2006-07-05 07:51:00 · 16 answers · asked by Mr. Robinson 2 in Sports ➔ Basketball
It's hard to say for sure. He definitely makes the Bulls a better team, but the Bulls had a very solid defense before they signed him and couldn't get it done. I think they need to add another offensive weapon to be a legitimate championship contender.
2006-07-05 07:57:56 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Ben Wallace deal was really risky, but it was a good risk for the Bulls to take. The deal in and of itself does not make the Bulls a contender and I'll get into the why in a moment.
First, it's important to understand just how good defensively this deal makes the Bulls. They already have a number of great individual defenders in Kirk Hinrich, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni among others. It was enough to make them one of the very best defensive teams in the league last season. Adding Ben Wallace, defending Defensive Player of the Year can only help and help a lot. Moreover, his athletic style will really fit well with this young Bulls team.
It's important to keep in mind, however, just how bad the Bulls are offensively. Ben Gordon is really their only player who can consistently create his own shot and even he's streaky. He's also one-dimensional at this point in his career. The Pistons with Ben Wallace were a great defensive team, but against the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavs they were playing 4 against 5 at the offensive end because Ben Wallace has absolutely no offense to his game. What's more, he's 32 years old, so in the final two years of his new four year deal, Bulls fans might be wondering why they're paying a 35/36 year old an upwards of 18 million dollars a year to average something like 4 ppg, 6-7 rbpg, and a couple blocks. Granted, that's worst-case scenerio.
Why doesn't this deal alone make the Bulls a contender, because they haven't addressed their glaring weakness. They desperately need an all-star calibar go-to-guy who can draw double teams and create open looks for other players. Ben Gordon is the only sort of go-to-guy they have, but he's still developing. The latest rumor is that they're making another push for Kevin Garnett, and even though the Wolves said they won't deal him, you just never know.
The strong rumor I've heard lately (which some say is a done deal) is that the Bulls will trade Center Tyson Chandler to the Hornets for PJ Brown and JR Smith (who's in Byron Scott's doghouse). That would free up cap space to go after a much needed power forward. If they're unable to land Kevin Garnett, my guess is that they'll rekindle their efforts to get Al Harrington in a sign and trade.
The bottom line is they'll be in the mix with Big Ben if for no other reason than they're one of the best defensive teams in the league and from top to bottom the East is a lot weaker than the West. But, until they can find a fix to their problem on offense, they're going to be hard pressed to be serious contenders for a title, in my opinion.
2006-07-05 08:22:31 · answer #2 · answered by Philthy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely! The Bulls already have offense power and played OK defense but now with Ben Wallace you move a step closer to the NBA Championship. And they also weaken a strong contender in the Pistons.
2006-07-05 08:49:31 · answer #3 · answered by askmeguru21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the Bulls beat the Heat if they have Ben Wallace. Just look back to the series the two teams had this year in the playoffs. If Big Ben is there Bulls win......
2006-07-05 08:04:43 · answer #4 · answered by The Angry Stick Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It upgrades the Bulls but I still think they are not skilled enough to win against the Heat, Nets, and Detroit. Ben Wallace no doubt helps them. But the Bulls already had a good defense, what they need is someone who can also consistantly score down low. They need a forward who will be able to put up double digits consistantly. Heinrick and Gordon will be fine in the back court. Wallace will get boards, but he's not your offensive presesence down low.
2006-07-05 07:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by kris_rynshall 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe and maybe not. When you think about it, Ben makes them a better defensive team (not that they were bad already), and he gives them a presence upfront (T.Chandler just was not cutting it!). But unless he can start to score 10 points, have 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 5 assists and 4 blocks a game, he wont do them much help (because he is not a scoring center). Yes he does make them 1 of the top 5 teams in the east (MIA, DET, NJ, CHI and CLE), but as a championship contender? Maybe, and maybe not.
2006-07-05 08:25:04 · answer #6 · answered by coolesticeman2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definatly, the bulls didnt have a problem with the nets last year, and the pistons are not the same without wallace, and the bulls gave the heat a problem in the playoffs, now with big ben. watch out!
2006-07-05 08:08:26 · answer #7 · answered by emanckin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the Bulls did a great job getting Wallace. And with their awesome draft they had getting Tyrus Thomas, look out for the Bulls this season.
2006-07-05 08:21:05 · answer #8 · answered by prekkoy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ugh...Detroit will never be the same without Ben. I do not think that his performance will mesh well with the Bulls...it's a team effort, so the Bulls need to think differently.
2006-07-05 08:08:00 · answer #9 · answered by sassper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who is Ben Wallace?
2006-07-05 07:54:18 · answer #10 · answered by Abygail M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋