RUMOR HAS IT…

In this week's section geared exclusively towards the latest rumors floating around the NBA…

Ben Wallace Wonders Why He's a Bull: The Chicago Bulls (1-6) dropped another, losing to the Suns in Phoenix on Thursday night.  After the game an emotional Ben Wallace wondered why Coach Skiles kept him on the bench late in the game when the Bulls were having trouble defensively.

"If I can't go out there and help this team get stops down the stretch, then why am I here?" he asked reporters after the game.

Wallace was lured away from the Detroit Pistons by Chicago to anchor the Bulls' defense.  He helped Chicago sweep the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs - but overall his run in Chicago has not lived up to expectations.

The Bulls have floundered this season, surrounded by losses and rampant trade rumors (Kobe Bryant). 

"We just to gotta keep fighting; stay in the fight," says Wallace.  "We dug this hole; we've got to find a way out."

But does Skiles have the wherewithal to turn the ship around?  Wallace is unhappy.  Luol Deng and Ben Gordon remain disappointed they weren't able to get long term extensions locked in.  The team lacks a low post scoring option and the Eastern Conference has improved.

"It's just one of those things." said Wallace.  "It's tough sitting on the sidelines watching my teammates get beat up."

Should the Bulls look to trade him, they may find it difficult considering the $28.5 million remaining on his contract through 2010.  That's a lot for a 33-year old averaging 3.5 ppg and 4.8 rpg who is shooting just 32.1% from the field and 27.3% from the line.  Another problem is Wallace's height . . .

"I'm small.  I'm 6'6"/ 6'7"," admitted Wallace.

While that may not have been an issue when he was with the Pistons, perhaps as he's aged his athleticism has dropped off ever slightly - but enough to limit his effectiveness.

In the meantime, Wallace was rumored to be one of the players the Bulls were happy to offer to the Los Angeles Lakers.

It would appear both Wallace and the Bulls are questioning the marriage just over a year into his lucrative contract.

Isiah vs. Stephon: The New York Knicks brought their show to town Wednesday night in Los Angeles.  Stephon Marbury rejoined the team after skipping out following a fight with Coach Isiah Thomas.  Rumors are flying that the disagreement turned physical - that Marbury threatened to reveal some dirt on Thomas.

While most of that is blown way out of proportion - Thomas and Marbury certainly had a significant falling out.

Thomas all but admitted he didn't like Marbury personally, saying he's had to play and win with others he didn't get along with.

For his part Marbury refused to take the bait and commented that he "likes Isiah."

After the loss to the Clippers, Thomas was visibly upset at his team's situation.  Long pauses in answering questions suggested his was holding back either tears or a fiery rage.

For now the Knicks will move forward with Marbury on the roster.  The team can look to trade or buy out his contract but that may be a difficult way to go considering the multi-millions left on his deal.

With no obvious solution - the tension in-house may be enough to destroy whatever chemistry Thomas hoped to build this season.

Then again - putting Marbury in his place may have been the right thing to do.  Thomas is demanding a floor leader committed to playing defense.  Instead the Knicks have been playing too fast for Thomas' taste - when they should be taking advantage of the massive inside duo of Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph.

By taking a stand now, Thomas said he hoped to stop the Knicks from repeating the same mistakes they've made the last few seasons.

Of course what is more intriguing is what Thomas and Marbury refused to say about their altercation . . .

Kobe in Detroit?  Radio rumors in Detroit claimed the Los Angeles Lakers and Pistons were near a blockbuster deal sending Kobe Bryant to the Pistons for Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and first round pick.

This alleged "deal" was supposed to have been agreed to by both the Lakers and Pistons on Tuesday - only to have Bryant veto the trade.

While it's difficult to separate fact from fiction, a source close to the Lakers says it's not true.  While the Pistons and Lakers did talk a few weeks ago, nothing significant materialized.

The recent buzz, suggests the source, is probably nothing more than old news echoing about.

While a Bryant trade is certainly possible at some point this season - there doesn't appear to be anything imminent in the works.  Rather it appears the pressure to move Bryant has died down some with the Lakers' relatively strong start.

Greene Gone:  As the preseason died down and Mike Bibby went down with an injury (thumb), Orien Greene was tabbed as the temporary starter.  Unfortunately the experiment did not work and after two starts he was benched.  With the emergence of newcomer Beno Udrih along with the play of John Salmons and Francisco Garcia . . . the Kings put Greene on waivers.