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Posted: Oct. 25, 2009
DéjÀ vu: Big Ben dominates on defense - again
By VINCE ELLIS
Ben Wallace showed Friday night that the 14-year veteran might have something left in the tank.
Wallace, a four-time NBA defensive player of the year, grabbed 14 rebounds, had four steals and blocked two shots in 33 minutes as the Pistons beat the Bucks, 95-93.
The victory at Milwaukee ended the Pistons' exhibition season at 4-4 and maybe also proved first-year coach John Kuester's previous assertions that Wallace, 35, has something more to offer than just veteran know-how.
Wallace, who played with the Pistons in 2000-06 when he was one of the league's top defenders, signed this summer for the veteran's minimum ($1.3 million) after appearing to be on his last legs the past few seasons with the Bulls and the Cavs.
But he set a tone in the first quarter Friday, getting into passing lanes and knocking balls loose from Bucks ball handlers. And down the stretch in a tight game, Wallace always was on the court for defensive purposes.
While it remains to be seen how well Wallace can handle the rigors of an 82-game schedule, his defensive play bodes well for the Pistons when the season opens Wednesday night at Memphis.
