Wallace says he's better now because he's healthy
The spotlight was on Ben Gordon on Wednesday, but there also was a reunion for another ex-Bull named Ben.
Ben Wallace, 35, considered retiring this summer, then decided to re-sign with the Detroit Pistons. He's playing better so far this season than he did before being traded by the Bulls in 2007-08.
Wallace is averaging 9.9 rebounds, compared to 8.8 in his final season with the Bulls. He's also way up in field-goal and free-throw percentages.
"It's because I'm healthy," Wallace said before Wednesday's game. "When you're not healthy, nothing goes right. Your food doesn't taste good. Your ride doesn't feel right.
"Now I'm healthy and for the most part having a pretty good season."
Wallace, an expensive free-agent Bulls addition in 2006, was asked if he can sympathize with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, another hyped newcomer who hasn't played well this fall.
"I took (the Bulls) farther than they'd been since Mike," said Wallace, referring to Jordan. "So I had no trouble. One player don't make no team. One player doesn't cause a team to win. One player doesn't cause a team to lose. That's why they call it a team. Michael couldn't do it until he got help."
Pargo plays hurt: Coach Vinny Del Negro was asked before the game about managing his backup guard tandem of Jannero Pargo and Lindsey Hunter. Pargo hasn't shot well this season, and Hunter, who turns 39 on Thursday, played more minutes in Monday's loss to the Bucks.
"Jannero's not feeling real well in terms of his hip," Del Negro said. "He's been battling through it all season. He goes out there, starts running, it gets real tight on him and locks up. You can see it on the film; you can see it in practice."
No fight brewing: Ben Wallace had little to say about the latest crazy quotes from Lakers forward Ron Artest. Besides admitting that he consumed alcohol at halftime when he played for the Bulls from 1999-2002, Artest said in an interview with The Sporting News that he's still interested in fighting Wallace.
A shove from Wallace started the skirmish that eventually grew into the infamous 2004 brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills when Artest played for Indiana.
"That's Artest, man," Wallace said. "You all know Ron Artest. He used to drink at halftime."
Bull horns: Rookie James Johnson did not play at all in the last two games against Detroit and Milwaukee. - The Pistons lost two video reviews in the same timeout at the end of the third quarter. A last-second dunk by Chris Wilcox was waived off and a long jumper by Ben Gordon was ruled a 2-pointer.