Peak Only: Ben Wallace vs Joakim Noah

[AStark1991]

Team success aside, who do you think was the better overall player when they were both at their respective peaks?

[XTC]

03/04 Ben Wallace is the better defender, but 13/14 Noah was no slouch on that end either, while being a vastly superior offensive player.

Noah had a short peak, but at his best he was the ultimate glue center IMO. He could anchor your defense, and he was a passing hub on offense. People forget that at his peak in 13/14 he was #4 in MVP voting, a DPOY, 1st team defense, 1st team All NBA, while leading the Bulls to near 50 wins as the best player on the team. He had a short peak, so I think people forget just how good he was.

I love Ben Wallace as well, but his lack of offense sways it in Noah's favor in my opinion.

[penbeast0]

Wallace was the more impactful. If you are looking for someone for today's game though, peak Noah is probably your guy as scheming to isolate a single weak player on both sides of the ball is more prevalent.

[AStark1991]

03/04 Ben Wallace is the better defender, but 13/14 Noah was no slouch on that end either, while being a vastly superior offensive player.

Noah had a short peak, but at his best he was the ultimate glue center IMO. He could anchor your defense, and he was a passing hub on offense. People forget that at his peak in 13/14 he was #4 in MVP voting, a DPOY, 1st team defense, 1st team All NBA, while leading the Bulls to near 50 wins as the best player on the team. He had a short peak, so I think people forget just how good he was.

I love Ben Wallace as well, but his lack of offense sways it in Noah's favor in my opinion.

Agreed on all accounts. Noah was the more complete player. I've always held the opinion that peak Noah with Giannis level athleticism is basically what Bill Russell would look like in the modern NBA.