Pistons Should Start Ben Wallace at Power Forward

Detroit Pistons should start Ben Wallace at power forward
By Justin Rogers | MLive.com
October 26, 2009, 3:20PM

After watching Ben Wallace's high-energy defensive performance during the Detroit Pistons' final preseason contest, it has become clear coach John Kuester should consider starting Wallace.

In a whopping 33 minutes of action, Wallace showed flashes of the dominant defensive player that prowled the lane at The Palace for the first half of this decade, packing the stat sheet with 14 rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots.

Playing in six of the eight preseason games, Wallace averaged 16 rebounds per 48 minutes and set an aggressive tone on the defensive end that the Pistons will desperately need this season.

In the two games Wallace missed during the preason, Detroit's opponents shot a staggering 57.1 percent from the floor.

Considering Wallace's age, he would be best suited to start at power forward. The physical grind required to guard the opposing center could take away from his effectiveness. Assuming Kwame Brown is ready to go, the Pistons should start Wallace at power forward and Brown at center.

Yes, this will put the burden of the offense on the guards and Tayshaun Prince to start the game, but that was largely anticipated anyway. It also leaves the Pistons with an absolutely explosive second unit, led by Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.

It's safe to say none of the Pistons' potential starting lineups will be ideal. There are several weaknesses, but none more glaring than defensive consistency to start the season. By opting to start Big Ben, the Pistons can commit to playing aggressive defense from the opening tip.