Big Ben "I'm Not Sorry" <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Ben Wallace knew he wasn't supposed to wear a headband, and he's not sorry. But the Chicago Bulls and their biggest free-agent signing in years might have bigger problems than his choice of accessories: He told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday that he has ligament damage and chipped bones in his right hand. That's a more serious diagnosis than the sprained index finger and wrist contusion the team disclosed following an MRI on Monday. Wallace played in the Bulls' 102-85 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night -- and played without a headband. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year has struggled to fit in with his new team after leaving the Detroit Pistons for a four-year, $60 million contract. The 32-year-old center is averaging 5.5 points and 9.2 rebounds a game and the team's defense looks worse than last season. Media reports in Chicago have indicated Wallace is unhappy with his new team. He has reportedly butted heads with the team on other issues, like playing music in the locker room, and has had problems with other coaches in the past. The team also has a rule against wearing headbands -- despite the fact it is using a photo of Wallace wearing one to promote the team -- and Wallace was benched Saturday during a 106-95 victory over the Knicks for wearing one. </div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"If you know the rules and break them, you expect to be punished. I can't try to put myself above the team or anybody else and wear a headband like I did. I'm man enough to take the punishment. But I'm not sorry." So why did he do it? "I just felt like wearing it," he told the Tribune. -- Ben Wallace</div> Source Originally I sided with Big Ben on the issue, because I was under the impression he didn't know about Skiles policies, and Skiles slipped it under the rug during the press conference. According to this quote, he was aware of the rules and still went out and broke them. Even though the rule is retarded and petty, Wallace is at fault here. He knowingly went against his coach and knew he would be disciplined. The Bulls deserve better than that type of attitude from a player they invested $60M into.
I somewhat agree and disagree. Sure he shouldn't go against the rule, but thats his image. What the hell kind of rule is that anyway...what if you sweat alot and it gets in ur eyes....insanity. You would think that they could come to a mutual agreement here.
The blame is 60-40 to me (Ben gets 60%, Skiles gets 40%). Like shape said, I have to change my opinion now knowing that Wallace was aware of the rule beforehand. But, aside from that, both of them are guilty of placing emphasis on being right on a trivial matter over the success of the team. This really shouldn't be as big as its become, and both of them are responsible for that.
I don't even think it's about the headband any more at this point. The way Wallace has handled this situation has taken him from the role someone who was wronged, and completely turned the script around. Wallace does not have the right to do what he is doing right now. Although, I still feel it's being overblown Wallace is a veteran he should handle himself like one.
