Exactly When Did Ben Wallace Become A Whiny Priss?

Ben Wallace used to be that blue collar hustle player that marketing campaigns are built around. He was the embodiment of the Pistons “Going to Work” promotions. He even had the background story. He was that son of share-croppers who went to Virginia Union and worked his way into the league through hard work and hustle. He was short for a center, but his size wasn’t an issue because of his strenuous workout schedule. He wasn’t the smoothest player, but that didn’t matter because he hustled. And cared. He did the little things. He was the motor on a team that won the NBA championship. It didn’t even matter that he wasn’t white, a usual pre-requisite for the scrappy, lovable team player. (See David Eckstein, Mike Alstott, et al.) Then things changed, apparently.

He got into stupid arguments with Flip Saunders about his coaching. He had cryptic, backhanded comments to the media. He refused to re-enter games. Then he bolted town to Chicago. Now he’s bitching that he can’t listen to his iPod and can’t wear a headband.

Now, the team rules he’s breaking are definitely arbitrary and, I must say, pointless. Why exactly does Ben Wallace have to have his ankles taped, anyways? Ben Wallace just seems to be bitching about everything nowadays. Jeesh man, the Bulls paid you a load and they didn’t even expect you to score. Just shut up and play good help defense and be aggressive on the boards. If you want to not tape your ankles and wear a headband, talk to Skiles about it. I don’t care. Going to the press about this non-issue just makes you seem like a petulant jerk.

Maybe that’s exactly what Ben Wallace is. And maybe that’s exactly what Ben Wallace always was. Just because his style of play fit into the good-soldier mold, we all assumed he was different than most professional athletes. Or maybe Ben Wallace just needs a better publicist.