With Bulls struggling, the local media is all over the team. And that, of course, includes our good friend Ben. He's being accused of different things. One of them is his leadership:


Not to blame anyone in particular, because they are all at fault, and blame Ben Wallace less for his disinterested play than his disinterest in becoming a captain. Four players—Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon and Luol Deng—applied for the captaincy. Hinrich and Deng were voted on by the team. The team also voted on whether Wallace could wear his headband. Perhaps they should OK it only if he rebounds.

But it was most disturbing on a team known to be without vocal leadership that the only true successful veteran and All-Star declined to even be nominated for the position.


Hey, Bulls: Shake up lineup on ChicagoSports.com (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-071111smith,1,1984765.column?page=1)

Wallace looks like a leader. He isn't. The Pistons let him pretend to be to get more out of him. Wallace will try. He just doesn't deal well with the pressure. Sure, sure, you're supposed to for all that money. Forget that. It made sense at the time to acquire Wallace. Everyone around the NBA thought it was a terrific move. The Bulls have to make the best of it.

I wonder how much truth is to that?

I think I remember reading that Ben wanted to leave the official captain role to the younger guys because he views it as a symbolic position that will build their confidence. He leads by example.

Sheed doesn't want to be captain for Det, but he is still a leader.


Ben's problem is that he can't give a good example on the court right now.

"The Pistons let him pretend...."

That quote reminded me of this famous quote


Rick Blaine

[to Laszlo] She tried everything to get them, and nothing worked. She did her best to convince me that she was still in love with me, but that was all over long ago. For your sake, she pretended it wasn't, and I let her pretend.

Casablanca - Wikiquote (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Casablanca)

:hoops:

Here's looking at you, Buddah.

ben isn't a leader. he never led when he was on the pistons. dude gives up on teams when things don't go his way. skiles isn't the right coach to get the most out of ben. it's kinda like when rodman never was the same after daly wasn't there. ben hasn't been the same since lb and him parted ways.

I was so glad the Pistons didn't mach the Bulls' offer and now I am even more. He was a Piston in his glory and this is how I'll remember him. That Ben who's playing for the Bulls right now is someone else who isn't interesting at all, overpaid and on his rapid way down.

Here's looking at you, Buddah.

Boy you can say that again. At my age and with my deteriorating looks its a miracle when I can even get a female traffic cop to look at me when I jay walk.

:hoops:

ben isn't a leader. he never led when he was on the pistons. dude gives up on teams when things don't go his way. skiles isn't the right coach to get the most out of ben. it's kinda like when rodman never was the same after daly wasn't there. ben hasn't been the same since lb and him parted ways.

Maybe Ben should get Rodman to coach him?


Dennis Rodman Wants to Coach in the WNBA

http://www.aolcdn.com/fanhouse/matt-watson/ (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/bloggers/matt-watson/)Posted Nov 11th 2007 9:40PM by Matt Watson (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/bloggers/matt-watson/)
Filed under: NBA Gossip (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/nba-gossip/), Atlanta (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/atlanta/), The Word (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/category/the-word/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/sports.aol.com/fanhouse/media/2007/11/dennis-rodman-180-285.jpgDennis Rodman (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/tag/DennisRodman/) is in the news, which isn't all that surprising considering he's a renowned publicity hound. This time, he's looking to break into the coaching fraternity (sorority?) starting with a job in the WNBA. Atlanta is getting a new franchise, and The Worm is throwing his hat into the mix to lead it. From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/stories/2007/11/10/rodman_1111.html):
"I love the city of Atlanta," Rodman said through a spokesman, adding that he's spent a lot of time here recently. "... Atlanta would be the ideal situation, starting from scratch."




Oops sorry, wrong league.

Dennis Rodman Wants to Coach in the WNBA - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/11/dennis-rodman-wants-to-coach-in-the-wnba/)

:hoops:

I'm convinced that Ben Wallace never really settled in Chicago. His career is over as far as being a force in the NBA. He will go quietly into the night now that he's lifted his imprint on the Bulls...........

I'm really disappointed that the Bulls decided the headband issue by majority vote.

It's clearly a case of the tyranny of the majority ruling the minority. What about all of the players who are distracted or outraged at Ben's headband?

The two captains should use executive orders to outlaw the headband from the locker room and hallways, making it impossible for Ben to procure one prior to gametime. They can fight the headbands over there, so they don't have to fight them over here.

Until the Supreme Coaching Staff has a chance to review this case, that executive order might be the best compromise.

Don't hate Ben for his cornrows and contract.

This is a war on headbands.

I'm really disappointed that the Bulls decided the headband issue by majority vote.

It's clearly a case of the tyranny of the majority ruling the minority. What about all of the players who are distracted or outraged at Ben's headband?

The two captains should use executive orders to outlaw the headband from the locker room and hallways, making it impossible for Ben to procure one prior to gametime. They can fight the headbands over there, so they don't have to fight them over here.

Until the Supreme Coaching Staff has a chance to review this case, that executive order might be the best compromise.

Don't hate Ben for his cornrows and contract.

This is a war on headbands.

If Luther Head wears a headband is he considered a head case?

Bonzi wears a nice looking headband.

:hoops:

I love Ben and I'm happy that the Bulls is paying him the doughs which we owed him.

ben isn't a leader. he never led when he was on the pistons. dude gives up on teams when things don't go his way. skiles isn't the right coach to get the most out of ben. it's kinda like when rodman never was the same after daly wasn't there. ben hasn't been the same since lb and him parted ways.

Yeah, Ben hasn't been the same, but Rodman - I mean, he REALLY wasn't the same, ya know? :pound:

What the heck is wrong with ...
1. Ben Wallace (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3149/;_ylt=Asf0mWuttAoUs6A8DcuNRqmzvLYF)? Of all the problems the Bulls face, Wallace is the biggest. The Bulls are on the hook for three years and $44 million and, at age 33, the athleticism that used to help Wallace grab 12-plus rebounds and block 3 shots per game just isn't there. He's averaging 3.5 points and 4.8 rebounds, and has blocked just seven shots in six games.


Bulls coach Scott Skiles has even been keeping Wallace on the bench in fourth quarters. "I think part of the chemistry problem there stems from Wallace's contract. If you are [Ben] Gordon or [Luol] Deng, and you see Wallace making $15 million to go out and get three points and six rebounds, you're probably going to wonder why they aren't paying you."
Spotting early NBA trends - NBA - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ak5qdPRS.EgQBpQb1FsZeOK8vLYF?slug=spotti ngearlynbatrends&prov=tsn&type=lgns)


:hoops:

"If you are [Ben] Gordon or [Luol] Deng, and you see Wallace making $15 million to go out and get three points and six rebounds, you're probably going to wonder why they aren't paying you."

Yeah, or they see Wallace wearing a headband to go out and get three points and six rebounds, and wonder "Why aren't we allowed to wear a headband?".

I'm really disappointed that the Bulls decided the headband issue by majority vote.

It's clearly a case of the tyranny of the majority ruling the minority. What about all of the players who are distracted or outraged at Ben's headband?

The two captains should use executive orders to outlaw the headband from the locker room and hallways, making it impossible for Ben to procure one prior to gametime. They can fight the headbands over there, so they don't have to fight them over here.

Until the Supreme Coaching Staff has a chance to review this case, that executive order might be the best compromise.

Don't hate Ben for his cornrows and contract.

This is a war on headbands.

I love you, man.

Bulls coach Scott Skiles has even been keeping Wallace on the bench in fourth quarters. "I think part of the chemistry problem there stems from Wallace's contract. If you are [Ben] Gordon or [Luol] Deng, and you see Wallace making $15 million to go out and get three points and six rebounds, you're probably going to wonder why they aren't paying you."

Ah. There it is. I knew that it was only a matter a time until someone blamed the Bulls woes on that lazy, untalented, old, selfish Defensive Player of the Year multiple times Ben Wallace. I wondered why it wasn't a thread a few weeks ago. Some of you Ben Haters are falling down on the job. You know who you are.

TOTAL BS.

Ah. There it is. I knew that it was only a matter a time until someone blamed the Bulls woes on that lazy, untalented, old, selfish Defensive Player of the Year multiple times Ben Wallace. I wondered why it wasn't a thread a few weeks ago. Some of you Ben Haters are falling down on the job. You know who you are.

TOTAL BS.

It seems to me that no regular forum member here is a "Ben Hater". Some members may have been and possibly are still upset that he left us to go play for are division arch rival, but that is not being a "Ben Hater". Some regular members may feel that he is a bit overpaid at this point in his career given his current level of production but that doesn't seem to me to indicate that posters who feel that are "Ben Haters". Finally there are some like myself who just feel that Ben's skills aren't as good as they used to be due to his current age, but that doesn't make people who feel that a "Ben Hater".

Sorry, I have to disagree with you on this one. I just don't see any "Ben Haters" among the regular members of this forum.


:hoops:

It seems to me that no regular forum member here is a "Ben Hater". Some members may have been and possibly are still upset that he left us to go play for are division arch rival, but that is not being a "Ben Hater". Some regular members may feel that he is a bit overpaid at this point in his career given his current level of production but that doesn't seem to me to indicate that posters who feel that are "Ben Haters". Finally there are some like myself who just feel that Ben's skills aren't as good as they used to be due to his current age, but that doesn't make people who feel that a "Ben Hater".

Sorry, I have to disagree with you on this one. I just don't see any "Ben Haters" among the regular members of this forum.


:hoops:

sums up my views exactly.... would i love to have ben still on the team, hell ya.... but not at the price he's making. Do I wish that he could have his number retired a piston sometime down the road for all the things he did for the club..... really torn on that but if forced to say yes or no i would say yes.... just wish he had gone to the west for the money and not "chicago" any team but chicago.

I wonder, who would Pistons rather have today - Big Ben or J-Max? J-Max is getting his rebounding up to par, he works on his defense, he gets you the blocked shots, and he's a lot better offensively. Here is something to ponder - did Joe draft J-Max with a thought of him replacing Big Ben in some capacity if Ben decided to leave or if his skills began deteriorating?

Sorry, I have to disagree with you on this one. I just don't see any "Ben Haters" among the regular members of this forum.


I agree but just the same I don't want to see him leave the Pistons and have great success with the Bulls. I read the Bulls forum blogabull and there is a lot more hate toward Ben from the Bulls fans than us. They paid superstar money and expected to get a superstar. They got an aging, overpaid former star who cashed in when it was his turn to get the big payday.

Don't look now, but somebody's starting to sound (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/16/disgruntled-ben-wallace-why-am-i-here/) a bit like a malcontent:

"It's tough sitting on that sideline watching my teammates get beat up," lamented the former repeat Defensive Player of the Year. "If I can't go out there and help my team get stops down the stretch, then why am I here? Why don't we just go on to the house ... pack it up?"