what would it take to aquire Ben Wallace ?

[ggp]

Big Ben is unhappy in Detroit. He does not like his role under his new coach. He is a major talent and the Pistons would be fools to let him go. But, just for Sh#ts and giggles, what would we have to offer in a trade for him?

[1524]

Why trade for him, he is a FA this summer. He is tight with Coach Woody, makes sense for me.

[Lascar78]

Quote:

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Big Ben is unhappy in Detroit. He does not like his role under his new coach.

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I call complete BS. Sources?

Ben loves Detroit and has all but said that he's staying there. We have no shot at him

[KB21]

What would it take to get Ben from Detroit?

Probably Joe Dumars having a massive stroke that causes severe dementia.

[Traceman]

Frustrated Wallace unsure of role

Piston hasn't been his usual shot-blocking, rebounding self, won't use pain as an excuse.

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

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Kent Horner / Getty Images

Ben Wallace's view: "I am just not happy with my game." See full image

Kings at Pistons

Tip-off:7:30, The Palace

TV/radio:FSN Detroit/WDFN 1130

Outlook:The Kings, who won at Minnesota on Tuesday night, are last in the Pacific Division, and speculation is coach Rick Adelman's days might be numbered. The Kings are giving up about 99 points a game, fourth-worst in the NBA. The Pistons beat the Kings in Sacramento, 102-88, on Nov. 8.

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AUBURN HILLS-- Beneath the happy surface of a 15-3 start, a potentially troubling issue is bubbling for the Pistons.

Ben Wallace has not been Ben Wallace.

When Kris Humphries of Utah dunks in his face, posterizes him without much resistance, something is wrong. When the Pistons get outrebounded for eight straight games, including a 55-27 drubbing by the Jazz on Monday night, something is wrong.

When the Jazz get 16 layups and dunks, the night after the Clippers get 19 layups and dunks and score 58 points in the lane, something is wrong.

Not all of that is on him, of course, but when Ben Wallace isn't in the top three in the NBA in rebounds and blocks -- well, he's not being Ben Wallace.

"I don't know what's going on," a visibly frustrated Wallace said after getting six rebounds and four points (on three shots) in a 92-78 loss Monday. "I don't even know what my role is. I am just out there running around. … I am sick of this …"

Wallace wouldn't comment further. After the Pistons beat Golden State on Friday, though, he gave a hint as to his frustration.

"It's just about me playing basketball," he said. "I am just not happy with my game. I've got to be better. I've got to play better. I have to play harder. I have to bring something more than what I've been doing."

Wallace has been playing through pain. He has been getting daily treatment on his right foot, left ankle and left elbow, which he apparently hyperextended. But he refuses to use these difficulties as a crutch.

The Pistons also have been on an energy-sapping schedule grind. The five days off last week notwithstanding, they have played 12 of their 18 games on the road in the first 6 1/2 weeks.

"Ben is an energy guy," coach Flip Saunders said. "As many games as we've had, it feels like we've been on the road for three months. That sucks the energy out of you."

Wallace, who prides himself on being one of the best-conditioned athletes in the game, won't use that excuse, either. So, what is it?

It might have something to do with his role in the offense, which is shrinking. When asked whether he felt as if he wasn't involved enough offensively, he ended the interview.

"I don't have no more comment," he said.

Saunders acknowledged that might be part of the problem, part of the reason Wallace feels as if he's running around without much purpose on offense.

"What has happened is that some of our guys have gotten off to real good starts," Saunders said. "Rip (Hamilton), Tayshaun (Prince) and 'Sheed (Rasheed Wallace) have been so good, what's happened is, we haven't utilized Ben enough offensively. We've talked about this. We probably need to get him more touches and get him involved more in what we are doing at that end."

Wallace has averaged fewer than five shots the last seven games.

"We do have to play off him more," Saunders said. "But what has happened is, we have scored a lot off of our first options. We haven't had to turn it over and get to our second and third options, which would include him more."

Under coaches Rick Carlisle and Larry Brown, Wallace had very defined responsibilities on the offensive end. Carlisle basically told him to stay out of the way and try to get offensive rebounds. Brown ran basic post plays for him.

Saunders is asking Wallace and the rest of the team to read defenses and make decisions based on how they react.

"I always say the game is not played in black or white," Saunders said. "It's played in the gray area. I think it's been an adjustment for some of our guys. The two previous coaches had Ben stand on the hash and not do much of anything else. We are asking Ben to make reads and react, and maybe that's not as comfortable."

What Saunders hopes, and what he plans to talk to him about today, is that Wallace understands he has been a key facilitator for the success of the offense, despite not getting a lot of shots or points himself.

"In a way, he's like an offensive lineman in football," Saunders said. "You know, he's the guy setting the screens and getting people into open spots, but he's not getting any of the recognition or credit. His work goes largely unnoticed.

"I keep telling the guys to throw Ben a bone once in a while so he feels like he's a part of it."

The bottom line, as Saunders knows, is if Wallace isn't a part of things on the offensive end, his energy and effectiveness tend to wane on the defensive end. And if that happens, the Pistons are in trouble.

Billups considered

Jerry Colangelo, head of the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team, told The News he is considering four Pistons for a possible spot on the team that will play in the World Championships this summer and in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He has had brief discussions with Hamilton and Prince. He is also interested in talking to Chauncey Billupsand Ben Wallace.

"I have had conversations with Chauncey's agent (AndyMiller)," Colangelo said. "We are interested in a couple of Andy's guys. One of the concerns about Chauncey is that his wife is pregnant and could be having the baby this summer. He may or may not be able to participate because of that."

Billups had said over the weekend he had not heard from Team USA, but that was because Miller had yet to deliver the message.

Colangelo is trying to make contact with as many as 35 players.

He wants to make telephone contact first, then have a face-to-face meeting with each one to determine the strength of his commitment.

In the bonus

Billups, who is making 90 percent of his free throws, saw his free-throw streak end at 30 on Monday.

… Prince was talking about some of the referees' calls the Pistons thought went against them in the fourth quarter Monday.

"We were getting some calls early in the fourth, then coach (Jerry) Sloan told the refs the calls were 4-1 in our favor," he said. "It was pretty much over after that."

You can reach Chris McCosky at (313) 222-1489 or chris.mccosky@detnews.com.

[Lascar78]

yeah I've heard about it since. Apparently that was after a couple of bad games and he's bounced back since and happy again. Just curious, when was that article from?

[Diesel]

I heard Ben say that he was unhappy with his role on offense. He's just standing around and don't know what to do.

However, I don't know if that means he's unhappy with being a Piston.

[Traceman]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../512140305/1127

[Wurider05]

Ben Wallace is on the decline. Nothing ruins a franchise worse that an aging big man with a big contract. Why didn't you think the Lakers didn't resign SHAQ.

[Lascar78]

yeah the heat were so much better before they signed Shaq...

But anyhow, I don't think he's going anywhere

[chillzatl]

so slim that I would say there is zero chance of it happening.