When it comes to all-time great Detroit Pistons, Ben Wallace has to be on that list. Growing up in Detroit, I admire Wallace, but his spot among the top five Pistons is undeniable. His dominance made the 2000 Grant Hill trade one of the NBA’s most lop-sided.
Wallace wasn’t expected to become a cornerstone of the franchise, but 24 years later, his legacy is undeniable. Notably, Wallace won four Defensive Player of the Year awards which is tied for the most in NBA history. Over the years, Wallace had some of the most formidable matchups with some of the game’s best. But who were these greats, and what made them so challenging? Let’s dive into it.
Ben Wallace Reveals His Toughest Matchups
Wallace Matchups With Garnett
Kevin Garnett set the standard for impacting the game of basketball and paved the way for other all-time greats. He was selected with the 5th overall pick in the 1995 NBA Draft and became the second high school player chosen since 1975 (following Daryl Dawkins). Garnett quickly rose from a bench player in his first 37 games to become the franchise cornerstone for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He led the team to seven straight playoff appearances, one division championship, and a Western Conference Finals appearance.
Head-To-Head
Wallace and Garnett were exceptionally agile for their size, but at 6-foot-11, Garnett also possessed a point guard’s skill set. In their 26 head-to-head matchups, Garnett averaged 19.4 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Garnett holds a 20-13 record over Wallace, including a 4-3 edge in the playoffs.
When comparing their performances, Garnett outscored Wallace in 32 meetings, out-rebounded him in 20, out-assisted him in 27, and had more steals in 17 games. Wallace, however, had more blocked shots in 14 of their matchups.
The Big Fundamental
When it comes to mastering the fundamentals of basketball, Tim Duncan did it quite differently. Drafted with the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, Duncan became one of the greatest power forwards ever. Over his 19 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan earned two MVP awards, made 15 All-Star appearances, was named to 15 All-NBA and 15 All-Defense teams, and won 5 NBA championships, including three Finals MVPs. He averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.2 blocks per game, shooting 50% from the field and 69% from the free-throw line.
Head-To-Head
Wallace and Duncan had 28 matchups, with Duncan holding a 19-9 record over Wallace, including a 4-3 advantage in the playoffs. Like Garnett, Duncan’s exceptional athleticism and deep game understanding forced Wallace to move laterally more than usual. Duncan averaged 19.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 blocks per game in their matchups.
When comparing their performances, Duncan outscored Wallace in 26 games, out-rebounded him in 21, and out-assisted him in 19. However, Wallace had more steals in 17 games and more blocks in 14. Watching their battles, especially the 2005 NBA Finals, was thrilling as Duncan led the Spurs to their third championship.
Wallace Matchups With O’Neal
There has been no more dominant center in NBA history than Shaquille O’Neal. Drafted with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, O’Neal used brute force and surprising agility to overpower his opponents. Over 19 seasons with the Lakers, Heat, Cavaliers, Suns, and Celtics, O’Neal earned one MVP award, made 15 All-Star appearances, was named to 15 All-NBA and three All-Defensive teams, and won four NBA championships, including 3 Finals MVPs. He averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game, shooting 58% from the field and 55% from the free-throw line.
Head-To-Head
Whenever Wallace and O’Neal faced off, the matchup was always intriguing, given their immense strength. Despite giving up several inches and nearly 100 pounds, Wallace never backed down, forcing O’Neal to earn every point. In their 45 meetings, Wallace holds a 24-21 edge, including a 14-8 record in the playoffs. O’Neal averaged 23.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.6 blocks in their career matchups, which may suggest a lack of competition, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Comparing their performances, O’Neal outscored Wallace in all 45 games, out-assisted him in eight, and blocked more shots in 19. However, Wallace out-rebounded O’Neal in 25 games and had more steals in 31. Both players took this matchup personally. Some might say O’Neal underestimated Wallace, but the tape reveals the effort O’Neal needed to be effective against him.
The Last Word
Ben Wallace’s legacy is one of respect—not just from those who watched him play, but from the legends he faced on the court. Through every challenge, Wallace remained undaunted, carving out a place for himself among the all-time greats. Ultimately, his journey shows that greatness is about impact and the respect earned from peers, not just the numbers. Wallace earned that respect, solidifying his place as one of the greatest Pistons ever.
