Ben Wallace Leaning Towards NBA Return

The Detroit Pistons have yet to officially replace head coach John Kuester, but some of the players are beginning to look toward next season anyway. One of them is Ben Wallace, who, it appears, will be in a jersey when the time comes. Via the Winnipeg Free Press: “Charlie Villanueva and Ben Wallace agree on the most important task for the next coach of the Detroit Pistons. ’Communication,’ Villanueva said. ‘Have somebody who can communicate with their players.’ Villanueva teamed up with Detroit Lions wide receiver Derrick Williams to host a celebrity softball game Saturday, with the proceeds benefiting foundations the two have worked with. It’s been about a week since the Pistons fired John Kuester, and as the team searches for a replacement, both Villanueva and Wallace took brief breaks from softball to offer thoughts on the next coach. ’Just somebody who can relate and communicate with the guys — can make his point and stick to it,’ Wallace said. The 36-year-old Wallace, who has been considering retirement, said he might in fact keep playing. ’I'm leaning more towards coming back,’ Wallace said. ‘It’s just a matter of getting myself healthy and getting ready to play.’ Aside from the possibility of an NBA lockout, the Pistons face more uncertainty than most teams. New owner Tom Gores officially took over less than two weeks ago and left team president Joe Dumars in place to head the rebuilding effort. Detroit went 30-52 last season amid feuding between coaches and players.”