Drew Sharp doesn’t think Ben Wallace is happy with his declining role (is it still declining, or has it become officially non-existent?) on offense, and he suggests that it may be affecting Wallace’s performance on the court. From today’s Free Press:
Ben Wallace’s funks are becoming more noticeable, as well as the lapses in his signature perpetual intensity.
He turns it on when the mood strikes, suggesting that he’s either deeply bothered with his complete removal from the Pistons’ half-court offense or that there’s a steadily dwindling reserve of energy in his tank.
He goes on to suggest that perhaps the Pistons would be better served with Ben spending more time on the bench:
There’s certainly no cause for widespread panic because the Pistons find themselves in an early hole.
Isn’t burying themselves with their own shovel part of their M.O.?
But there should be concern that the 4-on-5 offensive philosophy they’ve adopted this season might not cut it against a Miami team with more offensive weapons at its disposal this season.
There’s no hiding Ben this time.
He’s the pulse of the team. He sets the tempo, igniting the frenetic intensity that’s defined this franchise’s resurgence the last five years.
But if the offense continues to struggle, don’t be surprised if Flip Saunders is left with no option but to give Antonio McDyess more of Ben’s minutes in the remainder of this series.
Maybe it’s me, but I just don’t see the logic in this. Sure, perhaps things would be a little easier if Ben were a bit more productive on offense, but let’s not forget why the Heat won this game: poor shooting.
Ben shot 3-3 from the field, but Rasheed Wallace shot 3-10, Antonio McDyess shot 3-7, Tayshaun Prince shot 5-13, Lindsey Hunter shot 1-7 and Chauncey Billups shot 6-19. As a team, the Pistons shot 37.8%. They did the little things like hitting their free throws (19-22) and protecting the ball (six turnovers), but they failed to do the big things, like finding the bottom of the bucket. Ben had nothing to do with that, and in fact gave his teammates extra chances to make it right, coming through with 14 rebounds (three offensive) and three steals, not to mention drawing an offensive foul on Dwayne Wade.
When the Pistons finally did grab the lead in the second half, they proceded to squander it with a series of jumpers. In the final 3:35 of the third quarter, the Pistons wasted a 60-57 lead by missing nine consecutive field goal attempts:
- Missed 15-footer by Rasheed, Pistons lead 60-57
- Missed 18-footer by Rip, Pistons lead 60-57
- Blocked layup by Chauncey, tie game 60-60
- Missed 16-footer by Rip, Heat lead 63-60
- Missed 24-footer by Rip, Heat lead 66-60
- Missed jumper by Rip, Heat lead 66-61
- Missed 26-footer by Lindsey, Heat lead 66-61
- Missed 26-footer by Rip, Heat lead 66-61
- Missed 18-footer by McDyess, Heat lead 66-61
That’s seven shots from 15 feet and out. Sadly, it’s even worse than it looks, because what that list doesn’t reveal is that Detroit actually had three offensive boards mixed in that they failed to convert into a single point. The only point they scored in those three and a half minutes was a Tayshaun Prince free throw.
In that span, Ben came through with two defensive rebounds, and his presence down low helped prevent the Heat from coming inside: they scored their nine points on two three-pointers, a 20-footer and a free throw. Alonzo Mourning is just as dangerous in the paint defensively as Ben is, but that shouldn’t stop the Pistons from even trying to go into the paint, especially considering the refs were for the most part dedicated to calling a tight (and fair) game.
If McDyess should be stealing anyone’s minutes in this series, is should be those of Rasheed Wallace. After averaging 17.3 points in four regular season games against the Heat, Rasheed wilted with just seven to go along with a paltry three rebounds in 32 minutes. He didn’t score his first point until well into the third quarter. Even just a couple of extra points in the first quarter would have made the difference, because, as I pointed out last night, the Pistons outscored Miami over the final three quarters. He was virtually invisible for most of the game. Whether that’s the result of his bum ankle, general fatigue or a suddenly difficult matchup is irrelevant — Flip Saunders needs to pull him if he’s not producing. The Pistons have proven they can win playing 4-on-5 offense, but they sure as hell don’t stand a chance playing 3-on-5. Even if he doesn’t bring anything else on offense, Ben almost always brings energy, which is more than can be said for some of his fellow starters.
[Edit: MLive.com’s Full-Court Press also took a look at Sharp’s article, contrasting it with a piece by Charley Rosen on FOXSports.com:
Ben Wallace worked for everything he produced — 3-3, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 6 points. But he, too, is strictly a complimentary player. And with all of the pregame yapping about how Ben can (or cannot) contain Shaq with one-on-one defense, here’s what happened when Wallace did exactly that: Shaq made 5-of-8 shots, was fouled three times (only one resulted in free throws, and he made 1-2), and had the ball poked away twice by Wallace. That’s 11 points in 13 possessions — certainly a winning total for the Pistons.
When Shaq was doubled (mostly when Antonio McDyess was guarding him), he was 1-1, was fouled once (1-2), committed a turnover, and his out-passes resulted in his teammates shooting 0-4. That’s 3 points in 6 possessions.
So apparently I’m not the only one who’s appreciating Ben’s contributions so far. And though it’s not relevant to Rosen’s piece, I’d also like to add that Ben shot 0-2 from the line, going to the line only once in the fourth quarter, when Miami pulled out the Hack-A-Ben (with the lead, no less). He can be an automatic turnover late in the games when he’s forced to go the line, but that certainly wasn’t the problem on Tuesday.]
Big Ben needs to chime [Detroit Free Press]
Pistons fall apart against rested Heat [FOXSports.com]
Aside from the foul shots, Ben was in great form last night. He had the most energy and his rebounds kept us in it. I think there’s some mystical connection between Rip’s ankle and Chauncey’s play. When Rip gets back to running curls, Chauncey will come back to life and lead some real team offense.
Ben’s the only one who came to play! Drew Sharp is high. I wonder if sometimes these beat writers think if they can light a fire under some of these guys if they pen an article questioning the player’s desire, skills, etc.
I agree with the 1st 2 posters. Ben was the best player on the court for the Pistons last night.
I also agree with Drew Sharp that Ben has been inconsistent and not nearly as imposing during the playoffs as we expect him to be. He’s received Mutombo-like accolades and I worry that he is about to receive Mutombo-like money, which could very well come back to haunt the organization.
As for who needs to step up…
How about all of the other players? We’ve seen the numbers. The Pistons couldn’t shoot straight… and they had pretty good looks. Next game, I expect the Big 5 scorers (Chauncey, Tay, Rip, Dice, and Sheed) to each step their games up, and at least combine to shoot over 40%- which would have won the game, by the way. Hopefully, Lindsey will learn the difference between a good shot and a bad shot, too (I know, it’s doubtful). Sometimes, it seems like he is Kobe Bryant in his own mind, with the shots he puts up.
In simplest form, this game was a matter of one hot shooting team against a team that couldn’t buy a bucket. Miami didn’t seem to play great defense. The Pistons missed open looks, and seemed a little sluggish at times. That should even out as the series wears on.
Also, it would have helped if Flip kept Lindsey and Evans in a little longer, when they were sparking the comeback in the 2nd quarter. The momentum really turned when they brought their fresh legs, combined with Dice into the game. I think that Flip’s over-reliance on the starters is a momentum killer, at times. Last night was a good example of that.
RASHEED WALLACE — This guy is so underrated and to passive.. He needs t stop passing the ball so much and post up! no one can stop his shot. Hamiltons Curls off screens can be stopped and they all know how to stop them. GO TO SHEED! they won because of him 2 years ago, and they will win again because of him
step up: SHEED
Flip Saunders. He needs to play the bench early in the game to ensure that the starters have energy in the fourth quarter. That means actually playing Dale Davis AND Carlos Delfino even for short stints during the game.
The problem is not ben nor rasheed… I think that article is weak… Yes Rasheed had a low FG percentage… yes ben wallace struggles but always crashes boards and plays incredible Defense… If you look at the game, the problem wasn’t rasheed missing shots it was everybody playing weak… What do you expect from a team that is not seen as an underdog team but I believe they still are… Miami heat got lots of weapons on their team… they have star players that make good calls ofcourse… but the pistons have very good defense, although you can play good defense only when your well rested… were the pistons well rested? they had played a game on sunday, and another game on tuesday… thats not well rested i’m sure the starting 5 had some weak legs… Ben wallace played good but he did not play 100%… Rasheed wallace was just off… billup’s was off… Hamilton was not even playing like hamilton… wade passed him by like nothing, most of hte players hamilton would guard were able to pass by him… I say they’ are just tired for that game… I didn’t expect them to come in and blow up the palace… game 2 they will do just that and they will play with much more intensity and shots will drop with a better percentage… I think the starting 5 can do it… what flip needs to do is use his bench more often at proper times… They need use lindsey hunter, dale davis, dice, maurice evans… delfino… give the miami heat a different line up… Every team knows who our go guy’s are… and the coaches always know what the game plan is… but if we give them different looks, with delfino and hunter and dice and davis… they will have some problems down the stretch… payton is too old p-ut some fresh legs on him… wade is cutting in easy put your # 1 defensive player on him… BEN watch the inside… dont let them get away easy!
The pistons have a very good team… with this new bench… flip needs to use that bench…. peace!
Lets play the blame game.. I really think some Piston fans and writers have gotten so spoiled. As I see it Ben did his part. He helped sit O’Neal down with fouls. He hit all his shots from the floor, and pulled down 14 rebs. If we lose to the Heat don’t blame Big Ben. If Mr.Big Shot does not start playing smarter and hitting his open looks its going to be a long summer. Hey Mr.Shot stop being so cool and play.This is not your Video Game. Hey Rip just catch and shoot. Work on putting the ball on the floor in the off-season. Hey Sheed! I know you are a little hurt but you have never put the ball on the floor and made a 3. So don’t do it please. Low post Sheed. Hey Flip you can’t play Tay every min. of the game. You have to rest the poor man. I am 32 years old. I have seen us win back to back. I have us beat the Lakers in 2004. I love the Pistons win or lose. maybe if we lose this year maybe it bring us back to earth. Its not over so until its over lets be cool.So lets not be hard on our boys. I can die in peace only if the lions win. : )
[Edit: Chris, please treat other commenters with more respect — MW]
^ Why do you have to be so ignorant?
I think a big problem is that Flip doesn’t hold the same cache with the players that Larry Brown had.
If the Pistons played a bad half under Brown, you knew that they would get reemed out at halftime, and come back blazing in the third quarter. The players would take Brown’s tirade to heart, because of his well-deserved rep as a coach.
I get the feeling that Flip (do you really want a coach named “Flip”? I guess it’s better than “Lovie”) has little influence over the players, since they’ve “been there” before, and he’s never been.
LA Mike, I’m starting to agree — it’s like Flip walked into a winning situation and didn’t want to upset anybody, so it sometimes seems he doesn’t really hold anyone accountable.
(By the way, I edited your comment above after waxing that other comment, just so it didn’t look like you were the one saying it — hope you don’t mind. But I agree with you on that point, too. To everyone else: you pretty much have an open mic here, I just ask is that you show a little respect to each other. Senseless hostility isn’t appreciated.)
It’s all good.
Wow what did that guy say were Matt had to step in?
I agree that Flip could play the bench more. They gave a nice energy infusion; it was obvious the starters were tired.
I want to see more from Chauncey; as well as more (not less!) of Big Ben. If a player isn’t producing, coach should pull them out, bottom line. Make the decisions that are right for the team.Doesn’t inspire confidence if he defers to the players, especially when their production is lacking.
Everybody needs to step uppppppppp!!!
But yeah, as per Rip: “If it ain’t rough, it ain’t right”
Go Deeetroittttttttttttttttttttttt
I definitely think more is needed out of everyone except one person: Delfino. I’d be happy if he never played a minute for the Pistons again. He tends to be a shoot-first guy (who isn’t a great shooter) and doesn’t play great defense.
I think Flip has to take a lot of the blame for the lack of adjustments and motivation. The “new and improved” offense we were promised under Flip has looked pathetic to me. They look like they have less freedom on the offensive end than under Larry Brown. Chauncey looks scared to pull up for a quick three (maybe that’s him, but I think it’s the forced offensive sets). that used to bury teams when they blinked.
I liked the times Chauncey took Jason Williams to the hole. That guy doesn’t have a prayer of covering Billups. Rip seemed fine, except his shots weren’t falling. People have bad shooting nights, but I don’t think you can question his effort. Obviously those shots have to fall for the boys to win. Tayshaun needs to play Wade more, I think. Wade’s definitely quicker than LeBron, but I think Tay can hold his own against him better than Hamilton, who is not that quick on defense. Rasheed is a tougher case. A lot of the “bad shots” that killed momentum in the game are the questionable shots he usually takes that clinch the game or start a big run. They are shots he definitely hits at a decent percentage, but they also slowed their runs down Tuesday. I’d like to see Ben in the offense a little more. He also had gotten a little better at FT’s at one point, but I think his complete lack of participation in the offense plays a role. It’s easy to doze off on the court when you know there’s no chance you’re touching the ball
Lastly, Antonio and Hunter just need to come in and hit a few shots. Hunter seemed to have a big head from previous games and just threw some things up that he has no business doing. Those are my thoughts. Feel free to rip them to shreds if you disagree.
I agree with the one who said everyone need to step up. It not just one person is everyone and that is what makes the detroit pistons a team. So im not blamming my babies for the lost i was mad but got over a lttle bit after the game. but for the record BEAT THA HEAT PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
P.S DEEEEETroit BaaSKET-BALLLL
p.s.s
Hey Rip luv Ya
Something very simple. Rip shouldn’t stay so close to Wade, b/c Wade is not going to shoot 3’s a lot. Rip should stay back a little.
GIVE SHEEEED THE BALL!!