Ben Wallace = HoF?

[Altum Volantes]

Had me thinking with his trade today, would Ben Wallace be any kind of shot at making the Hall?

In his prime he was obviously an outstanding defender and rebounder and a key member of a championship team. He is a 4 time defensive player of the year winner but his downside would obviously be his lack of impact on the offensive end.

Would he be considered a similar case to Mutombo, the only other player to win the DPOY 4 times?, (Mutombo was discussed a few weeks back, some for, some against) - or is he simply not in that kind of league?

His stint in Chicago would obviously be a considered a bust but would a comeback of sorts with the Cavs push him close?

 

[mdc]

Not even close.

 

[Modra93]

N O

 

[Renegade]

He wouldn't make it. But i think Mutombo is 50/50

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Probably not.

Isn't high enough in any of the overall stats categories for careers is he?

And he wasn't exactly a star early on in his career.

 

[Crow-mo]

no he had a short prime, and excelled in less glamorous areas in that time. arguably given his pre-pistons and post pistons career the system helped him more than vice versa.

he will def be harmed by his complete bust in chicago too.

 

[WakeUpPies]

you compair mutombo to wallets?

wallace is not even close to HOF, mutombo will get his jersey retired at serveral different teams and be in the HOF for all the good things he has done, mutombo uses his money to help poor people, Wallace buys himself ****s (not really, but you get the point)

if wallace can make it into the HOF then lets put people like bowen in as well

can someone please close this thread

 

[Borgsta]

no no God no. Not a chance and if he even gets close my respect for the HOF will be non existent.

 

[MCE]

I agree with most replies that Wallace probably shouldn't make it into the HoF. However reading the above comparisons with Mutombo made me think of another defensive specialist - Dennis Rodman. What are his chances of being voted in one day? He won 5 championships with two different teams and dominated the rebounding title for a long time as well as winning numerous defensive awards. Would the fact that he was such a controversial character during his career hinder his chances... or maybe help them?

 

[WakeUpPies]

people, Mutombo isn't getting into the HOF because of his defensive awards alone...its all the humanitarian things he has done too

 

[Altum Volantes]

can someone please close this thread

Jeez sit down sally, it was only a question.

Plenty of people were totally against Mutombo getting the honour too ya know, that was the comparison I was making.

 

[Adrian Shelton]

Just a taller version of Larry Smith pretty much, more of a winner than Smith in his prime though

 

[Last Line Hero]

Not even close.

You really don't like guys in the vein of Camby and Wallace do you?

I agree with some points I've seen you make about them, but you underrate them a great deal also.

PS: Depending on what Wallace does from here will determine his chances. If he continues to flop for the next 3-4-5 years and then retires as an utter shadow of his prime, then no. But provided he can turn things around in Cleveland and become a somewhat renowned defender again, then it's a definite possibility.

 

[mdc]

You really don't like guys in the vein of Camby and Wallace do you?

I agree with some points I've seen you make about them, but you underrate them a great deal also.

PS: Depending on what Wallace does from here will determine his chances. If he continues to flop for the next 3-4-5 years and then retires as an utter shadow of his prime, then no. But provided he can turn things around in Cleveland and become a somewhat renowned defender again, then it's a definite possibility.

Actually, Ben Wallace was one of my favourite players when he played for the Pistons. In his prime, a better player than Camby. But he was only an elite player for a few years, and that won't get you into the HOF.

Unless he magically re-discovers his 40" vert in Cleveland, he'll never get back to that elite level - thus no chance.

 

[Crow-mo]

You really don't like guys in the vein of Camby and Wallace do you?

I agree with some points I've seen you make about them, but you underrate them a great deal also.

PS: Depending on what Wallace does from here will determine his chances. If he continues to flop for the next 3-4-5 years and then retires as an utter shadow of his prime, then no. But provided he can turn things around in Cleveland and become a somewhat renowned defender again, then it's a definite possibility.

That you ask IF he continues to flop, tells me you've not watched him play in the year or so

 

[MCE]

Just a taller version of Larry Smith pretty much, more of a winner than Smith in his prime though

Has earned a fair bit more money than Larry Smith too:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithla01.html

 

[Last Line Hero]

That you ask IF he continues to flop, tells me you've not watched him play in the year or so

The word "continues" would (should obviously) imply that I have seen him play and agree that he has been shocking of late, "if" is merely stating that should he continue in his current form he will not make hOF.

I can't believe you wasted your own time with that response.

 

[Crow-mo]

The word "continues" would (should obviously) imply that I have seen him play and agree that he has been shocking of late, "if" is merely stating that should he continue in his current form he will not make hOF.

I can't believe you wasted your own time with that response.

no, its pretty clear I pegged you right.

if you had watched him, you'd have seen a physical decline that is not likely to reverse. his problems are more than form and attitude.

nice one

 

[Last Line Hero]

no, its pretty clear I pegged you right.

if you had watched him, you'd have seen a physical decline that is not likely to reverse. his problems are more than form and attitude.

nice one

Yeah OK then mate.

An arrogant Adelaide fan, telling a bloke who's followed NBA his whole life, actually supports the Detroit Pistons and has Ben Wallace as one of his favourite all- time players, that I haven't watched him play in Chicago. You don't think I would actually go out of my way to watch him when I could as a Bull, having been devastated to lose him? Your'e stupider than I thought if you that is what you think.

So what if he has declined physically? You telling me you've never seen NBA players play well, well into their 30's? Marcus Camby is the same age as Big Ben and with a severe history of injury problems and he's playing better than he ever has. There were many, many factors at play that were far greater in hindering Wallace in Chicago, such as attitude and the guys around him. Ben was All- Defensive in 2006/07, so his slump has been confined to 1 year, and it's his experience, natural defensive nous and timing that will always allow him to be a chance to turn it around, especially now he'll be released from the rigours of playing C.

 

[Osmodiar]

I think this sums up Ben Wallace's Career right now

well since Chicago anyway

 

[Crow-mo]

Yeah OK then mate.

An arrogant Adelaide fan, telling a bloke who's followed NBA his whole life, actually supports the Detroit Pistons and has Ben Wallace as one of his favourite all- time players, that I haven't watched him play in Chicago. You don't think I would actually go out of my way to watch him when I could as a Bull, having been devastated to lose him? Your'e stupider than I thought if you that is what you think.

blah blah blah...

you've either not watched him or you're a terrible judge. which one?

funny how you want to support the validity of your opinion with everything but the content of it.

I still even more certain behind the accusation that you're talking out of your backside.

So what if he has declined physically? You telling me you've never seen NBA players play well, well into their 30's? Marcus Camby is the same age as Big Ben and with a severe history of injury problems and he's playing better than he ever has.

So what? So what? do you have any idea what you're talking about?

the references to Marcus Camby & Ben Wallace in the same breath suggest no. Physically very different players, relying on different atheltic tool sets.

The physical decline is the big reason why Ben's contract became an albatross. Attitude can be fixed, physical decline cannot.

There were many, many factors at play that were far greater in hindering Wallace in Chicago, such as attitude and the guys around him. Ben was All- Defensive in 2006/07, so his slump has been confined to 1 year, and it's his experience, natural defensive nous and timing that will always allow him to be a chance to turn it around, especially now he'll be released from the rigours of playing C.

yup, obviously a keen observer.

the entire ****ing league can see he has lost is legs and is half a step slower, and getting slower. but Mr lifelong fan, Ben Wallace groupie, can't?

wonder why?

 

[Crow-mo]

I think this sums up Ben Wallace's Career right now

well since Chicago anyway

Indeed.

 

[Last Line Hero]

blah blah blah...

you've either not watched him or you're a terrible judge. which one?

funny how you want to support the validity of your opinion with everything but the content of it.

I still even more certain behind the accusation that you're talking out of your backside.




So what? So what? do you have any idea what you're talking about?

the references to Marcus Camby & Ben Wallace in the same breath suggest no. Physically very different players, relying on different atheltic tool sets.

The physical decline is the big reason why Ben's contract became an albatross. Attitude can be fixed, physical decline cannot.



yup, obviously a keen observer.

the entire ****ing league can see he has lost is legs and is half a step slower, and getting slower. but Mr lifelong fan, Ben Wallace groupie, can't?

wonder why?

First of all I admitted he had declined physically.

Second of all originally I never said he "would" turn himself around again. All I said was if he "could" he'd be a chance to make the HOF. If he does or doesn't, I don't really care TBH.

Third of all you can keep trying to think (for whatever reason) that I haven't watched Ben Wallace in Chicago, but why baffles me. You've created this frivilous argument from nothing. Time to move on I think mate.

Fourth of all, "wonder why" what?

 

[jod23]

Wallace isnt good enough for the HOF. Mutombo and Rodman will make it though.

 

[morgoth]

Best rebounder I have seen is Rodman, utter nutcase but got the job done.

Wallace is ordinary. Good player in a good team, but ordinary in a poor team. Great players (and HOF have to be great) play well in bad teams.