Ben Wallace's Defense Impresses in '09 Opener

Posted: Oct. 29, 2009
Ben Wallace's defense impresses Kuester in opener
BY VINCE ELLIS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Pistons coach John Kuester has maintained that Ben Wallace has a lot left to offer. He backed up his words Wednesday by naming the 13-year veteran the starting center for that night's 96-74 season-opening win against the Grizzlies.

The other choice was Kwame Brown, but Kuester likes the defensive emphasis of Wallace to start games.
"One of the things that Ben brings to us is a defensive presence right from the beginning with the way we want to defend," Kuester said.

Kuester was quick to add that Brown and the other bigs -- Jason Maxiell and Chris Wilcox -- would be needed over the course of the season, and he has been a champion of Brown all training camp.

Despite being considered a bargain-basement signing when he agreed to rejoin the Pistons for the veteran's minimum ($1.3 million) in August, Wallace proved throughout the exhibition season that there is still life left in his 35-year-old legs.

"The other guys that are not starting ... have done an outstanding job throughout the preseason," Kuester said. "This is an area where we need them to play with the same type of focus throughout the season itself, but Ben is someone that's been outstanding defensively, and we have to have his presence."

The Pistons plan to monitor Wallace's minutes to keep him fresh for the postseason push late in the season. "Ben has been a great leader throughout the entire preseason and wants these guys to realize that he can't play the number of minutes he played in the past," Kuester said.

Joining Wallace -- who had three points, nine rebounds and a block Wednesday -- in the starting lineup were forwards Charlie Villanueva and Tayshaun Prince and guards Rodney Stuckey and Rip Hamilton.