When I was eleven, my favorite team was led by Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith.  And every Friday night the A-Team overcame all obstacles due to his guidance, foresight, and ability to carry out a plan.

Now that I'm a little older, my favorite team is led by John Paxson.  Though he does not smoke cigars or lead a foursome of mercenaries, he does have a great deal in common with Hannibal.  The most noticeable of these similarities is how both seem to "love it when a plan comes together." 

Several news outlets reported Monday afternoon that the Chicago Bulls received a verbal commitment from free agent center Ben Wallace.  The signing is a culmination of an extraordinary process, one that began two and a half seasons ago when Paxson took over the Bulls. 

Since then, he has reshaped both the roster and the culture of the organization.  What started as a mismatched group of unmotivated prospects and unproductive veterans has been reformed into the current fiery and no-nonsense edition.  Paxson accomplished this as the Bulls made the playoffs the last two years, a feat that most NBA GM's claim is impossible during a rebuilding mode.

Enter Wallace, a four time all-star, as well as the reigning defensive player of the year.  He is the basketball equivalent of Mr. T: a powerful combination of fury, muscle, and bad acting.  Wallace's impact on a game in undeniable; in this past season he ranked among the top ten league leaders in rebounds per game, blocks per game, offensive rebounds per game, defensive rebounds per game, steals, steals per turnover, defensive rebounds per 48 minutes, steals per 48 minutes, steals per game, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, total rebounds, blocks, offensive rebounds per 48 minutes, blocks per 48 minutes, and inches added to height due to hair.

But Wallace brings something even more significant to Chicago than statistics.  He brings lofty expectations, a championship aura, and the relentless intensity the organization has lacked since Michael Jordan and Coach Phil Jackson were pushed out of town by management in the late 90's. 

Though Wallace is by no means a skilled offensive player, current coach Scott Skiles is renowned in league circles as a guy who can maximize the strengths of his players while hiding many of their weaknesses.  This was a shortcoming of Pistons coach Flip Saunders, whose inability to find a prominent role for the game's ultimate role player is said to be the main reason Wallace chose to leave Detroit for comparable money in Chicago.

While the Bulls still lacks a premiere inside scoring presence, the frontcourt will feature three guys in Wallace, Andres Noccioni, and rookie Tyrus Thomas who at the very least are a threat to score in double figures each night off of put backs, dunks, and lobs.  Several news outlets are also reporting that the Bulls are close to trading Tyson Chandler to the Hornets for power forward PJ Brown.  Though unsubstantiated at this point, the move would give the Bulls another rugged veteran, as well as a player in Brown who has a good jump shot and serviceable post moves.   

The identity of the 06-07 Bulls however, is likely to be on the defensive side of the ball.  Chicago ranked number one in defensive field goal percentage allowed the last two years, meaning that opponents – at least statistically – had a tougher time scoring against the Bulls than any other team in the league.  With the addition of Wallace (and potentially Brown) expect the Bulls to be even tougher to score against.

While the Wallace signing upgrades the team's main strength, critics anticipate that still it fails to improve the Bull's most glaring need which was/is inside scoring.  However Paxson is unlikely finished dealing, and is likely to add a few more players, even in addition to the aforementioned Brown-Chandler swap.   

For now though, most Bulls fans are too ecstatic from the Wallace signing to speculate about future moves.  And they "pity the fool[s]" that infringes on their enjoyment of this unexpected transaction.

Scott Larson is married and lives in Madison, Wisconsin.  Originally from Chicago, Scott borrows from his dual sports residency and follows the Bears, Badgers, Bulls, and Bucks.

He can be reached at scott.larson@atomicsportsmedia.com.