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NBA: Ben Wallace Should Be Inducted Into The Hall Of Fame
Class of 2017 finalist Ben Wallace deserves to be in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Here are the reasons why.
The nominees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2017 have been revealed. There are a number of incredible players on the ballot, but as is always the case, only a select few players will make the cut.
Though there are a number of deserving legends in this year’s class of nominees, the candidate to watch is Ben Wallace.
Wallace lacks the offensive game to be the shoo-in that many who have come before him scored their way to being. Defensive-minded players are often penalized for an absence of ideal offensive production, which makes Wallace’s case one with inevitable opposition.
As the worst free throw shooter in NBA history and a full-time starter with just 6,254 points in 1,088 games, it’s fair to criticize his offense.
True as that may be, Wallace firmly established himself as one of the greatest defensive players of all-time. Thus, for as little emphasis is placed on defense—also known as what wins championships—it’s impossible to ignore Wallace’s resume, impact, or legacy.
Whether or not there’s opposition, Wallace has done more than enough to have earned his place in the Hall of Fame.
The Narrative
Wallace is one of the most improbable success stories in NBA history. He spent two years playing at the junior college level after he was overlooked in recruiting, and played his final two years of college ball with the Virginia Union Panthers.
Wallace’s opportunity to transfer and play at Virginia Union was heavily influenced by mentor and fellow Panthers alum Charles Oakley.
From there, Wallace would go undrafted in the legendary 1996 NBA Draft. He managed to make the main roster with the Washington Wizards, but struggled to find playing time during his first two NBA seasons.
It wasn’t until Wallace’s fifth NBA season that he averaged upwards of 30 minutes per game, with his previous averages being 5.8, 16.8, 26.8, and 24.2.
For as long of a road as Wallace traveled, he maximized every ounce of potential that he had in his being. Unlike those who have been blessed with the patience of an organization, Wallace had to find his niche and work relentlessly to simply hold onto a roster spot.
The end result was a 16-year career that proved to be a tale of perseverance and a lesson to be taught to undrafted players around the NBA.
The Impact
Following his stints with the Wizards and Orlando Magic, Wallace was included with Chucky Atkins in a sign-and-trade to the Detroit Pistons for Grant Hill. It was in Detroit where Wallace would accumulate a Hall of Fame resume and legendary status.
Before acknowledging the resume that solidifies his place in basketball lore, it’s just as important to respect his impact on the game.
During his second season in Detroit, Wallace won Defensive Player of the Year and led an 18-win turnaround. After the Pistons went 32-50 in 2000-01, it won 50 games in 2001-02, with Wallace leading the team in minutes, rebounds, blocks, and steals per game.
Though there were other gifted players on the roster, those around the situation point directly to Wallace when discussing how the turnaround was achieved.
To date, Wallace is the only undrafted rookie in NBA history to go onto being voted an All-Star. He set franchise records, anchored the most dominant defense since the turn of the century, and proved that height and where a player is drafted are irrelevant.
Most impressively, Wallace did this as an undersized 6’9″ center who proved that no mountain was too high for him to climb.
The Resume
Ben Wallace finished his career as an NBA champion and four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was a five-time All-NBA honoree, including three All-NBA Second Team nods, as well as a four-time All-Star and six-time All-Defensive Team selection.
For perspective, 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Dikembe Mutombo had fewer All-NBA and All-Defensive First Team selections than Wallace.
Wallace’s four Defensive Player of the Year awards tie Mutombo for the most by any player in NBA history. In 2001-02, he became the fourth of five players in NBA history to lead the Association in both rebounds and blocks per game.
The only other players who have achieved that feat are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dwight Howard, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Bill Walton—three of whom are retired and in the Hall of Fame.
Most importantly, Wallace helped the Detroit Pistons win the NBA championship in 2004 and reach the NBA Finals in 2005. The Pistons made four Eastern Conference Finals appearances with Wallace serving as the anchor of an all-time defensive unit.
Wallace not only excelled as an individual, but made his mark on the teams he played for by elevating the players around him.
Ben Wallace may not have done it in the prettiest of ways, but in an era of glamour and an unfounded infatuation with hero ball, he put the team first.
The end result was one of the greatest resumes in NBA history and what should be an induction into the Hall of Fame.
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