Detroit Pistons’ greatest gifts of all-time

7. Ben Wallace

Ben Wallace, known affectionately around the league as “Big Ben”, may be one of the most popular Piston players of all time. The man from Virginia Union University (in Mason’s voice) was known as a stout defender and intimidating presence coming into the league, and he more than proved that in his time with the Pistons.

Before the 2000-01 seasons, the Pistons acquired Wallace and Chucky Atkins from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Grant Hill in a sign-and-trade. This trade was considered one sided from the beginning, with the Magic getting a dynamic young star who could shoot and display explosiveness whenever he wanted, and the Pistons getting role players in return.

With Hill’s promising young career derailed by injuries, this trade became a steal for the Pistons, who benefited from it more than they had originally imagined.

Wallace, the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, was the heart and soul of the “Going to Work” Pistons, who would win the NBA Finals in 2004. Known as one of the best defensive players to ever play the game, Wallace anchored a team that relied on their defense to get them to the title and set the tone for a whole era of Detroit basketball.

Big Ben averaged 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a game in his nine-year Piston tenure, including the 2001-02 season in which he averaged 13 rebounds and an astounding 3.5 blocks per game.

Wallace embodied the city and the city embraced him, making Big Ben one of the greatest deals ever for the Pistons.