Should Detroit Pistons add this former player to the coaching staff?

Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton smile and look on during the second quarter in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton smile and look on during the second quarter in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Pistons’ star forward Rasheed Wallace was meant to be joining his former teammate Darvin Ham on the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

Wallace had previously been an assistant coach at the University of Memphis with Penny Hardaway and Larry Brown, and did spend one season as an assistant for the Pistons.

I absolutely hate the Lakers, so wasn’t incredibly happy to see one of my favorite Pistons of all times join the enemy.

Wallace is just one of many former Pistons from that era who have become coaches, an impressive coaching tree that shows just how smart that team was.

But according to Shams Charnia of the Athletic (SUBSCRIPTION), that is no longer the case and Sheed will not be joining the Lakers.

Should the Detroit Pistons pick up the phone and give Rasheed Wallace a call?

Why the Detroit Pistons should consider Rasheed Wallace for a coaching position

Rasheed Wallace was one of the more controversial figures from his era, the type of player you love if he is on your team but hate if he isn’t.

Whatever you think of his antics and technical fouls, no one argues that Wallace was one of the smartest players from his era, a defensive wizard who really was the final piece to the Goin’ to Work championship puzzle.

His style of play was actually ahead of its time and would be perfect for the modern game, which is one of the reasons he would make a great big man coach for the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons have already brought back the legendary Ben Wallace, so why not bring in the other half of one the best front court defenses of all time?

The Pistons currently have five players who can play center and could use a coach that knows how to teach footwork, post play and popping out on the pick-and-roll, all things Wallace excelled at.

He is also very familiar with Pistons’ rookie Jalen Duren, who he coached last season at Memphis, so he already has some relationships with key players on the team.

Whether it is as an assistant coach or some type of positional consultant, I see no downside to a reunion between the Detroit Pistons and Rasheed Wallace.