STATS: Big Ben Wallace

Some questioned whether or not the Bulls spent their off-season cap money wisely. Skeptics point to Wallace’s poor low post skill and abysmal free throw performance. Wallace, considered one of the best free agents on the market, will prove to the Bulls that he is well worth his paycheck - at least for the next two seasons. The Bulls, despite the lack of an established inside presence, have led the league in defensive field goal percentage for the past 2 seasons. To achieve these numbers, the Bulls defense tended to sag to the middle to help protect the basket. Due to this movement, the Bulls tallied the most defensive 3 seconds over the course of the 2005-06 campaign with 60 violations. On the surface this does not appear to be significant, but giving away up to 46.2(60 free throws/77.2 Bulls opponents free throw %) free points over the course of a year may have had an impact. If the Bulls were able to decrease the number of defensive 3 second violations to 30 there is an opportunity to decrease their opponents’ scoring by .37 PPG.

Team	Rank	Defensive 3 Seconds
Bulls	30th	60
Cavaliers	15th	33
Pistons	1st	11

Last season the Bulls ranked 23rd in fast break offense; scoring only 9.6 points per game. With Ben Wallace under the basket the Bulls should generate more blocked shots, steals, and rebounds. These factors will lead to additional offensive fast break opportunities and relieve pressure placed on the jump shooting offense, run by Ben Gordan and Kirk Hinrich. In addition to the poor offensive fast break ranking, the Bulls ranked dead last in steals per game. With Wallace supporting them, Bull’s guards and wingmen can take more risks in the passing lanes. If the Bulls add an additional 1.5 steals per game to their repertoire they should be able to capitalize and score at least 3 additional points per game on break outs.

Tyson Chandler		Ben Wallace
5.3	PPG	7.3
9.6	RPG	11.3
2.4	BPG	2.2
1	APG	1.9
.5	SPG	1.8
1.6	TO	1.1

Based on the statistical performances of Tyson Chandler and Ben Wallace, the Bulls should gain a few extra possessions per game from the Wallace acquisition. Rebound, steals, and turnover statistic comparisons indicate Ben Wallace should add approximately 3.5 extra possessions per game over Tyson Chandler. These statistical categories can all be seen as additional ways to gain extra possessions, whether it is an offensive rebound, a steal or one less turnover a game, each in its own way provides an extra opportunity on the offensive end. If the Bulls can capitalize on just 40% of these possessions they will be able to increase their scoring output by 2.8 PPG.

Fast Break Scoring	+3 PPG
Defensive 3 Seconds	+.37 PPG
Extra Possessions	+2.8 PPG (3.540%2 Points)
Total	6.17 PPG

Ben Wallace does not bring a great inside presence on the offensive end, but his outstanding defense and leadership will validate the Bulls’ wise decision to acquire him. The 2006-07 Bulls, with the help of Ben Wallace, are looking to escape the first round of the playoffs for the first time in a decade.

Comments

An excellent, thoughtful analysis, backed by hard hitting statistics. Even though Ben's FG%/FT% is poor, his ability to gain O-boards (career 3.6 vs. Chandler's career 2.6) and his total points per game gives him a slight offensive advantage over Chandler. So even in an offensive sense, Wallace still has the relative upper hand when compared to Chandler. For what he lacks in accuracy, he makes up in offensive rebounds, steals (Wallace - 1.3 vs. Chandler - 0.6) and less turnovers (Wallace - 1.03 vs. Chandler - 1.51).

Posted by: Bill | November 1, 2006 9:43 AM

He is the 2nd best center in the NBA today. Next to Shaq.

Posted by: Mario Rosser | November 9, 2006 4:35 PM

Big Ben Wallace

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