I loved watching Ben Wallace play. He was my favourite Piston and by far my favourite NBA player. I know. Most Canadians dream about watching hockey and having their favourite hockey player. Not me. I watched my first Piston game way back in 1972. I used to be a seasons ticket holder. The NBA is my favourite. As they used to say back in the day, “I Love This Game!”
Back in the 1980’s I used to love watching Dennis Rodman play basketball. “The Worm” as he was called could play defence with the best of them. In fact he won defensive player of the year in the NBA at least twice. I never thought I’d enjoy another player play defence like Dennis Rodman.
Oh, was I wrong. “The Worm” was great but Ben Wallace played defence at another level. He was the heart and soul of the Pistons. Steals, rebounds, deflections, blocks, Ben did it all. He led his team through his defence, which was incredible. I once saw Ben go up for a rebound against Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota T-Wolves. Garnett, a fifth pick in the draft and 7 feet went up with Ben. I thought no way. But yes, Ben came down with the board.
After the 2006 playoffs ended in disappointment I expected the Chicago Bulls to make a big pitch for him. My reasoning was simple. The Bulls were on the rise. In fact they took NBA champion Miami to six games before losing. If they signed Ben they would easily challenge Miami for the Eastern Conference Championship. At the same time they’d weaken the Pistons. So when Ben agreed to sign with the Bulls last week, I thought it pre-ordained. I’m dissapointed, but for Ben Wallace it is the right move. He might wear another NBA championship ring again because of it.
This week I published something completely new. I was asked about a month ago if I would be interested in writing the “Market Trends” column for the Ontario Corn Producer magazine. So last week your loyal scribe turned up in the Ontario Corn Producer Magazine. You can check it out by going to.
http://www.ontariocorn.org/magazine/Regular%20Features/Market%20Trends/2006/market070806.htm
It is not my first foray into writing about “futures markets” as I’ve done lots of that before “Under the Agridome” However, This specific “Market Trends” column is all about corn futures, stocks, prices and economic conditions surrounding corn prices. I hope Ontario Corn Producers find it helpful.
Dr.A.K.Enamul Haque and I had a long conversation this week via phone lines from Japan. The last I heard from him he was in Osaka working his way back home to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Check out East West to see what we are writing about. You’ll get an earful.
While your at it, click on “At Issue” ,”Under the Agridome” and the Podcasts. I’ve got many comments lately. Believe me, there is more news to come. Wheat harvest lays ahead of me next week.
