Wallace latest in line of failed experiments
The full story can be a little sad when taken in its entirety.
It begins at a news conference filled with smiling faces and soaring expectations, then usually ends with a quiet thud and thousands of fans wondering what went wrong.
Ben Wallace is just the latest entry in a thick book of celebrated Chicago sports acquisitions that quickly turned sour.
Wallace was a four-time NBA defensive player of the year when he jumped from the rival Detroit Pistons to the Bulls as a free agent in 2006, signing a four-year deal worth $60 million.
Tonight, Wallace will visit the United Center as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was sent away in a Feb. 21 trade, following in the footsteps of fired coach Scott Skiles as a scapegoat for a disappointing season.
"Ben came here and it just didn't work the way everybody thought it was going to work," Bulls coach Jim Boylan said Wednesday at the Berto Center. "We were in a position as an organization where we got under the salary cap and we needed to try to add a piece. At the time, it seemed like the perfect fit."
We've seen it all before. Chicago pro teams have added good players who couldn't contribute to winning -- Albert Belle (White Sox), Bryan Cox (Bears), Fred McGriff (Cubs), to name a few.
Those same teams have made questionable acquisitions who contributed little -- Ron Mercer (Bulls), Eddie Robinson (Bulls), Todd Hundley (Cubs), David Wells (White Sox), Rick Mirer (Bears).
The Bulls' experience with Wallace brings back memories of an earlier attempt to strike gold with an aging center. On Sept. 3, 1974, they landed the legendary Nate Thurmond in a trade with Golden State for Clifford Ray, a draft choice and cash.
While Thurmond averaged 11.3 rebounds and 7.9 points that season, the Bulls were knocked off in the Western Conference finals by Ray and the Warriors. The Bulls went in the tank the following season and Thurmond was traded to Cleveland on Nov. 27, 1975.
It is worth noting that in his Bulls debut, Thurmond produced the first quadruple-double in NBA history, with 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocks against Atlanta.
Likewise, Wallace had plenty of strong moments during his first season with the Bulls. This year nothing seemed to click, and Wallace isn't the only player to blame. But he did collect the largest paycheck.
"Ben came in as the final piece," Boylan said. "There was a lot of pressure with that and the contract. Sometimes, it was good. Sometimes, it wasn't so good. It was a tough go for him at times.
"I enjoyed my time with Ben. I enjoyed coaching him. I know the expectations that the Bulls were going to win the Eastern Conference and make the NBA Finals. That didn't happen, so fans became frustrated. I understand that. But I have no problems with Ben Wallace."
Wallace already played against the Bulls on Sunday in Cleveland and helped the Cavs post a 95-86 victory. Since the trade, he has spoken fondly of his former Bulls teammates and will understand if he gets a negative reaction from Bulls fans tonight.
"The only thing I would be disappointed about is if I get no reaction at all," Wallace said Sunday inside the Cavaliers' locker room. "Because I deserve it, one way or the other.
"If they come out and they boo like they mean it, then I'll live with that. If they come out and cheer like they mean it, then I'll live with that. But no reaction? I'm not going to like that."