Eddie Johnson doubts Ben Wallace's impact

[JCSunsfan]

EJ is an entertaining color guy. But he is a really interesting writer. This is an exerpt from www.hoopshype.com. I'm only quoting part of the article. Its all worth reading.

HoopsHype.com Columns

Wallace will struggle to reach lofty expectations
by Eddie Johnson / July 14, 2006
Eddie Johnson - Getty Images

THE AUTHOR:
EDDIE JOHNSON

Played 17 years in the NBA for the Kings, Suns, SuperSonics, Hornets, Pacers, Nuggets and Rockets.
Won the 1988-89 NBA Sixth Man Award averaging 21.5 ppg.
NBA all-time leading scorer among players with no All-Star appearances.
He is in his sixth year as the color analyst for the Phoenix Suns broadcasts.
You can visit his website at www.jumpshotclub.com

Ben Wallace was supposedly the free-agent catch of the summer. I beg to differ. Yes, he is a stud and his work ethic is a benefit for any team. But aren't we losing sight of something here? Since when do we anoint a player who can’t score, pass or shoot free throws savior status?

Just think about it. How many more blocks and rebounds will Wallace garner than what Tyson Chandler used to? And how many more victories will Wallace bring to the Bulls to justify ridding themselves of Chandler and paying Wallace $60 million?

The Bulls are getting Dennis Rodman... without the benefit of having Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen around.

If the Bulls think Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni are the equivalent of those two great players, then somebody better wake up soon in that organization and smell the coffee.

 

[krispydude]

ben was already declining the past 2 seasons. signing him to that big of a deal is kinda scary. i enjoy watching him shoot ft's though. everyone ducks in the first 3 rows

 

[az1965]

That's a very good article. I like EJ! He knows his stuff.

 

[NastyOne]

You don't give role players max deals.

 

[JCSunsfan]

This quote from later in the article intrigued me.

But understand this warning... If Tyrus Thomas can’t defend the ball in the post like Rasheed did in Detroit allowing Wallace to roam, then he will likely be inconsistent and stay in foul trouble – in the end, not paying the dividends they are expecting.

IMO Rasheed and KT are similar defenders. Not flashy, good position players, great at closing down lanes and getting their bodies in the way.

So a couple of way out ideas. Does KT make Amare and Marion way better defenders in the same way that Sheed makes Big Ben a better defender?

Also, since Ben Wallace needs that type of position defender next to him, would Chicago deal for KT? Maybe Tyrus Thomas? Is that something we would even want to do?

I'd do Tyrus and Thabo for KT and James Jones. But that's probably not realistic.

 

[NastyOne]

Also, since Ben Wallace needs that type of position defender next to him, would Chicago deal for KT? Maybe Tyrus Thomas? Is that something we would even want to do?

I'd do Tyrus and Thabo for KT and James Jones. But that's probably not realistic.

LoL, Kurt Thomas probably has negative trade value on the market right now.

Next offseason he'll be movable when his contract only has a year left.

But if we move him right now, we'll either get a weak offer in return (Salary dump) or have to give up draft picks with Thomas to get anything worthwhile.

Noway in hell Chicago gives up Tyrus Thomas for Old Man Kurt.

 

[nowagimp]

Eddie is right, the bulls apparently do not understand how Big Ben operated in the pistons defense. With Rasheed there, it allowed Big Ben to gamble more on D. Tyrus is no Rasheed, not yet and maybe not ever defensively. Big Ben also looks slower than a year or two ago, on defense.

 

[Gaddabout]

IMO Rasheed and KT are similar defenders. Not flashy, good position players, great at closing down lanes and getting their bodies in the way.

Well, Rasheed is about three times the athlete KT is. Always has been. KT is not going to D-up someone 20 feet out and hassle them all the way to the basket.

IMO, Rasheed has been one of the best all-around players in the NBA for a decade. His problem has never been talent, but attitude.

 

[F-Dog]

IMO Rasheed and KT are similar defenders. Not flashy, good position players, great at closing down lanes and getting their bodies in the way.

I wouldn't compare these two at all. Sheed is significantly longer and quicker than KT, just an amazingly dynamic player on both ends. He might match up with Nowitzki even better than Marion does.

IMO Sheed was the Pistons' best player the year they won the championship.


Chicago will be happy to have Ben Wallace this year--he's a much better defender than Tyson Chandler, so he'll be an upgrade playing Chandler's minutes. The question is whether the Wallace deal (and subsequent Chandler trade) will bite the Bulls in the butt in two or three years, and the answer is, they've got so much young talent they probably don't even care.