael Sweetney, and now Ben Wallace.
Sorry for going in a tangent there at the end, but I have to go dance in the street!
