There has been some mention that Ben has been left out of the new offence. Without first referring to any stats I agree that it does feel that way a bit. So I thought I would check out some stats to see if this feeling is justified.

Here are Ben's stats comparing this season so far (17 games) to last season.
--- MIN PTS REB AST STL BLK T/O FG% FT%
'05 36.1 9.7 12.2 1.7 1.43 2.38 1.1 45.3 42.7
'06 35.5 9.0 11.5 1.8 1.47 1.71 1.0 48.6 50.0

Offensively his points are only down a little (0.7), however his FG% is up. I think the thing skewing his points production is the fact the pistons as a team are up 6.6 from last season. Every other piston starter with the exception of sheed has upped their point production on last year.

Rip - 21.8 (up 3.1)
CB - 18.2 (up 1.7)
Tay - 15.9 (up 1.2)
Sheed - 14.5 (no change)

Most of his points seem to be coming from dunks and layups due to drives and dishes from CB and Rip, as well as the occasional lob and offensive put-back. His jumpshot seems to be seen less frequently this season. His FT shooting has been better, apart from that atrocity against the Clips.

The effort is still there even though it appears he has been playing through some minor injury. He has been getting a lot of tap-outs if he can't actually rebound the ball as well. This has been exceptional and doesn't register on the stat sheet.

I think the way things are going at the moment there is no real need to get Ben more involved. I don't feel there is a strong need to run many plays for him specifically. He can't post himself up well and usually ends in a fadeaway or losing the ball, his jumpshot is not a consistent option right now and he is not good at going one-on-one.

As long as he gets enough touches and passes in the offensive flow, such as the high and low pick and passing to cutters in the lane from the post, and if he keeps active on the offensive glass, teams will have to respect where he is on the floor on the offensive end.

The thing I would like to see from him is work on a baseline jumper like Dyess does. That shot would be there for him a lot without having to run specific plays for it just because that open shot is a result of penetration from the guards and good passing; things that are already happening.

I have only seen half of the games this season but from the material presented I would have to say: MYTH

However, there is room for improvement. Thoughts or opinions?

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One important statistic you forgot to look at is his shot attempts per game. They're down to just over six per game, as opposed to about 9 when LB was here.

Incidentally, six is also what he averaged when RC was here.

It's hard to argue with the offensive success, but it does appear that Ben is getting fewer touches.

It did sound to me like he is upset with his "touches" last night when he said "no comment" when the question was posed to him. All I can say is...

1. His offensive rebounds are down by a full rebound a game this year. That's 1 shot right there that he used to get on his own, that he's not working for.

2. If he wants to become an offensive weapon he needs to learn how to make free throws. There is nothing worse than having him go one-on-one and end up (A) Turning it over, (B) Bricking a hideous looking shot, (C) Getting to the line and missing both. Those are the 3 most common scenarios.

3. If he still insists on getting his touches at the expense of the team, then he needs to tune out his hype, and get with the picture. Him getting all sorts of touches doesn't do anything good for this team. He is better saving most of his energy for defense and rebounding. While still keeping the defense on their toes by throwing down some lobs.

Would he be more happy if he was getting 15 shots a game and we were losing? I know it's sacreligeous to question Ben as a Piston fan, but if he starts b*tching about "touches" as one of the worst offensive players in the league I don't care.

Since when is Ben wanting more touches? This is certainly news to me. You will have to show me some more than your honest opinion about what his lack of comment means for me to take it seriously. Has this concern ever been mentioned before. Maybe I have just been oblivious to it, please let me know.

So was I, untill I read the article in the detroit news. He mentions how he's not happy with "his game". Saying, and I quote, "I'm just out there running around. I'm sick of this sh*t". Then someone asks him if he wants more touches, and he says "no comment". Ben is not the type of guy to get all touchy about these things if it isn't true. A typical Ben response would be "Naw, it's nothing like that". Hell, I would expect him to shrug it off even if it were true. But "No Comment?" That tells me there's some validity to it.

Maybe he and Flip don't see eye-to-eye? Could it have something to do with LB's routine of giving Ben the first touch of the game everynight (even though it was a throw away possession 90% of the time)?

Okay, you're starting to bring me around. I did read the article but I didn't interpret it the same way, but I think you're comments could be right on. I am waiting to see what happens/what is said before, during and after next game. Sure hope everything works out though. Can't let any continue too long into the season!

As Bens touches have gone down Sheeds have gone up. Which Wallace would you rather have backing someone down in the post? This is one issue that I agee with. Last year Ben took too many shots that Sheed could and should have been taking.

My take on Bens comments is that he is mainly frusterated with his overall play. His 1st job is defense and rebounding.

still, Ben is a underrated passer. Maybe that's where his complainnig about not getting involved offensively comes from.

Ben's decreasing offensive touches is definitely due to Flip's offense. In past years, Ben would often be the one keying the offense from the elbow. Now Flip has Rasheed doing that. And to be honest, it makes more sense that way - Rasheed is a better mid-range jump shooter, passer and ball handler.

The problem is that if Ben doesn't touch the ball to start things out, there really is no good reason he should touch it that often on offense. He is a good passer, but defenders tend to sag on him cutting down the passing options. And he definitely doesn't draw extra defenders to him so that doesn't really open up any players. I agree that Ben is an underrated passer, but most likely Sheed is better because of the defensive reaction when he has his the ball.

They should try to give him more slashing to the hole options. But the reality is his offensive role is going to be reduced if he doesn't get that initial touch at the elbow. That may be frustrating to him, but the offense seems to run better with Sheed being the main big-man passer.

But I still get the feeling there is something else going on, because the Ben we knew the last few years wouldn't let a little less offensive activity bother his defensive domination. And definitely wouldn't have spawned some of the "I'm lost and upset" comments coming from Ben's mouth of late.

Maybe he is more injured than he lets on. But in that case, lets give him some games off to get healthy, - condition Dale, maybe develop Darko/Maxiel (whoever you want).

30% fewer touches = less involvement.

New offense which is centered on Bens worst skill, jump shooting.

Not good by any standard when you are in a contract year.

It didn't take long for his discontent to surface. He is only human.

Long socks, goggles....., a FRO used to be enough. What identity is Ben searching for?