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http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=117540&src=150

The game wasn't much of an artistic success, which shouldn't be a surprise. The Bulls (16-23) were playing for the fourth time in five nights, while the Pistons (29-12) seem to have hit their annual January malaise. Detroit is 3-5 in its last eight games. Chauncey Billups scored 27 for the Pistons, while Rasheed Wallace (4 points) was a virtual no-show.

"I don't really care. We got a win," Bulls center Ben Wallace said. "Whether they were in a lull or not playing well, anytime we can get a win right now, I'll take it."

Ben Wallace had a couple of highlights early. He threw down an impressive dunk over Jason Maxiell and drilled a 17-foot baseline jumper.

But then Wallace sat out the entire fourth quarter in favor of rookie Joakim Noah (8 rebounds, 4 points), who played well as the Bulls pulled away early in the fourth. Following the game, Wallace insisted he didn't mind a bit.

"I need it. I'm getting old," he said. "Let's develop these young guys."

Not something you really want to hear from the guy with the big pay-cheque

Even Big Ben himself has jumped on the bandwagon, are Paxson and Boylan the only two who aren't included in the play the youth movement?

Gordon's on it.

"Hopefully this will put some pressure on the coaching staff to play (Sefolosha) more minutes," said Ben Gordon, who led the Bulls with 33 points.

I disagree, manic. Its exactly what I want to hear. I don't want to hear him demanding minutes. If he can sit in the 4th and rest after playing a bunch of games in a short period of time and not mind, and allow the kids to get in there and get their minutes, I'm thrilled.

Actually in the past week when discussing the Noah incidents, Mike Wilbon on PTI related that he had talked to Wallace earlier this season and Wallace had suggested to him that the young guys should play more.

At the time I didn't post this info since there were no direct quotes and nothing to back it up.

On the one hand its good to see Wallace willing to step aside for the youth. On the other, you wonder if Wallace is basically tired of giving a 100% effort and merely wants to collect his $$$ while quieting sitting on the bench. And you'd wonder if he'd be fine with the coaches telling him when to sit for the youth, as opposed to him deciding when he wants to sit.

I want to hear what he said, then I'd like it followed with this.

..."I need it. I'm getting old," he said. "Let's develop these young guys." and then he went on to say, "In fact, I'm feeling so old I'd like to negotiate a buyout that really favored the team. I think its time I retired."

TB#1 - Good point, i really just don't like him, i question his commitment.

I think this is a good thing......Wallace already sees himself on a decline. I think, if no one wants to trade for him this year, he could be valuable teaching Noah and Tyrus. Then next year, Bulls can ship him out. While he can't move around as much, you can tell by the deflections when they try to post up on him or the tapouts, he knows how to patrol the point. That information will be invaluable to young guys like Noah and Tyrus.

Wow, great stuff to read from Ben and Ben. Now we just need to get the coaching staff on board.

TB#1 wrote:I disagree, manic. Its exactly what I want to hear. I don't want to hear him demanding minutes. If he can sit in the 4th and rest after playing a bunch of games in a short period of time and not mind, and allow the kids to get in there and get their minutes, I'm thrilled.

No kidding. I completely agree. I just hope he really, really means it. I think it was coldfish who said it in the post-game thread: What you saw last night is precisely how this team should be using Wallace. High intensity play for 20-25 minutes a night, leaving significant time for Noah and maybe eventually Thomas (or Gray in the right matchup).

Wallace still has value as a player. Its just that the Bulls play him in excess of that value.

If Ben W was serious - and it is impossible to tell from the story - it is indeed welcome news.

I'd also like to see tyrus at PF, not SF

suckfish wrote:Even Big Ben himself has jumped on the bandwagon, are Paxson and Boylan the only two who aren't included in the play the youth movement?

Gordon's on it.

"Hopefully this will put some pressure on the coaching staff to play (Sefolosha) more minutes," said Ben Gordon, who led the Bulls with 33 points.

WOW! Obviously this is music to my Thabo Sefoloving ears. But the "wow" is because in all my years of following the NBA, I don't recall ever reading a quote from a player talking about how he's hoping the coaching staff is feeling "pressure" to play a young guy.

Very interesting. When Skiles was fired it was reported that a number of players on the team were disappointed that Gray wasn't getting more run as well.

It appears there is a real disconnect internally on this team regarding who should be playing and how much. Very unusual to read about.

bulls6 wrote:If Ben W was serious - and it is impossible to tell from the story - it is indeed welcome news.

I'd also like to see tyrus at PF, not SF

It's called saving face. Perhaps the Chairman is no longer returning Tellum's phone calls.

suckfish wrote:Even Big Ben himself has jumped on the bandwagon, are Paxson and Boylan the only two who aren't included in the play the youth movement?

Gordon's on it.

"Hopefully this will put some pressure on the coaching staff to play (Sefolosha) more minutes," said Ben Gordon, who led the Bulls with 33 points.

Sadly, yes. Paxson and Boylan, probably more Boylan, have a "plan" and regardless of its results are sticking to it.

On one hand this is great and welcome news. On the other hand, by making the announcement publicly Wallace has torpedoed any last shred of trade value that he might possibly have retained.

The problem with just blindly playing the young guys, is that Wallace and Smith bring more to the table than Thomas every night, and more than Gray on about 2/3 of the nights.

I'd like to see:

C: Ben Wallace- 28 minutes/ Aaron Gray- 12 minutes/ Joakim Noah- 8 minutes
PF: Joe Smith- 24 minutes/Andres Nocioni 12 minutes/Joakim Noah- 12 minutes

I think that would be a good rotation for the rest of the year at the big spots.

Ben B. wrote:On one hand this is great and welcome news. On the other hand, by making the announcement publicly Wallace has torpedoed any last shred of trade value that he might possibly have retained.

I wouldn't get to jacked up about this quote one way or the other, actually. My guess is he was responding to a question trying to goad him into complaining about sitting the 4th and Ben wasn't about to take the bait.

Ben B. wrote:On one hand this is great and welcome news. On the other hand, by making the announcement publicly Wallace has torpedoed any last shred of trade value that he might possibly have retained.

Eh. Cliff Levingston would probably disagree on that one. Everyone knows he's declined and won't have hardly any value as a player when his contract expires. Everyone also therefore knows that he should be used in moderation... well, every team other than the Chicago Bulls.

Cliff Levingston likes to see this comment from Big Ben. Maybe it's just him being selfish; wanting to ride the pine and still collect his paycheck, but it could just as well be him seeing how well the young guys are doing when given time and thinks that it can help the team more than just Wallace playing 40 minutes a night.

Part of me thinks that both Ben's quotes are coming directly from Pax. I have a hunch that Pax is leading the youth movement and Boylan and all are really just taking orders.

When Boylan took over, Pax wanted more youth playing, but was willing to see what the vets can do. After 10 games, were now going directly to the youth movement.

I don't know, just a hunch.

I saw Big Ben as the only guy jumping up & cheering when Noah tipped in a tough rebound. I really like his attitude right now.

If he could come in for 24 min a night & kick some ***, freeing up time for Noah, we could really turn this thing around.