By Rick Gano
CHICAGO (AP) _ Chicago Bulls general manager John Paxson and coach Scott Skiles were dressed down and casual when they went to Detroit earlier this month with a sales pitch for Ben Wallace.
They wanted to make Wallace feel comfortable and open his eyes before opening up the checkbook.
``We didn't go in there in tuxes or anything. We went in there in jeans,'' Paxson said. ``That's who we are, we tried to show him that's what we are about. You try to sell yourself in the way you are and hopefully it works.''
It worked. Wallace was impressed enough during the meeting with what Paxson and Skiles had to say about their young basketball team, the direction it was heading and the role he would play. A big contract didn't hurt their position, either.
``I wasn't going to leave Detroit to go to a team that wasn't going to be a contender,'' Wallace said Thursday when he signed a four-year, $60 million deal US with the Bulls.
``Just the fact they came to Detroit and were willing to come to my house and sit down and talk to me says a lot.''
The six-foot-nine Wallace, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, will give the Bulls and their young nucleus an inside presence they lacked while being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs two straight seasons.
Wallace helped the Pistons make four straight conference finals, capture a championship two years ago and win 64 games last season. But he decided to leave after the Bulls made a better offer.
And now he'll be trying to beat the Pistons while playing in the same division.
``It's definitely taking the rivalry to another level. Chicago and Detroit have always been great rivals,'' Wallace said. ``I think everybody should get some popcorn and sit there and watch it.''
Everyone will be watching the Bulls now to see if Wallace, who turns 32 in September, can make Chicago a contender again.
``This obviously raises expectations and that's what you work for,'' Skiles said, adding that Wallace's swagger and his presence in the locker room will be just as important as his talent.
``I think it is critical where we are right now for our young guys. They need that kind of presence around them on a daily basis,'' he said
Wallace ranked fourth in the NBA last season in rebounding (11.3), ninth in blocks (2.2) and 10th in steals (1.78) _ the only player among the top 10 in all three categories.
He averaged 7.3 points this past season and has not averaged double digits in any of his 10 years in the league. Since beginning his career with the Washington Wizards, he has averaged 6.6 points and made 42 percent of his free throws.
Asked why his percentage from the line was so low, Wallace showed a sense of humour.
``Because I miss more than I make,'' he said.
``Frankly, I can look at him right now and say I don't care if you make them or not,'' Skiles said, adding he plans to work with Wallace on his accuracy.
As for reports that he wanted to be more involved in the offence, Wallace said that he was misunderstood.
``When I say I wanted to be involved in the offence, they think I'm looking to go out and take 20-30 shots,'' Wallace said. ``I'm not looking to take shots, I just want to be part of the offence, be part of the game on both ends of the floor.
``You don't have to score to be involved in the offence. You can make passes to set your teammates up, make plays for yourself and your teammates.''
Wallace apparently didn't always see eye-to-eye with Pistons coach Flip Saunders and reports say he refused to re-enter a game once this season in the fourth quarter.
Will their be any problems with a strong-willed coach like Skiles?
``Things aren't going to always run smooth,'' Wallace said. ``I think when your relationship is developed as a player-coach is not how you handle success or when things are going well. I think you ultimately develop that relationship when things are not going as well.''
Paxson said with ample salary cap space it was a no-brainer to go after Wallace since he was the type player the Bulls have been lacking.
``We were looking for the best player we could who would fit into the style we play,'' Paxson said. ``Ben is a big piece of what we are trying to accomplish. All we are trying to do is put together a team that can and win at a high level.''
And that's something that Wallace was able to do for the Pistons.
``I think the Bulls right now, we're right there,'' Wallace said. ``We can challenge anybody.''
