Skiles, Wallace butt heads in win Headband issue overshadows win By K.C. Johnson Tribune staff reporter November 25, 2006, 10:25 PM CST NEW YORK -- Red is a bold color, which made Ben Wallace's decision all the more glaring. Blatantly defying coach Scott Skiles' team rule prohibiting headbands, Wallace broke one out to match the Bulls' road uniforms Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. A much-needed 106-95 victory over the Knicks that snapped the Bulls' six-game losing streak now will serve only as a partial tonic to a much more flammable situation. Thirteen games into a four-year contract that will pay him $60 million, Wallace and Skiles appear to be at odds. One night after Wallace played a season-low 19 minutes 38 seconds, Skiles removed Wallace just 2:02 after tipoff for breaking the team rule. The Bulls had a team meeting for 25 minutes after the game. "That's an inside team matter," Skiles said. Is Skiles' worried Wallace's insubordination will become an issue? "No," he said. "I don't know why. I'm just not." Skiles wouldn't comment on why the rule is in effect. Wallace wouldn't comment on if he agreed with the rule. "I don't care about nothing," Wallace said. "All I know is we got the win." Asked if he understood why he was benched, Wallace mumbled. "Coach makes the decisions," he said. "I just play." After he was taken out, assistant Ron Adams went to talk to Wallace. Fellow assistant Pete Myers, Wallace's closest confidant, subsequently followed suit. Finally, assistant Jim Boylan, Skiles' right-hand man, visited him. And still the headband remained. When Wallace finally removed it, during a dead-ball situation with 2:41 left in the first quarter, Skiles called for Wallace to re-enter. He did so with 1:45 left in the first quarter and played 14:36 in the first half, grabbing four rebounds. But the trouble didn't end there. Wallace slipped the headband back on just before second-half play was set to start. Skiles immediately sent Malik Allen to the scorer's table before play started. When Wallace again removed the headband during a timeout with 5:46 left in the third, he re-entered just 81 seconds later. At this point, Boylan had taken over as coach after official Tim Donaghy ejected Skiles with two quick technical fouls 56 seconds into the third. In all, Wallace played 29 minutes, finishing with five points and seven rebounds. Given that the incident came on the heels of a game in which Skiles benched Wallace for the final 17:44, questions about Wallace's happiness are legitimate. Asked before the game why Wallace hasn't played like, well, Wallace thus far, Skiles painted a positive picture. "He has some games, but I think he would have to answer that," Skiles said. "We're not in any way unhappy with him." Showing energy early and at both ends of the floor, the Bulls built a 24-point first-half lead in a game they had to win to avoid another winless extended November trip. The Bulls forced 15 first-half turnovers in taking a 56-34 halftime lead. Luol Deng scored 16 of his 24 points before halftime, and Allen added 11 of his 15. Both Allen and seldom-used P.J. Brown contributed mightily in Wallace's absence. Kirk Hinrich added 21 points and eight assists for the Bulls. The Knicks ripped off a 21-11 run to open the fourth and halve their deficit and then pulled to within 98-93 on an Eddy Curry dunk with 1:46 remaining. But Andres Nocioni hit two free throws with 1:23 left and then took a charge from David Lee to right the ship. Beyond Wallace's apparent insubordination, Skiles' ejection and the six-game losing streak, the Bulls needed this victory to restore their confidence. Nocioni, who contributed 19 points and seven rebounds, made a startling admission before the game. "Defense is a mentality, and I think we have lost complete confidence," he said. Skiles listed six specific problems when asked what ailed the Bulls' defense. "There's many more, but I thought I was boring you," Skiles said, smiling. The Wallace situation is no laughing matter. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...bulls-headlines
That is just flat out ridiculous... benching your $60 million prized free agent signing because he wants to wear a headband? Wow, just wow... :no1:
That sucks. When I think of headband I think of Ben Wallace, but oh well, he should just respect the rule and take it off. Notice how you never see a Heat player wearing a headband...Pat Riley is another strict coach when it comes to them.
I think Skiles thinks it gives the Bulls a bad image to the NBA for some reason. But Wallace has to under stand there is a rule out there and you have to folllow it seems like he was challnging Skiles or something.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Pinoy Balla @ Nov 26 2006, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Skiles thinks it gives the Bulls a bad image to the NBA for some reason. But Wallace has to under stand there is a rule out there and you have to folllow it seems like he was challnging Skiles or something.</div>How does it seem like he was challenging Skiles? I just think this is stupid though... I mean, come on, wearing a headband! Wow... I'm surprised nobody is chastising Skiles like they did Stern when he fined JO $5,000 for wearing that armband.
Yeah but when you been wearing it for like 11 years you want too keep on wearing it.. Really I hate wearing headbands.. Sometimes I wear it just 2 match ... But hey we gave him 60 mill... just leave the headband off no matter how dumb it is
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BigMo763 @ Nov 26 2006, 12:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That is just flat out ridiculous... benching your $60 million prized free agent signing because he wants to wear a headband? Wow, just wow... :no1:</div>This isn?t about the headband, or if headbands are right or wrong.The Bulls have a great core of young players. With or without Ben Wallace they should be contenders in a few years. The Bulls brought Ben for his rebounding and defensive presence, and maybe more importantly they wanted the leadership of a veteran all star caliber player. What kind of message does the veteran refusing to listen to the coach send to the young players on the Bulls? This guy could be a huge distraction, and could devastate a young team. Here in Detroit he was predominantly surrounded by veteran players, so his act may not have had the impact here that it could have in the windy city. More and more it looks like this could end poorly.
Scott Skiles is the coach of the Chicago Bulls, he has a rule that says headbands ARE NOT ALLOWED. His players know it's a rule. Ben Wallace defied the rules and wore one anyway. What a god damn idiot, he knows the god damn rules and he did it anyway. I don't care how stupid the rule is, he's a leader on this team and is paid like it. I don't care if it's a f*cking headband or not, what does that say to his younger teammates? Ugh. Ben Wallace has been acting like such a damn baby the last couple of years, I no longer root for the guy. Grow up.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Wow... I'm surprised nobody is chastising Skiles like they did Stern when he fined JO $5,000 for wearing that armband.</div> Because people want reasons to hate on Stern. I think Skiles has an old school mentality and wants his players to look and play like it. That's why he doesn't like headbands. It's a simple gesture for Wallace not to wear one to respect his new coach and team. But I guess that's too hard for him to do, especially to a team that just gave him 60 million dollars.
All he's got to do is not wear a headband, he's still guarenteed the cash. He just can't wear a headband..Skiles made it clear he didn't want headbands worn, and if you chose to disrespect your coach, than obviously Skiles will sit your ass on the bench.
Although I think that the rule is VERY stupid, if your coach gives you certain rules to follow ahead of time, you need to abide by them. Also, if I was Skiles, I wouldnt have put Wallace in the game in the 2nd half when he put the head band back on. That just shows how stubborn he is and that he doesn't care about the coaches rules. I expected better from Big Ben.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rok @ Nov 26 2006, 03:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Because people want reasons to hate on Stern.</div>Yep, after reading most of the responses in this thread I have come to realize that... ironic.
Wallace like BCB said is a baby, this is pro sports, leave the team, or follow the rules, just stupid what he has done. On the other hand, if I was Skiles, I would have suspended the guy, thatll teach people not to mess with the coach. No questions asked, Coach says jump, you say how high?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Nov 26 2006, 07:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Although I think that the rule is VERY stupid, if your coach gives you certain rules to follow ahead of time, you need to abide by them. Also, if I was Skiles, I wouldnt have put Wallace in the game in the 2nd half when he put the head band back on. That just shows how stubborn he is and that he doesn't care about the coaches rules. I expected better from Big Ben.</div>skiles got kicked out in the 2nd half.. Im sure he would of left ben on the bench... But wallace looks better with the headband.
