There comes a point in every sensitive negotiation when sound business sense trumps emotion. And though it’s difficult saying goodbye to the man who provided the scowl to the Pistons’ defensive ferocity, they had no alternative but to let Ben Wallace blow away to the Windy City.
The Bulls’ offer of four years and $60 million is financial suicide, too much of a long-term investment for a player with special gifts but lacking in some key areas. In their minds, they strengthened themselves by weakening the Pistons.
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Wallace left because he knew the Pistons no longer were interested in playing a primarily defensive style. It became evident throughout their startling slide out of the playoffs that the new personality of this team would follow coach Flip Saunders and his principal on-court surrogate, Chauncey Billups.
For the Pistons to keep intact a core that went to four straight Eastern Conference finals with two trips to the NBA Finals and a league championship in 2004 wasn’t worth the financially crippling effects of matching the Bulls’ offer.
So let him go. Wish him well. Thank him for the memories.
The Pistons now can fully commit to chartering a new course, more in tune with the new, offensive-friendly climate of the NBA. It’s all about stars. It’s all about scoring.
Resentment might be a popular emotion right now in regard to Big Ben. Some might say, “How dare he leave after all that this team and city did for him?”
But the truth is that stars in sports today are like leasing a car. You make the payments for two years, then turn it in for something newer.
There’s no longer forever. That’s why you have to appreciate what you get because it all can end abruptly.