Tag Archive for ‘Ben Wallace’

Tag Archive for 'Ben Wallace'

“We still hate Cleveland”

Published by Matt Watson on March 3, 2008 in Former Pistons. 33 Comments

Will Ben Wallace’s arrival in Cleveland lessen the rivalry between the Pistons and Cavs? The Pistons don’t think so. From the DetNews:

“We still hate Cleveland,” Lindsey Hunter said, with no trace of a smile. “We didn’t like Chicago (when Wallace was there), either. That’s just the way it is.”

Others weren’t quite so sure.

“It’s not going to be that hate relationship,” Antonio McDyess said. “It’s funny. Ben has been on every team in the East that we dislike the most. Every team he’s on, Chicago, Cleveland, is a team we really dislike. Now, if his next move is to Miami, it’s going to be even worse.”
[…]
“It’s just so different, him wearing that Cleveland uniform” McDyess said. “But you can’t hate Ben. He’s a part of us. But you know, they are going to be pumped up just for the fact that he’s on their team — no matter what. And we’re going to be pumped up just as much. So I guess it makes things a little more intense.”

Ben Wallace traded to Cavs

Published by Matt Watson on February 21, 2008 in Former Pistons. 54 Comments

Dan Gilbert’s desire to transform the Cavs into the Pistons knows no end.

From KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune:

The Ben Wallace era in Chicago has come to an end.

A little more than one and a half seasons after Bulls general manager John Paxson and then-coach Scott Skiles made a splash by signing Wallace away from the Detroit Pistons for $60 million over four years, the center was traded along with Joe Smith to Cleveland for Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden. The Cavs also included Cedric Simmons to make the money work under the salary cap.

“I had a good time here,” Wallace said Thursday. “I enjoyed being one of the guys. And I had a good season last year.”

What was left unsaid: “… but I’ve been horrible this year and will only continue to get worse.” The full deal:

The report said Wallace would go to the Cavaliers along with guard Wally Szczerbiak, forward Joe Smith and guard Delonte West in a deal which was completed right before the league’s 3 p.m. EST trade deadline.

According to ESPN, the Bulls would receive guard Larry Hughes, forward Drew Gooden and forward Cedric Simmons while the Seattle SuperSonics would get guard Chris Duhon and forwards Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall.