Detroit Pistons veteran Ben Wallace says Richard Hamilton primed to make Chicago Bulls impact – NBA Update
Chicago Bulls shooting guard Richard Hamilton has been backed by Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons to come up big for his team in the NBA playoffs. Wallace and Hamilton of course spent years together and the Detroit franchise where they won the NBA World
Championship back in 2004.
The Bulls acquired Hamilton at the start of the current NBA season as he was no longer wanted at the Pistons. Hamilton hasn’t really set the stage on fire since arriving, largely because of injuries and limited game time. Ben though believes that won’t matter
when the playoffs arrive, because Hamilton will deliver.
"Rip will stretch the floor," Wallace said, commenting on his former teammates deadly shooting skills.
Wallace went on to explain just how dangerous an offensive weapon “Rip” could turn out to be. Hamilton has years of experience behind him and array of skills to back up his talent.
"He demands that everyone pays attention to him. He can make plays with the ball or off the ball. He can pass. He's big enough to see over the defence. He can post, catch-and-shoot. He brings a number of things to your team."
Not only that, Hamilton is also a very accomplished defender. The 2004 Pistons team that won the NBA Championship was famous for its stifling defence. Wallace was arguably the centrepiece of their defensive efforts back then, but it has to be noted that
Richard has always played a part.
"He's an annoying pest," Wallace said. "He might not get a ton of steals or blocks, but he's almost always in the right position."
These are indeed the qualities that prompted the Bulls to make a move for Hamilton. Chicago topped the Eastern Conference last season and went on to reach the Conference finals. They were though beaten by the star studded Miami Heat side in a series where
super star Derrick Rose seemed to suffer under Miami’s defensive might.
Hamilton was brought in to give Rose support in the backcourt, as he is someone to be feared by opposing defences. The Bulls can therefore expect Rose not to be hounded by as many double teams as he was last season, because Hamilton will make the opposition
pay.
Although his progress has been hampered by various factors since joining up with the Bulls, head coach Tom Thibodeau isn’t worried. Tom believes that the veteran is settling in just fine and would be an asset when the time arrived.
"Each game, I think Rip does better and better," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He's coming along about like I would expect."
If Rip can perform anywhere near he used to in his golden Detroit days, than Chicago would be a near unstoppable force.
Tags: