Ben Gordon on ESPN First Take Recap

July 5th, 2009 by Andrew Wamboldt

Ben Gordon appeared on ESPN First Take to discuss him signing with the Pistons. Here is a recap of what he said in the interview.

The Bulls didn’t pursue him much once free agency started. Once free agency started, Detroit showed him the most interest.
Him and Charlie Villanueva visited together, and right form the jump, they realized that Detroit was the place to be.
It is accurate that the Bulls never made an offer.
He is not sure why the Bulls never made an offer. It is what it is. He’s moving on and happy with his decision.
He wasn’t surprised that Chicago didn’t make an offer,after how things went the last two summers. His whole goal this offseason was to get things wrapped up and move on from this issue. It just so happened that the team he was most excited about palying for also pursued him the hardest.
He would probably choose Detroit over Chicago, even if the Bulls had made an offer.
His decision was about winning, not about money. It was about trying to put himself in a position to win a ring. Just watching Joe Dumars over the years and how he assembled teams, Ben thinks he is one of the best, if not the best, at putting together a team full of guys who can really play. Trying to compete for a championship is definitely one of his priorities.
It was fun having Charlie there. It reminded him of when Charlie came for his recruiting trip to UConn. Kind of like the same thing all over again. He has known Charlie since they were 12 and 13, playing basketball in Detroit.
He is not going to ask Joe Dumars to let him wear #4, which is retired for Dumars. He is going to stick with #7 in Detroit. It’s a coincidence that his old number is retired wherever he goes.