"I’ll go out there and do what I can do and play as hard as I can play," said Wallace on his style of leadership. "If that’s not enough to motivate a guy, then he’s on the wrong team."

July 13, 2006 – The Bulls and Ben Wallace made it official on Thursday, introducing the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year to Chicago after he signed a four-year deal with the team. Following the press conference, Bulls.com caught up with Wallace to discuss why he chose Chicago, how he’ll lead, and why he’s such a dominating defender.

Bulls.com: Shortly after agreeing to terms with the Bulls, you called this the “deal of a lifetime.” What was it about John Paxson and the Bulls’ pitch that made you decide to come to Chicago?
Ben Wallace: “It was the simple fact that they came to see me. They came to my house, met my family, and we all sat down. It made me feel comfortable with the situation, knowing that it was going to be tough to leave Detroit. They gave me some time to make my mind up instead of pushing me. They let me relax and think about it instead of pressing me for an answer. They offered me an opportunity to come to a new city and they acted genuine and sincere throughout the whole process.”

Bulls.com: It’s been a week since you made your decision. How’s it feel to have the contract signed and to officially be a member of the Bulls?
Wallace: “It’s a great opportunity and I’m glad for it. I’m definitely excited it’s over with; now I can go back and relax a little bit. I’ll let it all sink in that I’m a Bull now.”

Bulls.com: How does it feel to step in as the team’s biggest star? Is that a role you are ready to embrace?
Wallace: “I embrace every role and every situation that is about the game. I enjoy the fact that I’m here and that I have an opportunity to play this game. My main focus will be to go out there and do whatever I can do to help this team win. Everything else, it is what it is. You handle it when you get to it. As far as going out and being a star, I’ve never considered myself a star. I’m still Ben Wallace, I’m still the same guy, and I’m always going to be that guy. I’m not going to change for anybody.”

Bulls.com: Last season, the Pistons’ title hopes fell short. Are you coming off the season with somewhat of a chip on your shoulder or something to prove?
Wallace: “As a basketball player, you always have that chip on your shoulder. I think that is what gives you that edge. Guys who don’t play with a chip on their shoulder are the guys who usually fall by the wayside. The ones who go out there every night, thinking that they have something to prove are the guys who are the most successful. I’ve definitely got a chip on my shoulder because of people saying my game fell off or how we couldn’t do this or couldn’t do that, especially when it’s about me personally and how I can’t do this or do that anymore. I look at it as a situation where I’ve always got a lot to prove.”

Bulls.com: What’s it going to be like for you the first time the Bulls take on the Pistons this season?
Wallace: “It’s just going to hype the rivalry a little bit. There’s always been a great rivalry, going back to the days of the Bad Boys and MJ, and now there’s been a little more fuel added to the fire. The rivalry might have been dying down a bit, but this will bring it back full throttle. I’ll enjoy going there and I’ll enjoy watching them come here to play. We’ll have a lot of fun with it.”

"I think we share some of the same ideas about the game of basketball," Wallace said of Scott Skiles. "He holds everybody on the floor accountable for their own actions and that’s something I can deal with."

Bulls.com: How do you plan on leading a Bulls team with an abundance of young talent?
Wallace: “I’m not a big talker; you won’t see me get up in a guy’s face to try and get my point across. But I’ll go out there and do what I can do and play as hard as I can play. If that’s not enough to motivate a guy, then he’s on the wrong team. I’m going to go out and do what I’m capable of the floor and demand that everyone else out there plays just as hard, if not harder, than me.”

Bulls.com: In Scott Skiles, you’ll get an in-your-face, hard-nosed coach who expects nothing but your best effort all of the time. What are your impressions of him and what kind of relationship do you expect to have with him?
Wallace: “I like him and I like what he’s about. I think we share some of the same ideas about the game of basketball. He holds everybody on the floor accountable for their own actions and that’s something I can deal with. I think we need that as players. Sometimes, we think we’re better than what we are, but he’s a coach that will get in our faces and demand for us to work a little harder, even though we might think we’re already playing as hard as we can possibly play.”

Bulls.com: Do you see any similarities between the current Bulls roster and the teams you played with in Detroit that had all the success?
Wallace: “I don’t think this group here is that far away from being at a level like we played at in Detroit the last couple of years. The guys are scrappy on the defensive end, and they execute well on the offensive end. They never give up either—you know they’re going to go out there and fight for 48 minutes. That’s all you can ask.”

Bulls.com: You’re obviously known for your smothering defense. How did you become such a great defender over the years? Have you always had that mindset?
Wallace: “I’m the youngest of eight boys in my family. So if I wanted to play with my older brothers, I had to do something different. I had to be scrappy and I had to be able to get hit and knocked down, then get back up and stay in the game. Ever since then, that’s how I’ve approached the game.”

Bulls.com: You averaged a career-best 9.7 ppg during the 2004.05 season. Do you think you will become more of an offensive player in Chicago?
Wallace: “Like I try to tell a lot of people, being involved in the offense is not just about scoring. It’s about moving the ball, setting picks, and making sure everybody is where they need to be. It’s about recognizing match ups and trying to take advantage of them. I’m not looking to come in here and all of a sudden average 20 points. I just want to make my presence felt on both ends of the floor.”

Bulls.com: The bulk of the Bulls’ young core remains, and John Paxson has added some considerable new talent this offseason. What are your expectations for the future of the team?
Wallace: “My expectations are high. I’ve watched these guys play and I’ve seen some of things they’ve done. I’ve seen some things they do well and I’ve seen some things they don’t do so well. My focus is to help them out in those areas they need help in—rebounding and defense. I want to make everybody on this team a little better and let guys know that if they go out there and play as hard as they can possibly play on the defensive end, you’ll get your reward on the offensive end.”

Bulls.com: Some experts say that the Bulls will challenge for the Eastern Conference title next season. Do you feel that is realistic?
Wallace: “I definitely think we’re going to be a contender. I’d expect nothing less than us going out every night and playing hard for 48 minutes. If we’re capable of going out there and laying it on the line for 48 minutes, I like our chances of winning.”

Bulls.com: You’ll enter your 11th season of professional basketball this fall. At the age of 31, how much basketball do you feel you have left?
Wallace: “I think you’ve got to reach the top before you make it over the hill. So do people think I’ve reached the top? I can show you better than I can tell you. I’m not one to go out and tell everyone I’m a world beater or I’m this or I’m that. I’ll let my game speak for itself.”

— Adam Fluck | Bulls.com