The Pistons, in turn, wanted to keep their leader and reportedly offered "Big Ben" a four-year, $49.6 million deal. While it ...

However, four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner Ben Wallace, who was the defensive anchor on that '04 title team, refused to compare this year's group to any version of the Pistons.

but former Piston Ben Wallace tells TMZ ... team and rally behind the team," Wallace said. "I think for the first time that the city is really excited about Pistons basketball again.