by Brian Hanley, The Chicago Sun-Times , Chicago Sun Times

''But that's exactly how I wanted it to be,'' guard Ben Gordon said of negotiations Wednesday with Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars. ''Especially after the stagnant pace of [contract talks with the Bulls ] the last two summers.''

So after a tour of the Pistons' practice facility in Auburn Hills, Mich., Gordon got down to hammering out a five-year contract.

The deal is worth only $5 million more than the five-year contract extension Gordon turned down from the Bulls in 2007. Last summer, Gordon initially declined a six-year, $54 million offer, which the Bulls pulled when Gordon was ready to take it at the preseason deadline.

But Gordon said Dumars' vision was worth more than the money.

''There was no mistake what his intentions and goals are,'' Gordon said. ''I could see how passionate he is about winning championships. There's no doubt we're on the same page, and I'm really happy about that.''

Gordon said he is not unhappy with the Bulls , the team that selected him third overall in the 2004 draft and that he led in scoring the last four seasons.

''I'm not bitter at all,'' Gordon said. ''The contract negotiations the last two years were a good experience. It made me a better business person and player. I will definitely have a chip on my shoulder every time I step on the floor, believing I have something to prove regardless how much money I'm making.

''But I had a great time here. I'm happy with my legacy, knowing I did everything I could have done to prepare to be the best every night and each offseason. Now I have a chance to continue my legacy in Detroit and make it better.''

Gordon's one regret?

''We never reached our potential,'' he said.

Was Gordon upset that Kirk Hinrich and Luol Deng agreed to long-term contracts while his negotiations went nowhere?

''I loved my teammates,'' he said. ''We were always in it together and a close-knit team. It was never about who got paid and who didn't.''

Gordon accepted but never embraced his role as a super sub, a label quickly affixed after he became the only rookie to win the league's sixth-man award for his red-hot scoring ability.

Did Dumars promise him a starter's role with the Pistons, who also have Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton in the backcourt?

''I'm not worried who's going to have the most minutes or who's coming off the bench,'' Gordon said. ''I'm just focused on winning.''

Now Gordon has to find a house in the Detroit area. Turns out Ben Wallace is still trying to sell the house he left when he went from the Pistons to the Bulls .

''I'll probably take a look [at it],'' Gordon said.

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