Detroit Pistons Blog – Page 71 – NBA Blog

Pistons re-sign Ben Wallace

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has re-signed center Ben Wallace. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Wallace appeared in 69 games (67 starts) last season averaging 5.5 points, a team-high 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a team-leading 1.2 blocks in 28.6 minutes per game.

The 14-year NBA veteran became the 17th player in NBA history to record 2,000 career blocks [at New Jersey (2/2/10)]. At 6-foot-9, he is the shortest player in league history to reach the 2,000-block plateau. Wallace also recorded his 1,200th career steal [at Phoenix (11/22/09)] to become one of only four players (Hakeem Olajuwon, Robert Parish, David Robinson) in NBA history to record 2,000 career blocks and 1,200 career steals.

Wallace, 35, has NBA career averages of 6.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 30.7 minutes in 972 games (852 starts) with Washington, Orlando, Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland.

During his first stint in Detroit (2000 to 2006) he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA All-Star four times. Wallace was an All-NBA Second Team selection three times (2003, 2004, 2006), All-NBA Third Team selection twice (2002 and 2005) and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection five times (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006).

The Pistons have made the playoffs in five of the seven years Wallace has played in Detroit, winning Eastern Conference Championships in 2004 and 2005 and the NBA Championship in 2004. Wallace is the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season and playoff blocks (1,381 and 215, respectively) and ranks first among Pistons’ all-time playoff leaders in rebounds (1,237).

He holds franchise single-game records for blocks in a game (10 – twice), defensive rebounds in a quarter (10) and blocks in a quarter (6). During the 2006-07 season, he became just the fifth player in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals for seven consecutive seasons joining Hakeem Olajuwon (12 times), Julius Erving (seven times), Sam Lacey (seven times) and David Robinson (seven times). Wallace ranks fourth among active players in career blocks with 2,032 and led the NBA in blocks during the 2001-02 season (3.48 bpg).

Originally acquired by the Pistons along with Chucky Atkins in exchange for Grant Hill as part of a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando (8/3/00), Wallace signed with Chicago as a free agent on July 13, 2006. He was traded by Chicago to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade on February 21, 2008.

InsideHoops.com editor says: This move makes sense. Why not keep Big Ben around? He likely signed for the league minimum or something close, and is a good veteran presence, though at this point he’s best used in extremely limited minutes to grab some boards and slam into people.

Dennis Rodman OK after car flips on highway

The AP reports:

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman walked away unhurt after riding in an SUV that flipped over on an interstate in South Florida.

Sgt. Mark Wysocky of the Florida Highway Patrol said Rodman and another passenger weren’t injured in the single-vehicle crash on Saturday on Interstate 95 near Fort Lauderdale. The driver was taken to a hospital.

Wysocky said the Land Rover flipped over after having a tire problem. No charges are expected…

Rodman had just returned to the U.S. from the Caribbean island of St. Tropez, where he had a disc-jockey gig.

Pistons re-sign Will Bynum

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has re-signed guard Will Bynum to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

According to Michigan Live, “A team source said this week the deal is worth a guaranteed $9.75 million over three years, while Bynum’s agent has said the contract is for $10.5 million.”

“We are pleased to re-sign Will Bynum,” said Dumars. “Will brings unique skills to our team at the point guard position and we feel his leadership and play-making abilities will continue to grow and evolve.”

Bynum, 27, appeared in a career-high 63 games (career-high 20 starts) last season, averaging career-high numbers in points (10.0), rebounds (2.3), assists (4.3), steals (0.9) and minutes (26.5). He led the team in scoring three times and assists 25 times. Bynum dished out career-high 20 assists vs. Washington (3/12) which was the most by a Piston since Isiah Thomas recorded 21 on 4/12/85.

The 6-foot guard appeared in 57 games (one start) during the 2008-09 campaign, averaging 7.2 points (.456 FG, .798 FT), 1.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.59 steals in 14.1 minutes per game. He scored a career-high 32 points (career-high 14-16 FT) vs. Charlotte (4/5), including a franchise-record 26 points in the fourth quarter.

The Chicago, IL native was not drafted by an NBA franchise and signed by the Pistons as a free agent on July 30, 2008. He has appeared in 120 regular season games (21 starts) during his two-year stint with Detroit, averaging 8.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 20.6 minutes per game.

Can Austin Daye be NBA shooting guard?

Perry A. Farrell of the Detroit Free Press reports:

Can Austin Daye play shooting guard in the NBA?

He certainly would be a matchup problem at 6-feet-11 — he’s taller than fellow second-year players Jonas Jerebko and DaJuan Summers. Daye spent plenty of time at the position last week during the Pistons’ Summer League in Las Vegas as the staff experimented with him at different positions.

He has the height of a power forward, the body of a small forward and the shooting range of a shooting guard, but at 22, he has plenty of room to grow physically and mentally.

The lanky shooter has the perimeter game to play the position, but whether he has the quickness to guard smaller shooting guards and the commitment to handle the defensive aspects of the position are yet to be determined.

Playing multiple positions would get him more time on the floor during the regular season.

Greg Monroe out 3-4 weeks after foot surgery

The Detroit Pistons announced today that Greg Monroe underwent a successful out-patient surgical procedure on his right foot performed by Dr. Arthur Manoli. The procedure was performed at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, MI.

Rehabilitation will begin immediately and he is expected to resume full basketball activities in three to four weeks.

The 6-foot-11 forward/center appeared in five games for the Pistons during the Vegas Summer League and averaged 14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 30.3 minutes per game. The Georgetown product was drafted by Detroit with the seventh pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Pistons deny they will move to Las Vegas

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports:

It’s a safe bet that the Detroit Pistons aren’t headed to Las Vegas — and that was even before the NBA denied a newspaper report that an investment group has an agreement in place to purchase an NBA franchise and move it to Nevada if public money is used to build an arena.

“We categorically deny that there is an NBA team under contract,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank told the Free Press today.

The Las Vegas Sun reported in its Wednesday editions that Chris Milam, CEO of International Development LLC, said he has an NBA team under contract and that all that stands in the way of pro sports coming to Vegas is Clark County’s funding for a new arena.

Timberwolves sign Darko Milicic

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent center Darko Milicic. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed. We’ll post contract info tonight.

“We are pleased to have Darko Milicic back on our ballclub,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “I believe Darko re-discovered his love for basketball last season with us, due to his relationship with Coach Rambis and the opportunity for playing time. Darko is now old enough and mature enough to harness his special basketball skills and we expect big things from him in the coming years.”

Milicic, 25, appeared in 24 games for the Timberwolves this past season after being traded to Minnesota from New York on Feb.17 in exchange for Brian Cardinal. In those 24 games (18 starts), the 7-0 center from Serbia averaged 8.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.38 blocks. Milicic established season highs with 16 points and 12 rebounds March 19 at the Lakers, and dished out a career-high five assists April 9 vs. the Lakers. He contributed 15 points, 10 rebounds and a season-high four blocks in a Wolves’ win over Sacramento on March 31.

The second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Detroit, Milicic has played seven seasons in the NBA and owns career averages of 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. His best statistical season came in 2006-07 when he averaged 8.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 80 games with Orlando.

Ben Wallace will stick with Detroit

The AP reports:

Ben Wallace says he’ll sign a two-year contract soon with the Detroit Pistons.

Wallace told The Associated Press on Sunday he heard from a lot of teams, but agreed to a two-year deal about a week ago because he wants to retire with the Pistons. He’ll make $1.9 million each season.

Raptors re-sign Amir Johnson

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they have re-signed free-agent forward Amir Johnson. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Johnson, 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, averaged career highs in points (6.2), rebounds (4.8) and minutes (17.7) while appearing in a career-best 82 games in the 2009-10 season. He upped his averages to 17.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 33.0 minutes during five games in a starting role. He also recorded a franchise single-season record by shooting .623 from the field (min. 200 shots).

Johnson scored in double-figures 21 times and posted double-digit totals on the glass on five occasions in his first season with the Raptors. He set a career high with 26 points April 12 at Detroit and grabbed a season-best 13 rebounds, including a career-high nine defensive boards, April 9 at Atlanta.

Johnson was acquired from Milwaukee with guard-forward Sonny Weems on August 18, 2009 after spending his previous four seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons.

In 2008-09, Johnson averaged 3.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 14.7 minutes in 62 games. In 24 games as a starter, he averaged 4.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.04 blocks in 19.6 minutes. He recorded 17 games with two or more blocks shots and led the Pistons in field goal percentage at .595. He had a career-high 14 rebounds versus Sacramento on January 2, 2009.

The 23-year-old was selected out of Westchester (Los Angeles) High School by the Pistons in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft.

Pistons sign rookie Greg Monroe

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed its first round draft selection Greg Monroe to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Monroe was drafted by Detroit with the seventh overall selection in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-11 forward from Georgetown University averaged 16.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocks in 34 games as a sophomore for the Hoyas. The New Orleans, LA native was named to the Big East All-Tournament team after averaging 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists on .545 shooting from the floor while leading the Hoyas to the championship game. Monroe recorded 14 double-doubles last season (13 points/rebounds and one points/assists) and led the team in scoring 13 times, rebounding 30 times and assists 15 times. He scored a career-high 29 points and tied career-high 16 rebounds at Villanova (1/17/10). His career-high 12 assists at Providence (2/9/10) were the most by a center in Big East history.

As a freshman, Monroe was named Big East Rookie of the Year after averaging 12.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 2.5 assists in 31 games. He recorded 17 consecutive double-figure scoring games, including four doubles and scored a season-high 21 points while grabbing 10 rebounds at Notre Dame (2/28/09).