No timetable for Ben Wallace's return

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 29, 2007 8:07 AM CST in News

No exact word on how long Ben Wallace will be out after his knee was injured in Saturday's game, but the MRI results indicate it won't be a long-term absence. It was certainly a scary-looking injury, and unfortunately the kind that happens when you encourage flopping defense.

Team depth though isn't just to help out in your trade machine scenarios, it's supposed to help in the inevitable cases of injury. So this means more time for guys like Tyrus Thomas, who can just go out there and be told to do his Ben Wallace imitation (hopefully including not shooting). Prolific BlogABull commenter PaxsonJaxson looks over Wallace's short-term replacements on his blog (yes, he has his own Bulls blog! I consider it a spin-off), and like me doesn't think things will be so bad in Wallace's time out. Furthermore, hopefully the able-bodies behind him can allow Wallace (who had a couple great games this week) take his time in coming back.

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Step it up

It's time for the other Bigs to step up and fill in for Ben who was playing one of his best all around games all year.

Come back strong Big Ben.

Bulls need to get this road trip started off with a win in LA.

by bulls4LARGE on Jan 29, 2007 9:34 AM CST reply actions

Spin-off?

I guess, but I'd like to think my blogging work is more "Rhoda" than "Joanie Loves Chachi."

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jan 29, 2007 1:01 PM CST reply actions

A Glimpse into the playoffs future...

Big Ben has proven that he is a complete force when he wants to be. If, in the playoffs, he comes out with this effort every night... I can see big things for this team.

Get well soon Ben

The red and white

by Scott 9 on Jan 29, 2007 1:02 PM CST reply actions

yup

past 2 games he's been great...both nationaly televised games too. coincidence?

either way, if he saves it for the bigger games he may be a fraud but at least all playoff games are 'big'.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 29, 2007 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

I am looking forward to seeing what Tyrus can do

in some extended minutes on the road.

That being said, I hope Ben gets healthy soon.

by 1958ChiTown on Jan 29, 2007 1:20 PM CST reply actions

Ben seems

like a tough guy so I bet he will be back soon.

Get well soon Ben!

Thabo....the accent is sweet!!

by sue369 on Jan 29, 2007 2:21 PM CST reply actions

come playoffs

our bench and young players will benefit a lot from any extra minites because of Wallace's absence... hopefully he isn't out too long tho

by Zac23 on Jan 29, 2007 2:37 PM CST reply actions

I just don't get...

Why Big Ben doesn't play like he's capable of ALL THE TIME. I really think that's been a big part of the inconsistency with the team. Certain nights, he feels like playing; others, he doesn't.

Given the strict work ethic EVERYONE ELSE on the team is held to, you'd think Skiles would have a fit after a while.

Ben Gordon = Trade Bait

by raalickeller on Jan 29, 2007 2:47 PM CST reply actions

Agreed...

but I don't see the Skiles "fit". Wallace really does take this team to another level when he's as active as he's been the past couple of games. He's been inactive too frequently in my opinion.

Looking forward to seeing T2 get some time, but pray not to see anything but put-backs and fast break hoops. While we need his help this year, I pray that he works his butt off in the off season. In a half court set his game is predicated on jumping high (very high in his case), hoping to get fouled (which happens often) and when he doesn't, hitting the backboard and rim if he's exceedingly lucky.

by EdNealy on Jan 29, 2007 3:34 PM CST up reply actions

I agree too.

It is frustrating when players don't play like they are capable all of the time. Also, the comment that he did show up the last two games that were national televised is even more frustrating. Lets hope he can just turn it on when we needed it in the playoffs, but I would like to see that effort every night, so the Bulls can go on a bit of a winning streak themselves.

Im thinking Deng is going to help out a lot more on the glass without Big Ben.

by Jesse07 on Jan 29, 2007 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

SO Frustrating...

I mean, when Dennis Rodman played here, nobody cared what he did off the court (even ON the court sometimes) because he gave 150% effort EVERY GAME.

I'd rather have Big Ben sit out every other game than play some games with less effort. It seems like playing for Skiles is very demanding in the sense that if you're on the court in a fifty point blowout, or a tight game, you should exhurt the same energy regardless (and I see most of these guys doing that).

It's probably just a problem with Wallace because he's making so much money. If he wasn't a 'superstar' I bet Skiles would bench him when he's not giving it all out there. Sigh.

Oh well. It just doesn't seem fair that 90% of the squad gives their all each game, and Big Ben gets to coast through some of them.

Ben Gordon = Trade Bait

by raalickeller on Jan 30, 2007 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

If Rodman was at 150%

Is Noc at 135%?

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 30, 2007 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

Seeing

a reference to Rodman made me look up his numbers...
I wasn't aware that he veraged 18.7 rebounds for the Pistons!
Followed by Seaons Averages of 18.3, 17.3, 16.8,14.9,16, and 15... Al this at the Enourmous height of 6'7" - and he never averaged more than 6points for the Bulls... There is no comaprison between him and Noc and Ben, but to say that a small PF can't thrive in the Bulls is proven to be a wrong statement. Obviously, we dont have Jordan and Pip to fall back on, but you get my point, right?

by Goostafer on Jan 30, 2007 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

point?

The Bulls already have a small ultra-rebounding-no-offense Center.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 30, 2007 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Oh

I know... Im just stating the obvious I guess.. and not directed toward your comments. Just saying that anyone who thinks having a small PF wont work is wrong. Not that we ever had a scoring Center either...

by Goostafer on Jan 30, 2007 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think

anyone ever said you can never have a 'small' PF. You just can't have one on THIS team. And in particular THIS small PF.

by your friendly BullsBlogger on Jan 30, 2007 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

Hmmm...

ok. I guess if he was a little more of a rebounder and better defensive. He would... Im in for trading Noc regardless.

by Goostafer on Jan 30, 2007 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

From Rotowire

Jan 28 Webber made his fifth consecutive start at center on Sunday and scored 17 points with 13 rebounds in Detroit's victory over Indiana.

Recommendation: The Pistons are 4-1 since inserting Webber into the starting lineup, and he's averaged 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds during that span.

Cudda, wudda, shudda.

But he doesn't practice hard and make jump shots from the perimeter. That's what we need on this team.

by rednomore on Jan 29, 2007 8:51 PM CST reply actions

Oh please

by Paxson Jackson @ Blog a Bull on Jan 29, 2007 8:52 PM CST up reply actions

If Wallace's injury was more serious...

I'd be crying a lot louder about the Bulls not even looking at Webber, but Detroit works for C-Webb. They're a very veteran team with Sheed and McDyess at the PF and C, so much isn't asked of Webber. He's in a perfect team setting for his skill set: pick-n-roll jumpers, wide-body help defense, not too much movement.