Another Is He A Hall Of Famer? Thread. The Ben Wallace Edition

[groundsupport]

Ben Wallace

NBA Champion: 2004
4× NBA All-Star: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
4× NBA Defensive Player of the Year: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
6× All-NBA Defensive Team:
First Team: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Second Team: 2007
5× All-NBA:
Second Team: 2003, 2004, 2006
Third Team: 2002, 2005
2× NBA regular-season leader, rebounds per game: 2002 (13.0), 2003 (15.4)
NBA regular-season leader, blocks per game: 2002 (3.5)
2× NBA regular-season leader, total rebounds: 2001 (1052), 2003 (1026)
NBA regular-season leader, total defensive rebounds: 2001 (749)
2× NBA regular-season leader, total offensive rebounds: 2003 (293), 2006 (301)
NBA regular-season leader, total blocks: 2002 (278)


Did he do enough to make it into the Hall Of Fame?

Discuss.

[Nyfancam01]

as good as he was at times.... I don't think he did enough, for long enough to be a HOFer

just IMO.

[groundsupport]

Got to remember, he would man up 7'2" Shaq and he is only 6'9".

[Sikkcaden]

He probably gets in way later down the road. I mean hes one of the best defensive players ever. If anyone goes in on those Pistons teams besides Sheed its Ben Wallace. Yes, even over Chauncey.

[jubei777]

Maybe. I would think on a weak ballot and definitely not for a while.

[realreodeal]

He is a sure fire HOF'er

[pac213up]

People undervalue great defensive players so I am going to say no.

[tokenpatel]

It sucks for him because he had a really good 4-5 year stint where everything was working for him. I got to agree with Nyfancam01 in him not doing more for a longer period of time. If he makes it, it probably was a weak year of inductees. With that said, if he doesn't make it, he will be one of the greater players to not make the HOF

[groundsupport]

Added a poll.

[burke23]

No. I don't think he gets close, either.

[guru]

He'll get in eventually. It is easier to get into the basketball hall of fame than any other.

[Nsingerma11]

He is a sure fire HOF'er

Ummm...he may get in...but "sure fire" is not accurate by any stretch.

I don't think he gets in at all

[groundsupport]

No. I don't think he gets close, either.

Why don't you think he gets close?

[Gio47]

The first 4-5 years and last 4-5 years of his career should knock him out of the conversation. You can't be mediocre for that long a span and make the hall of fame.

[lb_sa]

One of the best defensive players to walk the planet, but those type of guys are undervalued.

That said, the longevity of how well he played wasn't long enough to be a HOFer in my opinion.

I'd say it's about a 60% chance he doesn't get in, but could later on with the right ballot.

[Craig]

No doubt he was one of the best defenders of his generation, but it's tough to imagine a guy who averaged less than six points per game getting elected. He also sandwiched his prime between some lousy seasons at the beginning and end of his career.

Wallace was a great defender and excellent rebounder, but he was a liability on the offensive end of the floor and I'm not sure that the committee could get past his offensive futility. He may gain election down the road given that the BBHOF doesn't always have lofty standards, but I'd say induction is unlikely.

[burke23]

Why don't you think he gets close?

As others state, defensive is underappreciated, and quite frankly his offensive numbers are so woeful that people might have a hard time stomaching putting him in.

[bdoody42]

He will get in down the road. He was a complete stud on defense.

[suki24]

Mutombo needs to make it first for him to have a chance.

[nateadams2]

As big a Melo fan as I am. If people think Melo gets in when he is all offense and close to the worst playoff record of anyone

How is it that Wallace doesn't get in? He's mainly all defense but still.

[groundsupport]

It's not like he was only good for 3 years.

I say it was a solid 8 years. 6 straight ECF appearences. And 2-3 years building up to it. Detroit had one of the best defenses for years because of him.

[mrveggieman]

I personally wouldn't vote for him but I do believe that he will get in eventually.

[Scottish Punk]

As much as my homer brain says hell yeah, I don't think he makes it. I think you would need to compare his stats with Rodman's. Similar players. Rodman seems so much better because he went to Chicago and got all the pub and more championships. Wallace suffers from being an "unknown" for so long.

Then again Ralph Sampson???? So who knows.

[AlphaNOmega06]

Yea he'll get in eventually, I mean its sort of hard to look past those 4 straight defensive player of the year awards. If you really want to compare someone whos career highlights sort of match his and is also in the HOF then go look at Charles Barkley.

[jr24ai3]

Yea he'll get in eventually, I mean its sort of hard to look past those 4 straight defensive player of the year awards. If you really want to compare someone whos career highlights sort of match his and is also in the HOF then go look at Charles Barkley.


What?!? You are comparing Barkley to Ben Wallace? You have to be kidding.

Barkley has over 23000 points, averaged 22 points, nearly 12 rebounds, 11x all star, 5x all nba 1st team, 5x all nba 2nd team, 1 MVP, 54% FG pct, 73% ft shooting.

Compared to wallace: 6 points per game, 9.6 rebounds, 4x all star 0 all nba 1st team, 3 all nba 2nd team, 0 mvp, 1 title, 47% fg pct, 41% ft shooting.

Maybe compare Wallace to Marcus Camby.

[Beavers98]

I'm going to have to say NO

[zdmetal]

If there is a really weak class down the road I think he could sneak in. Therefore, I voted yes. Definitely not a first ballot candidate or anything though.

[EMD34]

I think he will. It really doesn't take much to get in these days.

[SportsItUpCards]

He sure is! Very underrated player.

[Big Ben Fan]

Of course im going to be baised, but I really think he would have to make it, as everyone said though it really comes down to if his defence was respected enough, MY MAN WAS A BEAST

[groundsupport]

I like how even this poll is. Its a 60/40 split.