Detroit Pistons icon Ben Wallace won four Defensive Player of the Year awards when some of the greatest bigs were in their prime. As such, most analysts consider him one of the best big men stoppers in league history.
According to "Big Ben," four players gave him trouble defensively. He broke down these matchups and pointed out what made them elite offensive players.
Toughest duels for "Big Ben"
"The toughest back then … Shaq, because of his size, and Tim Duncan or (Kevin Garnett), because of their speed, size and skill. I'd probably have to go with Tim Duncan or KG," the Pistons legend said , per The Athletic.
Shaquille O'Neal was probably the best big man in the 2000s. Tagged as the most dominant player ever, O'Neal guided the Los Angeles Lakers to three straight titles. "The Big Diesel" altered roster makeups and challenged defensive schemes like no one else during his time.
That said, the Pistons legend placed Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett over Shaq. Was it because Wallace figured O'Neal out in the 2004 NBA Finals?
While the Lakers big man averaged 26.6 points and 10.8 rebounds in his duel against Detroit, Wallace and his crew got the best of Shaq as they took care of the Purple and Gold in just five games. Game 3 was a stunner, as Ben and the Pistons held Shaq to just 14 points and eight rebounds.
Related: "Ben was like that" - Larry Brown compares Ben Wallace to Russell, Chamberlain and Thurmond
The ultimate defender
What allowed "Big Ben" to excel was his unusual approach to the game. While most players would love to pad their scoring stats, the 2004 NBA Champion wanted to affect the game in other ways.
According to his former teammate Chauncey Billups, Ben embraced setting screens, rebounding, and defending. Scoring was not his priority .
"Nah, nah, nah. You score. If I set a screen, and I set a good enough one, don't look at me. You go do what you gotta do. I'm gonna get my touches off the glass," Billups remembered Wallace telling him.
"No, that's never happened. Hell no," he added. "I've never had a guy tell me, 'When I set a screen, I'm rolling, but don't pass me the ball.'... That was crazy to me."
Everything worked out for Ben. No one can say that he competed in an era where big men were soft and weak. The Pistons legend dueled with Shaq, Duncan, KG, and other great bigs and was still able to craft a Hall of Fame career.
Related: "Are you mocking me?" - Ben Wallace initially wasn't pleased with Pistons fans rocking a fake afro to honor him
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