Sorry, still not sold — even with Ben Wallace in Chicago and out of Detroit. My money, at least when it comes to the playoffs, remains on the Pistons.

Detroit returns All-Stars Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups, and Tayshaun Prince could add that designation.

If Rasheed Wallace accepts he has to play more at center, he could do plenty to offset the loss of his namesake. Rasheed has shied from the physical, in-the-paint role since his peak years with the Blazers, but when the Pistons' best possible lineup (not necessarily the one they would start games with) is compared with the Bulls', why is it that Chicago is suddenly so universally viewed as the better team?

Go ahead, score at home: Rasheed vs. Ben? Antonio McDyess vs. Andres Nocioni? Prince vs. Luol Deng? Hamilton vs. Kirk Hinrich? Billups vs. Ben Gordon or Chris Duhon?

This judge's card: 4-1 Pistons, with Nocioni getting a slight nod over McDyess at power forward.

Yes, the Bulls have superior depth and the promise of newcomers Tyrus Thomas and Thabo Sefolosha. But in a playoff situation, depth tends to be mitigated and youth almost always takes a back seat.

Could Chicago win more regular-season games than Detroit? Certainly. Then again, so what? Last season, Detroit was 12 games better than the Heat.

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Ultimately, Chicago remains an all-or-nothing perimeter proposition that plays off feeds from a well-crafted drive-and-kick game. The Wallace who could have benefited the Bulls the most is Rasheed, with his varied offensive repertoire and defensive length.

No one doubts the energy, commitment and leadership delivered by Ben Wallace. But the reality is his rebounding average has declined the past three years and his blocked shots average has gone down the past four.

The game also is changing. David Stern's push to have defense abolished likely will gain momentum. This certainly is not a time to be playing four on five. (Ben Wallace never has averaged more than 9.7 points and has a career 6.6 scoring average.)

With the $60 million spent on Wallace in a four-year commitment that takes the center up to his 36th birthday, the Bulls essentially purchased hope. Considering where the franchise has been since the Jordan era ended, that is a priceless commodity.

But the ultimate challenge for Chicago has not changed.

The growth into a legitimate contender must come from the youthful perimeter players VP John Paxson has collected.

In that respect, Ben Wallace stands as a bridge to the future, a conduit to greater success.

But he hardly is an immediate trigger to a title.