The Detroit Pistons announced today that they have assigned guard Will Blalock and reassigned forward Amir Johnson to their NBA Development League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

Ben Wallace returns Sunday to the Palace of Auburn Hills for the first time since leaving the Pistons after six seasons and one NBA championship to sign a four-year, $60 million free-agent contract with the Bulls.

He has faced his former teammates, whom he calls brothers, during a Bulls blowout victory at the United Center in early January. The laughs and hugs shared on that day can't prepare Wallace for what promises to be an emotional day.

"It's going to be crazy," Wallace says. "Every night I stepped on that court, I swore to protect it. Now I have to go in there and try to tear it down. It's not going to be easy. It's going to be emotional.

"I don't know if fans are going to cheer or boo or throw popcorn or throw ice. I know the fans appreciate the things I did. And I appreciate the things they did for me. But I'm the enemy now, so it might be a love-hate relationship. I know this: It's going to be exciting."

According to Mike Monroe of the San Antonio Express-News, no team that the Pistons contacted about Flip Murray was interested in making a deal for the guard.

A source tells Charley Walters that former Celtics and 76ers coach Jim O'Brien would be the front-runner for the Pistons job if Flip Saunders were to leave to coach his alma mater Gophers.

Speculation has been rampant for several weeks now that Saunders might bolt Detroit to coach the University of Minnesota.

Stu Jackson has rescinded a technical foul called on Rasheed Wallace during Saturday night's game against Toronto. His technical foul count remains at 14, two shy of earning him a one-game suspension.

"The way the rule states, players are allowed some emotional outburst, a quick response," said coach Flip Saunders. "As long as they don't carry on."

The only person charged with a felony in the November 2004 brawl during a Pacers-Pistons game at The Palace of Auburn Hills will spend the next six months in jail after a judge determined he violated his probation.

Bryant Jackson was found guilty of a probation violation by Oakland County Judge Rae Lee Chabot on Wednesday because he did not attend anger management classes or pay $6,000 in restitution.

Jackson turned himself in last week after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. He was ordered jailed after he skipped court appearances for a probation violation hearing, but he posted bond Feb. 1.

On Wednesday, Isiah Thomas declined to name the seven reserves he picked except to say, "I voted for all the Pistons. The Pistons I voted for. Because they are good and I like them. Whenever there is a Piston that has a chance he's got my vote. I'm biased."

Thomas has said good things about the Pistons all season long.

Some have theorized that he is keeping his options open in case Flip Saunders does not return as Pistons coach.