"Ben Wallace was the last to leave the practice floor Sunday.

He was working on his offensive game, jump shots and post moves, but everyone knows the 36-year-old center/power forward makes his money on defense.

To make sure he's fresh, the coaching staff and Arnie Kander, the team's strength and conditioning coach, is monitoring his minutes and practice time.

"He's participating in some of the drills, some of them he hasn't," coach John Kuester said. "Today he was pretty much active the entire time. It was a very spirited practice. If he feels like his body is struggling he'll tell me, but he's such a competitor. Arnie and Ben have talked to each other. Today he dove for a loose ball. ...He tries to lead by example."

If the Pistons are to improve on a 27-win season, Wallace will be in the middle of it as a veteran presence to rookie Greg Monroe.

"I'm just trying to do everything I can do," Wallace said. "The coaches and trainers, Arnie, are ...paying attention to me and allowing me to do what I can do."