ImageImageImage

Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class

Moderators: dVs33, Cowology, theBigLip, Snakebites

bstein14
RealGM
Posts: 32,718
And1: 9,552
Joined: Jun 22, 2001

Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#1 » by bstein14 » Sat May 15, 2021 3:31 pm

Well deserved!
Sort
Bench Warmer
Posts: 1,251
And1: 509
Joined: Jan 10, 2010

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#2 » by Sort » Sat May 15, 2021 3:38 pm

Just saw this myself - so happy for him. He was by far my favorite basketball player of all time. Absolutely amazing story of his grit and determination. Watching him completely dominate a game through his will alone - we all know he could barely play offense - was just breathtaking.
User avatar
Snakebites
Forum Mod - Pistons
Forum Mod - Pistons
Posts: 50,888
And1: 18,040
Joined: Jul 14, 2002
Location: Looking not-so-happily deranged
   

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#3 » by Snakebites » Sat May 15, 2021 5:20 pm

Well deserved.

There's a whole other conversation to be had about whether or not the Hall is too easy to get into, but by the standards set fourth by previous players who have gotten in, Big Ben is a no brainer. I can't wait.
User avatar
The Moose
General Manager
Posts: 9,291
And1: 5,259
Joined: Apr 18, 2012
Location: Australia
 

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#4 » by The Moose » Sat May 15, 2021 5:23 pm

Very well deserved

It’s a great sign of respect for the defensive side of the game
Image
User avatar
The Moose
General Manager
Posts: 9,291
And1: 5,259
Joined: Apr 18, 2012
Location: Australia
 

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#5 » by The Moose » Sat May 15, 2021 5:35 pm

I’ll just add as a little kid growing up in Australia , Big Ben was the biggest reason why I even began to follow the Pistons.
There was something unique about him, from his signature afro to the passion he played with every night
Image
tmorgan
RealGM
Posts: 14,259
And1: 9,744
Joined: Feb 04, 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
   

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#6 » by tmorgan » Sat May 15, 2021 7:25 pm

This is awesome.
User avatar
vege
RealGM
Posts: 20,824
And1: 4,800
Joined: Jul 18, 2008

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#7 » by vege » Sat May 15, 2021 8:04 pm

One of my favorite players ever. It's more than deserved.
chrbal
RealGM
Posts: 21,546
And1: 1,993
Joined: Mar 02, 2001
Contact:

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#8 » by chrbal » Sat May 15, 2021 8:47 pm

Absolutely well deserved. Curious if any other undrafted players are?
hoophabit
Analyst
Posts: 3,697
And1: 1,420
Joined: Jan 19, 2002
 

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#9 » by hoophabit » Sat May 15, 2021 10:14 pm

Well deserved! A truly great rebounder and defender.
DNice68
Rookie
Posts: 1,143
And1: 388
Joined: Aug 22, 2012

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#10 » by DNice68 » Sat May 15, 2021 10:30 pm

Big Ben was the best surprise the Pistons ever got in a trade. Who would have thought an undrafted player would become such a dominant defender. He did it as a 6’9 center nonetheless. Hugely well deserved honor for Big Ben!
User avatar
Manocad
RealGM
Posts: 69,969
And1: 10,562
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Location: Middle Fingerton
Contact:
       

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#11 » by Manocad » Sun May 16, 2021 12:41 pm

DNice68 wrote:Big Ben was the best surprise the Pistons ever got in a trade. Who would have thought an undrafted player would become such a dominant defender. He did it as a 6’9 center nonetheless. Hugely well deserved honor for Big Ben!

Actually from that perspective Pistons fans should be the least surprised given Dennis Rodman. :)

It's nice to see the HOF recognize pure defense rather than first and foremost PPG and either RPG or APG. Big Ben was one of the all time great lockdown defenders regardless of being undersized. It's not often you find players who defend at a level where you could pencil in his opponent's points scored at 60% of their average, take the under and be right 9 times out of 10. He was one of only a few guys who could make Shaq look human.
Image
thesack12
RealGM
Posts: 20,328
And1: 2,639
Joined: Jun 06, 2008
Location: N DA NAP
     

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#12 » by thesack12 » Sun May 16, 2021 1:51 pm

Well deserved Mr Wallace, congrats.

The only guy I've ever seen that could absolutely dominate games, without ever really touching the ball on offense (other than an offensive rebound.)

I grew up a massive NBA fan, but never latched onto a particular team until my early adult years. Ben was one of the main reasons, I gravitated to becoming a Pistons fan. So thanks for that also, Ben.
Cowology
Forum Mod - Pistons
Forum Mod - Pistons
Posts: 41,164
And1: 4,631
Joined: Sep 05, 2004

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#13 » by Cowology » Sun May 16, 2021 4:11 pm

DNice68 wrote:Big Ben was the best surprise the Pistons ever got in a trade. Who would have thought an undrafted player would become such a dominant defender. He did it as a 6’9 center nonetheless. Hugely well deserved honor for Big Ben!
6'9" is being generous. He was shorter than Tay and just a hair taller than Rip without the fro.

But yeah, super happy for him. Well deserved.

Image
Image
User avatar
Manocad
RealGM
Posts: 69,969
And1: 10,562
Joined: Dec 13, 2005
Location: Middle Fingerton
Contact:
       

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#14 » by Manocad » Sun May 16, 2021 6:25 pm

Yeah, going by the picture Ben would have been 6'8". Rip was listed as 6'7", Tay at 6'9" and Sheed at 6'11".
Image
Invictus88
Assistant Coach
Posts: 3,931
And1: 2,215
Joined: Jun 25, 2013

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#15 » by Invictus88 » Sun May 16, 2021 6:42 pm

Hearing this made me think and remember just how truly disruptive he was on the defensive end for us. It's hard to think of any players nowadays who have such an impact on the game without needing to touch the ball on offense.

I remember him in large part holding his own against Shaq; especially in games 3 and 5. Pretty amazing despite giving up 6 inches and over 100 lbs...
bstein14
RealGM
Posts: 32,718
And1: 9,552
Joined: Jun 22, 2001

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#16 » by bstein14 » Sun May 16, 2021 11:34 pm

Will Ben have Joe D introduce him? Seems like the logical choice but I know some of the "Going to Work" Pistons seemingly had some beef with Joe D, especially when the Billups for Iverson trade went down. Haven't really seen or heard much from Joe the past few years.
DNice68
Rookie
Posts: 1,143
And1: 388
Joined: Aug 22, 2012

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#17 » by DNice68 » Sun May 16, 2021 11:46 pm

bstein14 wrote:Will Ben have Joe D introduce him? Seems like the logical choice but I know some of the "Going to Work" Pistons seemingly had some beef with Joe D, especially when the Billups for Iverson trade went down. Haven't really seen or heard much from Joe the past few years.

Joe has had nothing to do with anything Pistons for years. I would be surprised if Ben picked him, and he accepted!
User avatar
Uncle Mxy
General Manager
Posts: 9,511
And1: 2,249
Joined: Jul 14, 2004
Location: I plead the Fifth Dimension

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#18 » by Uncle Mxy » Mon May 17, 2021 11:26 am

I'd expect Larry Brown to introduce Big Ben.
Billl
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,210
And1: 3,346
Joined: Sep 06, 2013

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#19 » by Billl » Mon May 17, 2021 12:54 pm

Guy was so good on defense, the league had to change the rules so teams could score again.
FloridaMan78
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,889
And1: 604
Joined: Mar 24, 2021
 

Re: Ben Wallace inducted into 2021 NBA Hall of Fame Class 

Post#20 » by FloridaMan78 » Mon May 17, 2021 3:05 pm

I remember being totally devastated when Grant Hill left. Those teal teams after we’re hard to watch with Stack, couldn’t stand watching him dribble off his foot. But man when Big Ben checked in I was amazed. I was a big Rodman fan during the Bad Boys area, Ben was a throw back to me with all them Rs going up. Then he just took it to another level intimidating everyone coming into the lane ready to embarrass anyone that entered. Will always be thankful for Ben bringing back that toughness to Detroit.

Return to Detroit Pistons