Pistons Re-Sign Ben Wallace to a One-Year Deal

by Packey on Aug 7, 2009 12:45 PM CDT in News Comment 25 comments

On a day when the Pistons signed all three 2009 draft picks, they also reached an agreement with one of their former all-stars.

Ben Wallace, the four-time defensive player of the year, agreed to terms with the Pistons on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.

Wallace is expected to sign the deal next week

Here is the news that we've been waiting to hear for quite some time. We knew it was probably going to happen, but with the delay between rumors and action it made me wonder if the Pistons were trying to get someone else and were using Ben Wallace as a fall back option. Or perhaps they were just waiting to get the contract situations with their draft picks in order first. I bet it's the latter.

Either way, the Big Ben era in Detroit is renewed, so start unpacking your rebound row t-shirts. Although, it might need to change its name to "rebound seats" to sound less intimidating because this isn't the same Wallace that came to Detroit in 2000.

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Old man has nothing left

This signing is about symbolism rather than basketball.

Like Pippen’s last season with the Bulls

"I’m tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok." ~Shaq

by Max_in_Missouri on Aug 7, 2009 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For 1.3 Million......

….This is a good sogn……he wont play but 15 20 mins a game…..Like it….Young team needs a vet…..that can stil reb and defend

by BennieBladesFan on Aug 7, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Signing!!!

Ben was the MVP the year that the Pistons won the title. Ben does not complain and hustles for the ball, great pickup!

by Marcmargolis on Aug 7, 2009 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is Joe Dumars

Jumping the shark. I thought he couldnt do any worse this off season, wow. If Stuckey gives Wallace #3 I will go insane! I might have to take a break from the NBA until he retires, or moves on from the Pistons. This is so bad.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Aug 7, 2009 3:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This undermines Stucky's progress as the leader of this team.

He has spent the off season speaking out and for the team ever since the Cleveland sweep. Now you bring back the previous “leader” of the team, a man who openly challenged his coach’es" and scoffed at a fair contract offer from the team that allowed him to showcase his talent. He was a one trick pony, and now he’s washed up. This can only hurt this team. You have RIP and Tay as veteran leadership. Cut the fat off by letting Sheed, and Iverson go. Sheed already poisoned RIP, bringing back another negative influence into the locker room will not service this team.

I am absolutely disgusted with this signing.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Aug 7, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Um I Think Your Overreacting.....

…..1st of all it doesnt undermine Stuckey…wallace isnt a starter and wont be a starter…..he will play 15 20 mins a game and rebound and defend……for only 1.3 mil you cant beat that…..LOVE THIS!!!!……He will do what they need this year…..Detroit will make the playoffs and will make it to 2nd round this year with the COACH OF TEH YEAR!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Aug 7, 2009 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

definitely over reacting.

My Music: Some Sorta Giant

by madpoopz on Aug 7, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And how in the world do you know that Sheed "poisoned" Rip

Rip may have always been like that and it took a horrible season to bring it out.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 8, 2009 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I don't

see how a veteran’s minimum deal can hurt a team in any way. Honestly it is next to impossible.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 8, 2009 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's for one year

I’m sure he’d help defend the other big men in the NBA. He won’t play too many minutes, he’s sure as hell not gonna start. I think of this as an Elden Campbell or a Dale Davis type signing: veteran big man to get some boards, blocks, and guard the other big men in the league. Also, he could help amp the crowd like he used to,

I’m sure everyone misses the Big Ben Gong sound!

by Avalanche318 on Aug 7, 2009 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

RELAX

Leapin Lion wtf are u talkin about??? clearly u are not a real fan…this is a great addition…this doesn’t undermine stuckey who is only in his 3rd season I remind you…He still isn’t ready to lead the team…this brings a core of vets the youngsters can mirror because they won a championship already…I’d also like to add that Ben is still top 5 in the league in terms of the weight room and strength…so guys like austin daye will put on some weight and power…Good Job Joe D…Bring back what we have lacked the past 4 years In DEFENSE!!!!

by finesse on Aug 7, 2009 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

original

I love when a fan criticizes a move made by a team that they have followed for 22 years and some hack uses the generic “your not a real fan” line. As a fan it is my right to criticize, cheer any move that is made. I pay season ticket prices and purchase team swag. And clearly none of the posters here that commend this signing watched wallass “play” last year. And yes this is stuckeys team, or have you not followed any of joes pressers since stuck was drafted. My bet is wallace isn’t healthy enough to finish the season.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Aug 7, 2009 8:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Calm Down

Who cares if he cant finish the season…..they only spent 1.3 on him!!!…..he will only play backup minutes….Who else is out there?…..No One….They needed a big they got one that can stil defend and rebound….GREAT SIGNING!!!!!…..said by a fan that has been a pistons fan for 33 yrs!!!!

by BennieBladesFan on Aug 7, 2009 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This hasn't gotten out of hand, but as a reminder...

I’d like you to know that I don’t care if people disagree with one another, or else what would be the fun of discussions, but I won’t tolerate ad hominem remarks. Comments like, “wtf are you talking about,” “clearly you’re not a real fan” or “have you not followed” so and so, are flirting with the line I don’t want crossed.

Make your arguments in a respectable and intelligent manner and if someone disagrees, rebuttal in a similar fashion. As a fan who has been involved in plenty of sports related arguments, I know how hard it is to hold your tongue, or in this case hold your typing, but please try to, so I don’t have to start warning, or banning, people network wide. Thanks, guys.

Motown String Music- SB Nation's Detroit Pistons Blog

by Packey on Aug 8, 2009 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good links to Stuckey stepping up wanting to lead this team

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/08/07/stuckey-hopes-to-be-detroits-leader/

http://www.freep.com/article/20090807/SPORTS03/908070340/1048/SPORTS/Rodney-Stuckey-s-actions-have-matched-his-words

AND you dont have to be a starter to have an affect on a team, either positivly or negativly. See Iverson, Allen or Hamilton, Richard. Wallace was a cancer before he left, has his attitude changed in the 3 years he’s been gone? Has his failures humbled him? I hope so, but i doubt.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Aug 7, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely happy with the signing

I can’t wait to hear that first gong go off! I just wish the fro was still around.. time to rip out my old wallace jersey gongggggg

by DetroitBasketballll on Aug 7, 2009 5:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Love this signing

I have totally disagreed with some of Joe’s moves this offseason, but I do like this one. He brings leadership, shot blocking, rebounding and excitement to this team all for the bargain basement price of 1.3 million. Even if he doesn’t work out, they really aren’t out much.

Now my question is, will he start? The other posters have said “no”, but honestly Wilcox and Brown really don’t do much for me. And even if Ben only plays 20 minutes a game, I’d still like to seem him announced as a starter and hear that gong go off. If nothing else, I think that would really get the crowd into it. What does everyone else think?

by cmich hax on Aug 7, 2009 10:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Incredible news!

It will be nice to hear the gong in the Palace again. Let’s hope he brings some energy to the crowd, and some old school work ethic that rubs off on the newbie Pistons.

DEEEEEEEEEEEEETROIT BASKETBALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

GO LIONS! RESTORE THE ROAR!

by Twon82 on Aug 7, 2009 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

One thing this brings up

Is a big ugly situation with the number sported on the back of Wallace’s jersey. Is Stuckey going to give Wallace the #3? Which Stuck has worn since he’s been in college, in homage to D-Wade? Or will he keep it and force the ‘Fro to take a different number? Obviously the #4 jersey that he played with last year is out of the question, he played with the #30 when he was a part of the Bullets, he could take that since Sheed is gone. I hope this doesn’t turn into a problem that is really ridiculous in the first place, but we’ve seen athletes cling to their jersey numbers until their dying days.

We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne

by detpistons3 on Aug 8, 2009 12:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now that A.I. is gone...

I feel Stuckey should take over the uniform number 1, if he’s willing. That would allow Big Ben to have that popular number 3 of his.

by Jimmy O. on Aug 8, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stuckey has alway wore #3 since high school.

I see no reason for him to give it to Wallace. He hasnt earned it. Stuckey claimed the number after Wallace LEFT, willingly mind you.

When angry, count four; when very angry, swear. ~Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson, 1894

by Leapin Lion on Aug 9, 2009 3:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing is for sure...

Ben Wallace sells tickets!

by Jimmy O. on Aug 8, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

PhoenixSunsBasketball

Ben obviously doesn’t have much in the tank anymore, but he actually fills a need and will indeed sell tickets. He will be nice starting/off the bench next to Charlie V. I still don’t understand why the Phoenix Suns bought him out for $10 mill only to let him walk and sign for $1.3. Might as well have just let him play out his contract and see if you can deal his expiring for some value at the deadline. But whatever, that’s the Phoenix Suns for ya, you never know what you’re going to get.

by Sunsfan221 on Aug 8, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs