Detroit Bad Boys - Ben Wallace jersey retirement: Remembering Ben WallaceA community of Detroit Pistons fans since 2005https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48119/detroitbadboys-fave.png2016-01-18T10:10:06-05:00http://www.detroitbadboys.com/rss/stream/105430832016-01-18T10:10:06-05:002016-01-18T10:10:06-05:00Links: Wrapping up Big Ben Wallace's special night
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<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's get to some thoughts and links on Big Ben's special night and the win over the Warriors.</p> <p>Firstly, <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10779042/ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-remembering-ben-wallace" target="_blank">the Ben Wallace jersey retirement ceremony</a> Saturday night was as great as we all thought it would be -- such a special Palace atmosphere, strong speeches from every speaker, even that old pal <span>Mehmet Okur</span> was able to make it out.</p>
<p>Just everything was on point.</p>
<p>I wasn't in attendance, but I was watching at home via a VPN led feed live during China's mid-morning. That VPN and feed came through without a hitch and allowed me to enjoy the moment with such smooth quality. Watching something on a computer screen was never so comfortable, never so worth it.</p>
<p>It's a small thing, sure, to watch a celebration of an athlete who played a game for a living. But, it's the qualities of the player and the qualities of the overall team, even franchise too, that make it so special, that make it potentially inspirational. To see your hometown team's legend, on his night, bask in all that glory with the people who mean the most to him and those who helped him along the journey in his career and the championship season, that's worth a ton.</p>
<p>Being a basketball fan is also a small thing. Us fans enjoy this game of basketball, whether we really like it, or, in fact, flat out love it. A lot of us grew up watching and trying to emulate these <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> on the hardwood in our own unique way. It's of small importance in life, watching basketball. It's a fun piece of life though, even if it's just turning on the TV in the evening after work to watch strangers play. After some time, if the strangers are doing it the right way and have success, these strangers don't seem like such strangers anymore. For many, they become role models, leaders, legends, heroes, or maybe just simply good dudes going to battle for your favorite team in the world's best basketball league.</p>
<p>Ben Wallace was a little bit of all of them.</p>
<p>If I was ever to run into Ben Wallace by chance in public, whether it's in a store, gas station, wherever or whenever, I'm not sure I would be able to say anything coherent right away. If Ben was still there listening after my probable initial stammering, I hope I could manage a simple 'you are the man, Mr. Wallace. I still have your bobble-head doll. Ummm, anyway, I loved the years when you were in Detroit. Great memories and I will always remember them. Sorry to bother you.'</p>
<p>Hope I can roll with that.</p>
<h4><b>Speeches</b></h4>
<p>Tom Gores said something in his speech that I found especially meaningful -- it was that Ben Wallace doesn't 'deserve' this, he's 'earned' this. That's a perfect summation.</p>
<p>And that Sheed speech, boy was that the definition of short and sweet AND from the bottom of his heart.</p>
<p>Larry Brown's words? Bingo.</p>
<p>Big Ben's own speech was excellent, despite Ben not being the most natural public speaker around. His comments on <span>Richard Hamilton</span> were hilarious and his <span>Tayshaun Prince</span> bit was classic. I loved what Ben said about Tayshaun, and loved how he said it -- the crowd and everyone absolutely loved it, too. I watched <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10781616/watch-ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-ceremony-video" target="_blank">the ceremony clips</a> a few more times after the fact. I think Tayshaun, if you look closely at him when Ben was talking, became a little emotional. Just a little liquid shine or quiver in Tayshaun's eyes. When Ben said 'big blocks, big stops, had to guard the best perimeter (player) on the floor night in and night out" -- that was moving. I started to feel something there.</p>
<h4><b>The Game</b></h4>
<p>As for the Pistons-<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> action on the hardwood, what else could have gone right?</p>
<p>The starters were efficient on both sides of the ball. Reggie and Andre played their game (that deep Andre hook over Green though), <span>Marcus Morris</span> hitting a few tough turn around jumpers, Ersan's swatting shots and making rainbows. Caldwell-Pope said screw it, I'm going to be disruptive on defense and be a factor on offense with some wet mid range shots.</p>
<p>Tolliver's pump fake and then the drive to the hole for a dunk. Baynes with his offensive flashes, showing he might have a teeny bit of Mikan in him. <span>Steve Blake</span> running the team and draining treys cold off the bench. Stanley Johnson's energy and timely shot making.</p>
<h4>All the Big Ben jersey retirement ceremony related goodness on DBB</h4>
<p>All three videos of the ceremony <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10781616/watch-ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-ceremony-video" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Ben Wallace Top Ten <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10778798/ben-wallace-top-ten-best-moments-of-big-ben">here</a>.</p>
<p>Big Ben links roundup, past and present <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10778878/ben-wallace-links-big-ben-ben-wallace" target="_blank" style="background-color: #ffffff;">here</a>.</p>
<p>mophatt1's Pistons-Warrior game recap <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/17/10781308/pistons-vs-warriors-ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-game-stephen-curry-kcp" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Or go to the Remember Ben Wallace stream to find it all <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10779042/ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-remembering-ben-wallace">here</a>.</p>
<h4><b><span>Kobe Bryant</span> says congrats to Big Ben (Fox Sports)</b></h4>
<p><iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fuMLopuaDxQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h4>
<span>Ben Wallace's</span> down-to-earth qualities shine through on big night -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/01/17/ben-wallaces-down--earth-qualities-shine-through-big-night/78927594/">Detroit News</a>
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<blockquote>
<p>Wallace said he got a couple calls about getting into coaching but he's not quite ready to make that step.</p>
<p>"I got quite a few calls, but for me, I'm still too close to the game," he said. "I don't want to get to the point where I'm out here trying to coach and teach a young guy something and keep putting myself in that position, ‘When I was playing, I used to do this and that.'</p>
<p>"That's not going to help me and not going to help him. I'm not far enough away from the game where I can be a fair and honest coach."</p>
</blockquote>
<h4>Explain One Play: Illegal Screen Calls Wipe Out Two Curry 3s -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2016/1/17/10781712/warriors-vs-pistons-video-analysis-highlights-stephen-curry-threes-illegal-screens">Golden State Of Mind</a>
</h4>
<p>As the author writes, 'This is a deep dive video analysis of plays from the Pistons-Warriors game.'</p>
<p>It certainly is, have a check.</p>
<h4>Data Dimes: <span>Draymond Green</span> deal stands out as off-season high point -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.si.com/nba/2016/01/14/data-dimes-nba-free-agency-signings-draymond-green-reggie-jackson">SI.com</a>
</h4>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Best Deals? </b></p>
<p><b><span>Reggie Jackson</span></b></p>
<p>Even those who were generous enough to give Jackson's hefty new contract the benefit of the doubt likely expected some regression. Instead, the Boston College product has become a top 10 point guard by PER.</p>
</blockquote>
<h4>
<span>Will Bynum</span> shines in CBA All-Star Game Sunday -- <a target="_blank" href="http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=316689">Shanghai Daily</a>
</h4>
<p>I love this part:</p>
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<p>Both teams shone in attacking the rim, the home audiences cheered for Yi Jianlian's alley-oops assisted by Will Bynum, his teammate in Guangdong. The six-feet-tall point guard also finished an alley-oop himself with the help of the floor. He had 19 points and 14 assists.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>BTW, <span>Michael Beasley</span> scored 63 points in the game.</p>
<p>~~</p>
<p>OK, the plan for Monday is to beat those <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a> again. See ya.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/18/10784698/big-ben-ceremony-ben-wallace-jersey-retirementPrava882016-01-18T09:15:51-05:002016-01-18T09:15:51-05:00A night with Ben Wallace & the Warriors at The Palace
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<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We said thank you to Ben Wallace and then beat the world champs. Why Satuday, January 16th was a special night for all Pistons fans.</p> <p>On my way to the game Saturday night, I knew it would be a special evening. I just didn't know how special it would be.</p>
<p>The fact that the it was <span>Ben Wallace's</span> retirement made it special enough. We could've been playing the Sixers and the retirement alone would have warranted a sell-out crowd. But the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Pistons</a> were playing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Golden State Warriors</a>. The reigning world champions. The greatest show on hardwood. Steph Curry and local Michigan native Draymond Green. And as I pulled into The Palace parking lot, almost an hour before tip-off, and saw it damn near full, I started to realize that the night was going to be bigger than I thought.</p>
<p>The minute I walked into the building, there was a buzz. There were hoards of vintage Ben Wallace jerseys on display, even a few good fake afros too. There were more Golden State fans than I had expected, forgetting that Steph Curry has cornered the market of 13U basketball fans. Bizarrely, I even saw crews of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> fans that I was tempted to call security on.</p>
<p>As I settled into my seat to watch warmups, I got more and more nervous. This was a true sell out. The stage in the upper bowl was gone because the seats were full. And I couldn't help but fear that the Pistons would get blown out of the gym on Ben Wallace night. It was a combination of Golden State being, well, Golden State, the champs, Draymond's homecoming, and their loss earlier this week. It felt like this was an opportunity for them to silence a fired-up Palace and remind everyone of their NBA dominance.</p>
<p>Then my eye caught the floor seats at center court, the Gores seats, and I saw Sheed. I shouted to my Dad "SHEED'S HERE! SHEED'S HERE!" like I had just seen Santa Clause. I am a 27-year-old adult male, let me remind you.</p>
<p>And then I saw Tayshaun, and Rip, and Billups. And oh my god the starters are all here for Ben. Oh my god, is that <span>Larry Brown</span> too? Wait, Memo Okur is here? And he looks like a Turkish mobster? <span>Mike James</span> and <span>Lindsey Hunter</span>? The best defensive backcourt combo in post-season history (irrational thought)?!?</p>
<p>I'm going to keep it 100 with you DBB, I got choked up.</p>
<p>From middle school through high school, these were my heroes. These were the players I imitated in my driveway, and the guys I built dynasties around in NBA2K. I watched them night in and night out as I grew up, and they were special. Nobody outside of Detroit dubbed them as superstars, but they were great and they were ours. And they loved playing here. And there they were, sitting next to each other laughing, joking around with one another back in the Palace. It was like running into an old best friend after decades away from each other and picking up where you left off. I had forgotten what watching those teams and seeing those guys felt like.</p>
<p>Right then I knew that there would be no blowout. Not in front of these guys. (And yes, I immediately then took Pistons +7 1/2.)</p>
<p>As the Pistons jumped out to an 18-8 lead, it was dreamlike. People were turning to each other in their rows with the same, "Is this really happening?" look. And Luke Walton waved his first white flag timeout.</p>
<p>The jumbotron cut to Ben Wallace, and the crowd went nuts. He smiled, waved politely, and then - as if he sensed the moment - he stood and waved to every section of the crowd. We all stood, and erupted with the biggest "Thank you" applause you can imagine. Ben was tearing up at the reaction, clearly overwhelmed by the love in the arena. And the game was different from that point on.</p>
<p>Sure, the Warriors came back and had a three-point lead at one point. But from watching the way the Pistons played after that ovation, you knew this game was going to be different. Every shot was aggressive. Every switch on defense was seamless. Every attempted block was like a nod to the man sitting courtside. The crowd fed into it with every bucket as the Pistons regained the lead and then some. The only way I can describe the evening as a whole is hysteria.</p>
<p>Every player showed up in their own way. Reggie with a masterful orchestration of the offense, finding his balance of feed vs. attack. <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> was in a scoring duel with Curry at one point and held his own. <span>Marcus Morris</span> and <span>Ersan Ilyasova</span> were beautifully patient within the offense and hit big shots when we needed them. Drummond secured yet another double-double with 14 pts and 21 boards, especially fitting given the night. Aron Baynes continues to win our hearts over these past couple weeks. <span>Stanley Johnson</span> continues to look like an emerging threat, and <span>Steve Blake</span> came up huge after Jennings exited the game with a jammed ankle.</p>
<p>I know I am supposed to break down the game in a more hyper-focused way. But I can't for last night. It would be like asking someone to describe a sunset. You would only sound silly trying to do so.</p>
<p>The crowd still knew that if any team could rally from 15-plus back in short time, it was the Warriors, so no one left early. It wasn't until Tolliver threw down a baseline tomahawk that people knew it was safe to run and try to beat the traffic. As we poured out into the parking lot, the elation was palpable. Numerous high fives, jumping hip bumps, and cheers were had. It was a feeling I hadn't seen at the Palace since those Ben Wallace days.</p>
<p>I'm sitting at my computer as I type this, some 17 hours later, still smiling ear-to-ear. Watching highlights as if to remind myself that it wasn't a hallucination. This was the best win of the Pistons' season, and no matter what happens this season, a night I'm sure all Pistons fans will not soon forget.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/18/10782720/a-night-with-ben-wallaceJamie_Delancey2016-01-16T22:44:34-05:002016-01-16T22:44:34-05:00Watch the Ben Wallace jersey retirement ceremony
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<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>All of the goosebumps here.</p> <p>If you missed the halftime ceremony of Ben Wallace's jersey No. 3 rising to the rafters at The Palace, you can watch it in full here: <br><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1PWoYpEFcFI" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/04IFMvVq5Lw" frameborder="0"></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GniQgW6CPrQ" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>Now your thoughts.</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10781616/watch-ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-ceremony-videoPackey2016-01-16T22:27:09-05:002016-01-16T22:27:09-05:00Pistons topple champs on Big Ben Night, 113-95
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<figcaption>Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Detroit brings it on Big Ben Wallace's night, knock down Golden State Warriors.</p> <p>Ben Wallace pulled off a lot of unlikely tasks. So it stands for reason that the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> did too on Saturday night, Ben Wallace jersey retirement night, when they beat the 37-3 <a href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Golden State Warriors</a>, dominating most of the night.</p>
<p>In the middle of a tough stretch for the schedule and after a pair of tough losses, the Pistons beat the returning league champs at the Palace on the night when they pulled Big <span>Ben Wallace's</span> jersey to the rafters.</p>
<p>Detroit used a 38-point third quarter to pull away, led behind tough play from Aron Banyes. Bangers finished the game without missing a bucket with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and a pair of blocks.</p>
<p>Detroit brought tough defense, holding Golden State to their worst field goal percentage of the year while also dominating them on the boards 57-47. As the Pistons commentary put it on a number of occasions, the Warriors weren't themselves. Fortunately, the Pistons made them pay.</p>
<p><span>Reggie Jackson</span> bounced back from a couple of poor games with a 20-point, 8-assist performance and <span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span> kept his hot streak up with 20 points. <span>Andre Drummond</span> also notched 14 points and 21 rebounds.</p>
<p>This piece of the schedule is absolutely brutal, so a tough win against one of the league's best after a gut-punch of a loss---well, it's a nice indicator that this team might be made of some of the same stuff that made Ben Wallace great.</p>
<p>Next up is the <a href="https://www.blogabull.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bulls</a> on Monday.</p>
<p>ROLL CALL:</p>
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<td><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/V.">V.</a></td>
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https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10781536/detroit-pistons-golden-state-warriors-ben-wallace-night-champsSteve Hinson2016-01-16T21:13:35-05:002016-01-16T21:13:35-05:00No. 3 goes up to the rafters
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/G7unvi0R8FoRSSTo2HOFnakD9b4=/0x112:2040x1472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48579571/GettyImages-93312049.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>What a ceremony! </p> <p>That was an incredible ceremony. No. 3 is officially in the rafters where it belongs.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It has been raised. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FearTheFro?src=hash">#FearTheFro</a> <a href="https://t.co/16gJFOB7FC">pic.twitter.com/16gJFOB7FC</a></p>
— NBA TV (@NBATV) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/688542715634515969">January 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10781356/ben-wallace-retirement-ceremony-no-3Packey2016-01-16T19:30:57-05:002016-01-16T19:30:57-05:00Pistons also wearing Ben Wallace warmup t-shirts
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yuXTlBS9ouM46BcE8wilvmcY9Oo=/43x0:4317x2849/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48579295/GettyImages-106915466.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In addition to socks, these t-shirts are sweet. </p> <p>In addition to <a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/15/10775484/pistons-to-wear-special-ben-wallace-stance-socks-for-his-jersey" target="_blank">the socks the Pistons will be wearing</a> during the game, the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pistons</a> are also honoring Ben Wallace by wearing these awesome t-shirts.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The guys wearing these special warmup shirts for Ben! Get yours at <a href="https://t.co/qqngaBZ19K">https://t.co/qqngaBZ19K</a> <a href="https://t.co/6WqE7rrl9A">pic.twitter.com/6WqE7rrl9A</a></p>
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) <a href="https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/688516784408907777">January 17, 2016</a>
</blockquote>
<p>Will you buy one?</p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10781060/pistons-also-wearing-ben-wallace-commemorative-warmupsPackey2016-01-16T18:30:02-05:002016-01-16T18:30:02-05:00The Ben Wallace jersey retirement GameThread
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/xqXYR9gGpXc4PKZCKSN7Q-gmh1Q=/0x761:2219x2240/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48579045/GettyImages-53003557.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ben Wallace gets his number in the rafters, allowing us a chance to remember our own championship days and the modern-day Pistons have a chance to prove their worth against last year's champs. It's going to be a great night, so let's talk about it in the comments below!</p> <table border="1" align="center" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">2015-2016 NBA Regular Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3482853/detroit-pistons-logo-225.jpg"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">vs.</th> <td width="240"> <p> </p> <figure class="e-image"> <figure class="e-image">
<img alt="Golden State Warriors" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/co0sePaUD0UC5JZz3RONIZBXcBA=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/3561367/golden-state-warriors-225.jpg">
</figure>
</figure><p> </p> <center></center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>21-18 (13-6 home)</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center>37-3 (18-3 away)</center></td> </tr> <tr><td bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><strong>January 16, 2015, 7:30 p.m. EST</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>The Palace</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>FSD, 105.1 FM</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><a data-ref-index="6" target="_blank" href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=4292&awinaffid=173843&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketsnow.com%2FTicketsNow%2Fdetroit-pistons-tickets%2F" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener">Pistons Tickets</a></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/" data-ref-index="7">Pistons</a> +7</td></tr> <tr><th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Probable Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Reggie Jackson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td width="240"> <span>Stephen Curry</span><span></span> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Klay Thompson</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Marcus Morris</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Brandon Rush</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Ersan Ilyasova</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Draymond Green</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Andre Drummond</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Festus Ezeli</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
<p><br>The only pre-game reading you need</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://detroit4lyfe.com">B-B-B-B-Ben Wallace!!!!!</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10779618/pistons-vs-warriors-preview">Game Preview</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10780780/pistons-vs-warriors-and-ben-wallace-jersey-retirement-gamethread-gamePackey2016-01-16T17:09:17-05:002016-01-16T17:09:17-05:00Ben Wallace was defense
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/obD4t2caYvgWXS5pZQLXoBsD8bE=/0x176:2048x1541/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48566781/GettyImages-1960848.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the eve of one of the best defenders of all time getting his jersey retired at The Palace, we look at Ben Wallace's four Defensive Player of the Year awards.</p> <p>In the NBA, we celebrate scoring. After all, if you have more points, you win. Perhaps defense will always be underappreciated, but if there is one organization and fan base that celebrates defense, it's the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a> and their fans. Tonight, we celebrate defense. <span>Ben Wallace</span> was defense.</p>
<p>In the 33 years since The Defensive Player of the Year award was first awarded in 1982-83, the award has gone to 20 different recipients. Twelve players have received it once. Five players have received it twice. <span>Dwight Howard</span> has received it three times. But only <span>Dikembe Mutombo</span> and Ben Camey Wallace have received it four times.</p>
<p>Most people, when they think about the award, think of rebounds and blocks. As such, the award often goes to big men, with an emphasis on big. Wallace might have played near the basket, but he was no one's idea of a prototypical big man. But what he lacked in height, he made up in effort and an unshakable will. Standing at 6-feet-9, Wallace was the eighth-shortest player to ever win the award. The award has gone to players 6-foot-10 or taller in 19 of the 33 years it's been given. Wallace owns four of the other 14 years.</p>
<p>But just how good was his defense? It was not only great, it was the best of his era.</p>
<p>You could even argue that he got "robbed" in 2003-04, when <span>Metta World Peace</span> (then Ron Artest) won the award. How? I have no clue. Looking at advanced stats, World Peace had a Defensive Win Share of 5.2. That's not bad. Last year the highest Defensive Win Share was 5.4 by DeAndre Jordan. However, in 2003-04, Wallace had a Defensive Win Share of 9.1. That is the highest Defensive Win Share for a single season since 1946-47 (as far back as Basketball-Reference.com will go).</p>
<p>Looking at the same year, World Peace had a Defensive Rating of 96, the lowest of his career. That isn't bad either. That would have tied him with Kawhi last year, the reigning DPOY winner. However, again, that does not compare to Wallace. Wallace had a Defensive Rating of 87 - the best in Basketball-Reference.com's database. But maybe they did not want to give the Defensive Player of the Year award to the same player for the third straight year (Dwight Howard was the first player to win the award three consecutive years).</p>
<p>Part of me wonders if that had ANYTHING to do with the Malice at the Palace the following November. Nah!</p>
<p>Now, the other four years he won the award he was the rightful choice. In 2001-02, he had the lowest Defensive Rating and highest Defensive Win Shares. The same in 2002-03. In 2005-06, his third year winning the award, he narrowly edged out <span>Tim Duncan</span> who had a better Defensive Rating than Wallace but a lower Defensive Win Share (Wallace was tops again). The same thing happened in 2005-06 as they were tied for Defensive Win Shares and Duncan bested Wallace in Defensive Rating by one point. But Wallace had more rebounds, more blocks, and doubled Duncan's steals (Wallace was tied for seventh in the league in steals).</p>
<p>As you may have heard, Wallace was miscast coming out of college as a small forward due to his height and frame. His offensive game was nothing to admire. Wallace knew that if he was going to stick in the NBA, it was going to be at the defensive end. Oh, and what a career that was.</p>
<p>Here's a wonderful video that the Detroit Pistons made of just how awesome he was on defense. Sit back and enjoy.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OrJNkYZ-ojM" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/1/16/10772044/ben-wallace-was-defenseJason Brunskowski