Ben Wallace is scuffling a bit right now, and he's knows it:
"I'm totally frustrated with my game," said Wallace, after scoring 13 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, dishing five assists and blocking two shots Sunday against the Clippers. "I'm just not really happy with what I'm bringing to the table right now."
Not happy seemed to morph into downright angry after Monday night's loss. Wallace had four points and six rebounds and said after the game he isn't sure what his role is.
"I'm just out there running around," Wallace said. "...I'm sick of this (bleep)."
Asked if he wants more touches, Wallace said he didn't have any more comment.
Wallace averages through 17 games -- nine points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks -- are down a bit. Last year, when Wallace was an All-Star and the defensive player of the year, he finished with slightly higher numbers -- 9.7 points, 12.2 boards, and 2.4 blocks. And his free throw shooting is still far below average at .500.
But for him, that number's a career best.
If Wallace is unsure of his role in coach Flip Saunders' offense, there's one area that should never be in doubt -- rebounding.
But Wallace has averaged just 8.6 rebounds in the last six games.
Ben is in a tough spot, but it's not just him. Rasheed Wallace's rebounds are down from 8.2 to 6.6, and of the starters, only Tayshaun Prince has actually increased his rebounding this year. Obviously that has nothing to do with his changing role in the offense, but we're only talking about a one-point differential after 18 games, and for what it's worth, his shooting percentage has actually ticked up from 45.3% to 48.2%.
"There were games this year that we won where I felt (crappy) after the game," Rasheed Wallace said. "I know I played horrible, I know I didn't help the team out. But I mean, you gotta look at the end part that we got the win. So I kind of sort of know what Ben's going through."
PISTONS CORNER: Ben expects better play from himself [Detroit Free Press]