The Fig Cap:  Defensive Ben Wallace vs. Offensive Ben Wallace… hmm… I’ll take defensive Ben Wallace even though he’s made of plastic.  Yeah, offensive Ben Wallace is.  Just.  That.  Bad.

Like the Fig Cap says, Big Ben’s offense is bad.  Bad and ugly.  Sort of like Wallace himself.  I mean, no offense, but if you saw him in a dark alley wouldn’t you “accidentally let yourself go” (in your pants)?  Okay, okay, so I’m stooping low to Kevin Smith type of humor, but I like that sort of thing.  In any case, it’s not all bad with Mr. Wallace as he can do other things very well that doesn’t include the basketball snapping twine.  For example, his hair brings great entertainment value - “Is it going to be braided or is it going to be Don King CRAZY?!?!?!”

Round 5, Pick 10: Ben Wallace, C, Chicago Bulls

After signing a lucrative long-term deal with the Chicago Bulls during last offseason, many wondered how Wallace would do with his new younger team.  Would he bring “the fire” he showed while with Central Division rival Detroit Pistons?  Would he get lax after signing such a huge contract?  C’mon, this is Mr. Hustle… of course not.  If you had a lot of expectations from Big Ben, maybe you were disappointed.  But, if you had a more realistic view - Wallace was getting older, it’s his first year with a much younger team, he was going to a new city from one that ABSOLUTELY ADORED him, and his type of value doesn’t always translate well to the general fan that looks at offense.  Let’s check the three-year trend:

2004-05: 74 G; 36:06 Min; 45.3 FG%; 0.0 3PTM; 42.8 FT%; 12.2 RPG; 1.7 APG; 1.1 TO; 1.4 SPG; 2.4 BPG: 9.7 PPG - Detroit Pistons
2005-06: 82 G; 35:17 Min; 51.0 FG%; 0.0 3PTM; 41.6 FT%; 11.3 RPG; 1.9 APG; 1.1 TO; 1.8 SPG; 2.2 BPG; 7.3 PPG - Detroit Pistons
2006-07: 77 G; 35:00 Min; 45.3 FG%; 0.0 3PTM; 40.8 FT%; 10.7 RPG; 2.4 APG; 1.3 TO; 1.4 SPG; 2.0 BPG; 6.4 PPG - Chicago Bulls

So, obviously, Wallace’s production declined in the Windy City, but not so bad that you shouldn’t consider him at your Center spot.  He still brings the boards, the blocks, the pill pilfering, and a horrendously ugly percentage from the charity stripe.  Remember when I said Ben was bad and ugly?  His free-throw “accuracy” is that same Ben, but with huge Seal-like scars across his cheeks.  For those of you that played Dungeons & Dragons (I don’t care what I’m revealing here), Big Ben’s free-throw percentage would have a Charisma of -10.

Anyway, I truly believe that in his second season with Da Bulls, Ben will do a lot better as he’s more comfortable with the team AND head coach Scott Skiles recently made an exception with Wallace in regards to Skiles’ “No Headbands” rule.  Yes, folks, once again Wallace will be donning the headband and just as Samson needed his long hair for strength, Big Ben gets part of mojo back.  Look for the defensive stats to be there without question and double-digit boards.  If you go in expecting only those things with the rest of it being gravy on the meat, you’ll be able to plan the rest of your draft around that and make up for Wallace’s shortcomings.  Too bad you can’t draft like three Steve Nashes to bring up the charity stripe percentage.

On this team, Wallace adds to the blocks and steals this team was really only getting from Bosh and Kidd.  Adding someone that can shoot from the line very well will need to be addressed, however.  Overall, the team is looking good offensively, so a shot of defense works well here.

Other Players on this Fantasy Team:
1.10. Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors
2.3. Jason Kidd, PG, New Jersey Nets
3.10. Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Bucks
4.3. Brandon Roy, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers

Previous Picks this Round
5.1. Antawn Jamison, PF/SF, Washington Wizards
5.2. Kirk Hinrich, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
5.3. Mo Williams, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
5.4. Zach Randolph, PF, New York Knicks
5.5.Rasheed Wallace, PF, Detroit Pistons
5.6.Mike Miller, SG/SF, Memphis Grizzles
5.7. Manu Ginobili, SG, San Antonio Spurs
5.8. Ricky Davis, SG/SF, Minnesota Timberwolves
5.9. LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Portland Trail Blazers

Previous Round Selections
Round One Recap
Round Two Recap
Round Three Recap
Round Four Recap