Detroit Pistons All-Time list: Third-Team
Center: Ben Wallace
Career average: 5.7 points, 1.3 assists, 9.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 2.0 blocks (nine seasons with Pistons)
Was there ever a better blend of the old school Bad Boys and the new school Pistons than Ben Wallace?
He was Dennis Rodman 2.0 a scrappy, undersized post player who could guard anybody you put him on as evident by his four defensive player of the year awards which ties for most in NBA history with Dikembe Mutombo.
Like Hamilton and Prince, Big Ben left the Pistons on questionable terms. He signed with the Chicago Bulls who offered him more money, but some think his relationship with Flip Saunders had something to do with him leaving. Wallace said it was about the money and it probably was. It’s just a hard pill to swallow for Pistons fans who had to watch one of their most beloved players go to the division rival Bulls.
Wallace’s departure was the first major domino to fall for the 2004 champs. Between 2006-2011 the Pistons would go on to lose the rest of their stars. Chauncey Billups would be traded to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson, Rasheed Walllace would sign with the Boston Celtics, and Hamilton would sign with the Bulls.
Next: Just have Isiah, Magic, and Bing backup Pistons' Jackson