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Remembering the Detroit Pistons icon that was Ben Wallace

By Travis Gibbs

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JANUARY 16: Former Detroit Pistons player Ben Wallace is honored during halftime of the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Golden State Warriors on January 16, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JANUARY 16: Former Detroit Pistons player Ben Wallace is honored during halftime of the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Golden State Warriors on January 16, 2016 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Ben Wallace will forever be remembered by Pistons fans from all over. His hustle, emotion, and determination on the court set him above the rest.

Wallace was an essential piece to the success of the Detroit Pistons for many years. He helped bring an NBA title to the Palace of Auburn Hills.

He will go down as one of the best defensive players in NBA history.

The Detroit Free Press released an article today saying that Wallace was back in Michigan reminiscing on what was a great run in Detroit with the group of players that prided themselves on the, “goin’ to work” mentality .

Let’s take a look back at some of the great memories from Wallace’s career.

Ben Wallace vs. Shaquille O’Neal

This is one of my all-time favorite Ben Wallace moments. He was asked to defend Shaquille O’Neal in the 2004 NBA finals.

O’Neal was the type of player you didn’t just shut down at this point in his career. He could only be contained.

O’Neal got his points in the first half. Then as the game progressed, Wallace started to frustrate him and it was obvious. It folded the Lakers and their entire game plan on that night.

He got the better of O’Neal on this night and it proved to be the tipping point in the series. The Pistons took a 2-1 series lead and never looked back on their way to an NBA title.

Big Ben = Mr. Clutch

Here’s another one of Wallace’s signature moments. The Pistons hosted the New Jersey Nets for game seven in the eastern conference playoffs.

Which Piston player decides to have one of the best games of his career? Ben Wallace does.

He’s knocking down jumpers, pulling down rebounds, and hustling back in transition for put-back dunks. His impact on the court was felt in this game and it truly showed how much of an impact he had on his team.

Ben’s coming out party in the playoffs

How about Big Ben’s first ever playoff game? He scored 19 points and had 20 rebounds. No big deal.

Wallace wasn’t known for his ability to score at all. In fact, it was the complete opposite. In this game he put the moves on display.

He was using the euro-step and making Vince Carter shake his head from the Toronto bench.

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