This could spell the end of Detroit's run as an NBA Championship contender, as their great starting five is broken up, while elevating the Bulls to at least an Eastern Conference Championship contender.

I wish the Nets could've signed Big Ben, but I don't think they had the cap room to even try.

He's just what they needed: A great rebounder and defender who doesn't need the ball on offense, but, unlike Jason Collins (who he could've replaced as a starter) he can score if necessary.

I don't wanna hear about the NBA ever again

The Pistons had a nice 3-year run, TM, including one championship.

That's much better than most teams do.

BTW, I've always wanted to ask you:

How does a guy from South America become a fan of a team from Detroit?

Ok, DB. Isn't Chicago satisfied with winning World Series. How greedy can you all be?

I hope this works out for Chicago, but it sounds like the deal is for 4 years and $60 million. That's a lot of cash to be throwing around for a player who makes a difference at only one end of the court, especially with the new direction the league appears to be heading after this year's playoffs. I don't mean to undermine Big Ben's ability, but his style of play will be of less importance in the next three years compared to the last three years, even if he continues to play at his current level and doesn't show any decline into his mid 30s. The days of the Jordan-Pippen-Rodman Bulls hand checking and muscling up in the post are gone, much the same as the days of Shaq simply clearing space by bowling people over on his way to the basket for the Lakers are gone in the NBA. The league is moving back to an emphasis on shooting and passing, a style which doesn't tailor itself to Ben's game. I still think he'll be a very good player, but I have to agree with the Pistons decision. It may not have been the best move they could have made, but it was the smart move. Ben is a great player, but he's not a max contract player. Not being able to make that distinction has gotten a lot of teams in trouble in the past, but the Pistons knew exactly what Ben's value was and refused to overpay.

ther were more than 3 years, PL. the Pistons have won at least 50 games every season since 2001-2002. I've been a fan since 2001, I think. I do remember when the friggin' Nets killed us in the East final (4-0, Kidd's clutch shot, Okur missed lay up, you must remember). and well, yeah it was a beautiful story

but I really don't remember why or when I became a Pistons fan, plaw, it just happened. Big Ben was one of the reasons, for sure.

I'm 50-50 whether I like this deal or not. Ben Wallace is nearing the age where the rate centers break down goes up geometrically and he's not the offensive post presence that the Bulls needed. He's basically Tyson Chandler supersized. If they can somehow trade Chandler for something meaningful (KG in a package deal! Yeah right!), then the Bulls can be a real force.

Will this do any real to the Pistons? They still got 4 of that great team, and if they buy a good replacement.

I think Wallace is a short-term fix. He's getting up in age and his offense is woeful. No doubt his defense is what earned him the money. But I don't see him staying healthy beyond the 2nd year of this deal. This is a lot of $ to be paying a 36-37 year old when he's at the end of this deal.

I think Detroit was wise not to pay him. I'm surprised Isiah Thomas didn't overpay Wallace more than the Bulls.

If Ben would have convinced Isiah he could play point guard for the Knicks, them I gurantee you Zeke would have given him A-Rod money.

Last night on Sportscenter, Greg Anthony was rating the Eastern Conference teams 1-5 as they stand right now. He had the Bulls ranked #2 behind the Heat! If this team is going to face that much pressure to fulfill expectations, it could make for a long season. We haven't even seen what they will get in a trade for Chandler yet(or perhaps a Chandler-Gordon package and really get someone of value). Who's going to score consistently for this team? I just hope the media and fans in Chicago realize it could take some time for this team to jell and not get too anxious at the start of the season. It's been 8 years since the Bulls were serious title contenders, so the fans and media will be anxious for this team to succeed. I have a feeling that things could turn ugly if they get off to a slow start. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though.

Well it looks like the Bulls did pull the trigger on the PJ Brown-JR Smith for Chandler deal. Not a bad deal at all. Brown gives the team some veteran leadership and Smith is a young guard with potential. Considering who they gave up, they had nothing to lose. Plus Brown's contract is up after the season, so if they still wanted to make a run at Garnett at the trade deadline, they would be able to salary-wise.

Unloading the Chandler contract is huge. Having P.J. Brown will also help in Tyrus Thomas's development.

I still think they need a scoring inside presence though. Is P.J. Brown enough?

P.J. Brown will not provide much of a threat offensively on the low block, but he will be valuable for the reasons you stated. I think the Bulls are depending on Thomas to provide that inside scoring. I definately agree that they need a legitimate scoring threat inside to take pressure of Thomas. It's gonna be tough for a 6'9" rookie to be your low post option.

He and his brother went to my high school.

Anyway... Wallace to Chicago, huh? This is gonna be an interesting season, that's all I gotta say. Keeps getting more and more promising every week.

If Ben would have convinced Isiah he could play point guard for the Knicks, them I gurantee you Zeke would have given him A-Rod money. [/b][/quote]

now that I'm past the heat of the passion I agree that the Pistons made the wise move. it's just like the Johnny Damon deal. (I'm not a Red Sox fan but I did get stunned)
as much as I love Big Ben (everytime I played basketball, he was my inspiration), the Bulls overpaid him baaad. I wish him good luck and he deserves the big bucks