Is Bob Lanier the greatest center in Detroit Pistons history?
Is Ben Wallace the greatest Pistons center over Bob Lanier?
As all Pistons know, the last time the Detroit Pistons had the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft was 1970, when they selected Lanier. That streak ended after 51 years when the Pistons got the No. 1 last year, with Wallace being the official team representative.
When asked he had brought a good luck charm to the lottery, Wallace replied: “I am the lucky charm.”
A beloved figure in Detroit, Wallace become the first undrafted player to make the Naismith Hall of Fame this year.
Wallace was only 6-foot-9 but he was a two-time rebounding champion and four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He simply used grit and desire to become the center for the 2004 NBA champions and a squad that made at least the Eastern finals five years in a row.
light. Related Story. Detroit Pistons: Ben Wallace making HOF culminates underdog story
So he could play defense, rebound and block shots better than pretty much any center in the NBA during the 2000s. He is also now an official Hall of Famer, so he has a pretty good case for being called the best Pistons center ever.
However, the one thing he could not do is score. In nine seasons with the Pistons, Wallace averaged just 6.6 points a game. Wallace expended so much energy on offense, he did not have much left to score.
Comparing Wallace and Lanier
Although Wallace was a fantastic rebounder, Lanier actually had a slightly higher career number (11.8 boards to 11.1 for Wallace). Of course, Lanier with a 22.7 points average in Detroit, was a way better offensive player.
And, remember, Lanier was playing at a time with less teams and more emphasis on big guys. He was being guarded by the likes of Abdul-Jabbar, Artis Gilmore, Willis Reed, Dave Cowens and Wes Unseld, all Hall of Famers, on a regular basis in the smaller NBA.
No negativity on Wallace, but Lanier’s scoring prowess combined with rebounding ability puts him over the top.
Edge: Lanier over Wallace
Overall Detroit Pistons center evaluation
The Pistons have had other good centers: RIck Mahorn, Rasheed Wallace saw time there in the ‘Goin to Wok’ time, Greg Monroe and, yes, Andre Drummond.
But Wallace, Laimbeer and Lanier stand above the rest.
However, Lanier has a higher scoring and rebounding average than either. He was an eight time All-Star and put into the Hall of Fame fairly quickly.
RIP Bob Lanier, you are still the greatest center in Detroit Pistons history.