Ben Wallace: Does the GREATEST UNDRAFTED PLAYER EVER belong on the NBA Top 75 List? | FPP

One of the greatest defensive players the NBA has ever seen, yet one who isn’t talked about nearly as much as he should be. Ben Wallace took an unlikely route to the NBA through junior college and division II Virgina Union University, and wouldn’t have done that without the help of his mentor and New York Knicks great, Charles Oakley. Wallace went undrafted and worked his way into a spot with the Washington Bullets and Wizards during their Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Rod Strickland era. Once Webber was gone, Wallace got a bigger role and showed glimpses of the impact he could have on games. He got his first real chance with the Orlando Magic under Doc Rivers after the trade of Penny Hardaway. A year in Orlando saw him traded to the Detroit Pistons as part of a package for Grant Hill and the next 6 years would be nothing short of dominant. During his time with the Detroit Pistons featuring Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince; Ben Wallace was routinely the league’s top defensive force, always at the top of the rebounding, block and steal leaderboards and during his time in Detroit he would win 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards, which is still tied with Dikembe Mutombo for the most all time. Wallace was the defensive anchor that helped Detroit win the 2004 NBA championship, but clashes with a new coach in Flip Saunders would lead to him leaving for the Chicago Bulls, unfortunately, he was never the same player after this as he would spend time with the Bulls, then the LeBron James led Cavs and then back to Detroit to end his career. But throughout his 16 years, Wallace defied the odds as an undersized center who could do everything on the defensive end while outworking everyone on the offensive glass to get his points. It’s not so much that Big Ben is forgotten, as he is just very underappreciated. He got his long overdue call to the NBA Hall of Fame in 2021, but was surprisingly left off of the NBA’s top 75 list. But, that doesn’t take away from just how dominant Ben Wallace was in throughout the majority of the 2000s.
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[@TheShadow84]

Making 5 All NBA teams not being a huge scorer with 3 top 10 MVP finishes with 4 DPOYS (Back to Back twice) is super impressive.

[@leonzaduncan2438]

And 2nd in 04

[@christiansoldier77]

@TheShadow84 It's isn't that impressive because he was in a weak era

[@17thNO]

​@@christiansoldier77That is your opinion and you are wrong. That was an extremly tough defensive era, which was difficult to win in.

[@christiansoldier77]

@@17thNO No it wasn't a tough era for big men. Who was his competition? The fact that this guy was all NBA 5 times proved how weak an era it was

[@3timez]

​@@christiansoldier77Weak how?

[@reddmandooney]

He embodied what it meant to play for Detroit. Forever a legend in the city.

[@jangecekjange3525]

BEN SIMENS BEN WOLLAC SAME PLAYER

[@user-ye3ci5yb7v]

i think ben wallace is top 5 players of all time..i got jordan at number 4 than ben wallace at number 5

[@macroball_media]

Ben Wallace was the first NBA player that caught my eye when I first started watching basketball - the headband and armbands, the intensity on defense, sheer dominance on the glass, and of course the Fro. One of the most underrated icons in NBA history.

[@blakebrown84]

Ben Wallace is regarded by many to be the greatest undrafted player in NBA history, so he was known for his shot-blocking, rebounding, and overall defensive play.

[@johnjohnson8364]

He deserves to be in the hall of fame for his accomplishments IMHO ❤

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

That Piston’s era was Ben Wallace team to me. Any offensive player on Ben’s level would’ve got their respect and legend status (I know us true basketball heads acknowledge that).

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

Any offensive equivalent to Ben Wallace would’ve ended up in the goat debate

[@thepubknight6144]

He was definitely one of the most popular players in the league Loved his game

[@justcruzin17]

He completely changed the concept of 2000s basketball along with his team. It was well on its way to shot jacking and iso play… this team without a true superstar grit and grinded their way to winning it all against Shaq and Kobe. He along w sheed were clearly the leaders. For this I can see why he can crack top 75. While I also understand contrary arguments stats wise.

[@graysonkiser8042]

Would you ever consider doing a Earl Boykins video? Theres hardly any content of him on KZbin for how amazing his career was. 5'5, played like he was 6'7, undrafted, played 13 seasons for a bunch of different teams, and was one of the strongest players while he played being able to bench over 315lbs! Edit: thanks for the likes guys. Our man Earl needs a video!

[@Billy-ot8mk]

Big Ben was such an amazing defender.

[@onemeterskeeter421]

Came here right after watching Jonny Arnett’s video 🔥

[@eugenedantzler4485]

YES!!! FINALLY😂😂😂😂😂. I have been begging for this one lol. And he is from my homestate!! Alabama!!!

[@J-Hue]

He was aftually clutch on the offensive boards. If it wasn't tough enough stoppingbthe Pistons in crunch time, I can't count how many tip outs he made to Chauncey, Rip, and Tay, when they missed in the last 2 minutes of games.

[@rionatlastramirez2701]

1st ever undrafted player in HOF...👏👏👏👏

[@tenzinalexander]

I knew when my Magic traded away Ben that it was a mistake. When he was with the Heart & Hustle (which they called the Magic team the year they were expected to lose 70 games) he was assigned speficallly to guard Tim Duncan and Karl Malone- Duncan only scored 8 points and Malone was limited to 12 points.

[@BagOfBurgers]

If Rodman can make top 75 off of his rebounds and defense Wallace should too. Both had very unusual game styles and were not known for their offense but were still forces of nature on the court.

[@DreDiddy83]

Shoutout to Big Ben From White Hall,Alabama #45Strong

[@Watchingvideoslikeu]

Bill Russell, Wes Unseld, & Ben Wallace all undersized centers who were defensively focused and the best players on championship teams

[@Yardie1682]

Definitely the man was a defensive monster

[@jmax313]

@Ben Wallace , asa native Detroiter & a Natural Alabamian, let it be known! If you didn't know, now you know. We were lucky to have him, I used to ditch work, to see these guys play, I knew when we obtained @Rasheed Walace and him it was ours, fortunately Mr. Big Shot, and Yesssssiiiiir RIP Hamilton. It was going down ! Thank You Big Fella we love you man !

[@mangrove]

It irked me when Stuckey didn't give up the 3 for Ben. Big Ben might've a "has-been" at that point, but Stuckey's a "never-was",.

[@jayyarbrough9902]

They only came back from 1-3 against the Magic because Carlisle finally began starting Tayshaun. He put a hurting on McGrady.

[@thymick5581]

This is why I have started to play Basketball first, then Iverson confirmed my passion!

[@charlesordone8773]

Thank you for signing with Washington. It was a pure delight having a genuine big man to anchor the middle. We had a chance in nearly every game. What I didn't realize at the time was that we had a future Hall of Famer in the low post. Best wishes always!

[@RolandBullock-ej8wl]

crazy washington had sheed, ben, howard and webber....imagine if they kept them all wow

[@Atlas365247]

Hamilton also. And as a Wiz follower. I'm highly frustrated over the yrs of terrible team & player development

[@JoeBChill]

Greatest Post Defender of all time👑👑👑👑👑

[@anthonyhurd5573]

Dennis Rodman bro, but I do understand you.

[@Magicstockton]

The world lucky Ben wasn’t 6’11”.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

I think he had the wingspan where it didn’t matter

[@chunky9791]

2:53 6'10 Freshman C lmfao 😢

[@brandonfouts4074]

Bro I love your attention to detail on your videos! I think your content is very accurate as well.

[@truthonly-]

This was real good. Do Ben Gordon

[@terrenceliburd8655]

Vinny Johnson 2.0

[@3timez]

Another 🔥🔥🔥 video... Ideas for another video... Darius Miles, Ricky Davis, Josh Smith, Memhet Okur, or Andrei Kirilenko..

[@AgeofCraccadilliaassent]

Yes he does absolutely. He was the x factor game changer

[@Zamppa86]

Big Ben was cool, awesome and definitely an example of how one can reach heights people would not believe if one only trusted in himself and worked hard enough. Even though even suggesting him to NBA 75 is a rather massive stretch. I would have picked Dikembe Mutombo to that list over Ben Wallace for example. Massive kudos to Wallace for his achievements and HOF nomination though. Well deserved!

[@user-ye3ci5yb7v]

ben wallace is top 5 of all time/////only reason i put jordan at 4th spot is cuz jordan was a little better on steals.

[@BigPadre_]

I thought u meant overall for a sec not defense 😭@@user-ye3ci5yb7v

[@panzerpeace4203]

The Last Defensiv super Star - that was the Last Defensiv Monster

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

Josh Howard is tailor made for this!!!

[@Kushalmighty13x]

I feel like ben wallace getting a triple double is as amazing as david Robinson quadruple double no cap

[@James-ki5ix]

That ecf round against the pacers only went gix games

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

athletes rise to the top.........no matter the sport...........good for him!

[@acnicodemus4734]

Make one about Michael Cooper, dude was underrated

[@BadTV1993]

AC Green too

[@user-ye3ci5yb7v]

michael cooper is top 35 players all time he is at 34th place just aheadof tiny archibald

[@HerboSwervooo]

Great job on this video

[@meinfreundfranz]

Great Video! 🫡💛

[@tenzinalexander]

Can you please do Horace Grant, the most underrated power forward ever?

[@user-ye3ci5yb7v]

i got horace grant on top 20 players of all time he is at 17 spot just ahead of mo cheeks//////////

[@tenzinalexander]

@@user-ye3ci5yb7v he's one my favorite players of all time. He was the glue for that Magic team and was heavily unrerappreciated with the Bulls. I always have hom on my team when i play nba 2k. And he looked so cool with the goggles when he was with the Magic!! The General was da man!

[@thepubknight6144]

​@@tenzinalexander the Goggles and that elbow pad with the bulls red , blue magic and yellow Laker color was a classic drip

[@tenzinalexander]

@@thepubknight6144 the magic one with his Solis blue goggles was my favorite! He patented that!

[@lonnellgrigsby1367]

The Top 3 Greatest Help Defenders All Time No question

[@user-td6sb4wn3f]

THE GOAT DROPS AGAIN

[@michaelrossLegit]

NBA 2K5 my guy fr

[@thepubknight6144]

Always signed him to my 2006 Lakers squad with Kobe and Nash Made them elite yearly

[@ericwright2594]

rip cliff robinson

[@bryanbarthlow3961]

Have you done a video on Sam Cassell

[@papashoe_54]

Yes he does no doubt about it

[@dirtmarc4436]

Josh howard , Ron. Mercer , Elton 1999 1st pick and how do we donate. Videos are great

[@lashgoshotwheels1127]

Thank you 😊

[@nathanlawson313]

Most disrespected champion of all time, the 2004 Pistons. I have Ben over Bill Russell as best defender of all time. He DOMINATED games start to finish. As impressive as his stats already are, most of what he did never shows up in a boxscore. You just gotta watch the tape... I don't, I was there!

[@ranzu8732]

Do Robert Horry next, or Kevin Willis

[@Amick44]

Willis is underrated.

[@ranzu8732]

@@Amick44 agreed

[@jasonic-ks2tm]

Everyone forgot Popeye Jones, Kerry kittles, Kat mobley

[@MarkFranklin-ws5jf]

Not everyone forgot Kerry Kittles. Every year Ill watch replays of the j.Kidd era Nets teams. That evolving team was the king of the underdogs

[@jonathanscrutchensYT]

I need a Bull one so do Luol or Kirk

[@iamklasick323]

You should make a video on Joe Johnson I think he gets forgotten even though he was a 7 time all star

[@i_fuze_hostages6]

iso Joe was a fucking menace 😂

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

He was in the top 75 when he retired but hes in the 80-100 range now

[@hendrikwidjaya1494]

Do muggsy bogues 😊

[@Whyyouonmypagekid]

Do josh smith

[@alectapia1518]

Well deserved spotlight and as underrated and underappreciated as the entire 2000-2023 NBA... Post Jordan era has had its marketing troubles... But Ben Wallace is a great player spotlight for this format. As valuable or better than Dennis Rodman in all the service areas of the game. Rodman with shot blocking prowess the SIZE of Hakeem Olajuwon... Somehow Olajuwon walked away from the game with only two DPOYs smack dab in the middle of his career and tail end of HIS PRIME... From 85-92, Olajuwon had some difficulty getting recognition in exchange for Eaton and Rodman to receive a spotlight. And players like Michael Cooper and Alvin Robertson also stealing a couple DPOYs that could and maybe should have easily went to Hakeem the Dream. Even Jordan, who deserved his DPOY in 87-88 more so than Eaton in 88-89, Cooper in 86-87 and Rodman in 90 & 91, still at his DEFENSIVE BEST, was only scratching the surface of Olajuwons permanently DOMINANT DEFENSE from 85-86 to 91-92

[@alectapia1518]

Probably could have and should have AT THE LEAST have gone somewhat like THIS 84-85 Eaton DPOY for his outrageous 5.6 blks per game and Olajuwon a rookie was just tuning up next to Sampson with 2.7 blks and 1.2 spg for 3.9 defensive stops per game In 85-86, Alvin Robertson was incredible with 3.7 SPG ! But Olajuwon was 5.3 steals and blocks per game ! And on the WC champion Rockets 🚀 but got stiffed for having Sampson a twin tower on his side. 86-87, Cooper won based on being a Laker when 65-17 or whatever and hardly averaging 1-2 steals and blks per game and playing 29-30 mpg as a sixth man. The NBA sometimes loves 6 men too much, Olajuwon averaged 5.4 steals and blks per game, and Alvin Robertson didn't need a dominant record in 85-86 to win a DPOY, Cooper's DPOY is probably the most fictitious in history seeing as though it ROBBED the GOAT defender's chances at a DESERVED 4-5-6-7 DPOYs in his LONG and HEALTHY Career ! 87-88, Jordan and Olajuwon were the two best defender's in the game, both averaged amazingly high steals and blks per game but Jordan won 50 games and averaged 35 ppg, if anybody deserved a DPOY stolen from Olajuwon, it was Jordan in 87-88. 88-89, Eaton got too much credit for the Jazz's 51-31 record (same as the 85-86 Rockets 🚀 hmm ?) And 2nd or 1st ranked defense, when Stockton and Malone and Sloan and Hansen and Bailey and co. Contributed mightily to the statuesque Eaton's freakish shot blocking dominance... But Olajuwon is a gang of velociraptors compared to Eaton's 🦖 T-Rex... he is getting more done and a movie series would be carried by him and not Eaton. Sue is important, and T-Rex r cool faux Kings , but Velociraptors r the smart bird 🐦 lizard 🦎 for whom the humans need study more in order to understand predators and prey and world history... Olajuwon is the major link in the chain of all time defense, give the NBA a break for 2 decades and style across Olajuwons defensive stats and just try to keep your mouth closed and eyeballs in their socket once u realize how unique in ALL NBA history his DEFENSIVE stats r across the board, rebounding 11-13 boards a game, 3-4 blks per game, 1-2 stls per game, 6.7 one year ! The Nigerian was DISS respected, all while Dream Shaking his way into the HOF.. he is still largely too misunderstood

[@alectapia1518]

Well deserved spotlight and as underrated and underappreciated as the entire 2000-2023 NBA... Post Jordan era has had its marketing troubles... But Ben Wallace is a great player spotlight for this format. As valuable or better than Dennis Rodman in all the service areas of the game. Rodman with shot blocking prowess the SIZE of Hakeem Olajuwon... Somehow Olajuwon walked away from the game with only two DPOYs smack dab in the middle of his career and tail end of HIS PRIME... From 85-92, Olajuwon had some difficulty getting recognition in exchange for Eaton and Rodman to receive a spotlight. And players like Michael Cooper and Alvin Robertson also stealing a couple DPOYs that could and maybe should have easily went to Hakeem the Dream. Even Jordan, who deserved his DPOY in 87-88 more so than Eaton in 88-89, Cooper in 86-87 and Rodman in 90 & 91, still at his DEFENSIVE BEST, was only scratching the surface of Olajuwons permanently DOMINANT DEFENSE from 85-86 to 91-92

[@alectapia1518]

Probably could have and should have AT THE LEAST have gone somewhat like THIS 84-85 Eaton DPOY for his outrageous 5.6 blks per game and Olajuwon a rookie was just tuning up next to Sampson with 2.7 blks and 1.2 spg for 3.9 defensive stops per game In 85-86, Alvin Robertson was incredible with 3.7 SPG ! But Olajuwon was 5.3 steals and blocks per game ! And on the WC champion Rockets 🚀 but got stiffed for having Sampson a twin tower on his side. 86-87, Cooper won based on being a Laker when 65-17 or whatever and hardly averaging 1-2 steals and blks per game and playing 29-30 mpg as a sixth man. The NBA sometimes loves 6 men too much, Olajuwon averaged 5.4 steals and blks per game, and Alvin Robertson didn't need a dominant record in 85-86 to win a DPOY, Cooper's DPOY is probably the most fictitious in history seeing as though it ROBBED the GOAT defender's chances at a DESERVED 4-5-6-7 DPOYs in his LONG and HEALTHY Career ! 87-88, Jordan and Olajuwon were the two best defender's in the game, both averaged amazingly high steals and blks per game but Jordan won 50 games and averaged 35 ppg, if anybody deserved a DPOY stolen from Olajuwon, it was Jordan in 87-88. 88-89, Eaton got too much credit for the Jazz's 51-31 record (same as the 85-86 Rockets 🚀 hmm ?) And 2nd or 1st ranked defense, when Stockton and Malone and Sloan and Hansen and Bailey and co. Contributed mightily to the statuesque Eaton's freakish shot blocking dominance... But Olajuwon is a gang of velociraptors compared to Eaton's 🦖 T-Rex... he is getting more done and a movie series would be carried by him and not Eaton. Sue is important, and T-Rex r cool faux Kings , but Velociraptors r the smart bird 🐦 lizard 🦎 for whom the humans need study more in order to understand predators and prey and world history... Olajuwon is the major link in the chain of all time defense, give the NBA a break for 2 decades and style across Olajuwons defensive stats and just try to keep your mouth closed and eyeballs in their socket once u realize how unique in ALL NBA history his DEFENSIVE stats r across the board, rebounding 11-13 boards a game, 3-4 blks per game, 1-2 stls per game, 6.7 one year ! The Nigerian was DISS respected, all while Dream Shaking his way into the HOF.. he is still largely too misunderstood

[@uchembabasketball6754]

A great forgotten play is Mark Eaton, Jazz lifer who made the most of what he could while his body broke down.

[@uchembabasketball6754]

Another good video would be Dikembe Mutombo who though was an 8x all star is overlooked by other centers in his era

[@randymontana6665]

Cool, respected,we talking about BIG BEN, ANIMAL!!!!!!

[@robertjohnmarcella263]

yes

[@pgfnj0279]

Why wouldn’t he be? It shouldn’t even be a debate

[@ljerns2167]

Do Byron Scott or grant hill

[@randymontana6665]

VA UNION...👍

[@ShadowDragonGT]

Duncan should of won the 03 defensive award he was the defense and offense of the spurs and led them to title and was MVP

[@kincamell]

Heavy

[@BadTV1993]

you covered Tom Chambers yet? he is one of the most underrated players in history to me

[@ouvaysuave9703]

16:23 talk about sh*ttin the bed, passing on Carmelo Anthony, Chris bosh and Dwayne wade

[@piggybankvillan]

#FearTheFro

[@jimmybo0m]

if DET drafted Melo instead of Darko, they would have been a dynasty 💯

[@TheShadow84]

Maybe but if they draft Melo they don't trade for Rasheed mid-season.

[@alexanderadonyae7937]

@ jimmy.. facts 💯

[@camiamproducer]

Smh Auburn fumbled

[@shaktiknox8618]

This isn't factual, Ben Wallace chose basketball after he injured his neck playing football, he said so himself, now I can't trust these documentaries

[@AveryBlackman]

Thank God he played in the shutty 2000's 😅

[@17thNO]

Yet another person with a nonsense take.

[@AveryBlackman]

@@17thNO ok nonsense, you think he could guard Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Wilt Chamberlain in different eras. I'm not talking about the older versions either. Don't give me the bullcrap about guard prime Shaq.

[@3timez]

Define "shitty 2000s" please..

[@AveryBlackman]

​@@3timezFor example in 2004 The Heat were the # 4 seed in the east at 42-40 and throughout 2000's teams under .500 were playoffs teams. To be continued....

[@3timez]

@@AveryBlackmanThe East might've been weak, but most of the teams in the West teams won like 50 games all decade.

[@user-ye3ci5yb7v]

ben wallace is top 5 player of all time ..top 5 are wilt chamberlain bill russell jerry west michael jordan and number 5 ben wallace,,,ben simmons is 6 ..anthony davis 7...alonzo ball 8 dennis johnson 9 ray allen 10..kobi is at 21 bird at 23 magic 24 shaq at 45 lebron at 47 curry 49 and at 50 spot is moses malone and bugsy are tied.i would put charles barkley at 51 cuz he had the best 3 point shot of all time////////////

[@justinmilicic5929]

Why no one ever wanna talk bout darko milicic?

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

Larry Brown is terrible at developing players

[@cocokatdaddy42]

Too bad defense isn't played in today game. Ben Wallace would obsolete it today's game. He has only been retired a decade.

[@bettyboytv3798]

Bro be doing some real research

[@philb.1502]

Wallace was a specialist! Similar to Rodman. He was a great rebounder and shot blocker. Great defender. He was awful offensively and couldn't make a free throw. He's NOT a top 75 player.

[@romeyrome6776]

No words for this 1 and the player... 🥹🥹🥹🥹🔥🔥

[@youtuber3328]

ben wallace was an average player not facing legends like jerry west larry bird magic johnson kareem abdul-jabbar oscar robertson wilt chamberlain and bill russell

[@jasonic-ks2tm]

Ben Wallace forgotten? I dont get it so many other players to choose from .

[@4392amtrak]

I would say Rip Hamilton is more forgotten than him, and who knows if he'll ever make the hall

[@sonnycarson6142]

Bro, you got the best content right now 🫡💪🏽🔥🔥🧠🧠👍🏼👀

[@dusttaker]

Add Jokic to the list of 75.

[@dontdoittoyoself6786]

That’s mad random

[@4392amtrak]

Alex Smith, aka Mahomes predecessor, on a football profile

[@Amick44]

No he doesn't.

[@BigWillieDillie]

Jonny Arnett just dropped this video.....did yall just copy that man or is it Ben Wallace Week💀

[@Alajuwon]

Sneaky one. Michael Beasley.

[@terrenceliburd8655]

A Walking bucket, never knew why he wasn't more successful.

[@Alajuwon]

Do Dwight Howard next.

[@kenw2225]

Meh

[@eugenedantzler4485]

Dwight has not been forgotten... Trust me lol

[@TheShadow84]

Dwight was great at banging low in the post. Extremely determined & aggressive at getting his hands on balls.

[@chocolatedaddy2094]

​@@TheShadow84Right Dwight was taking it to the hole literally 😂😂😂😂

[@TheShadow84]

@@chocolatedaddy2094 He loves the "D".

[@espectrodelayautja6320]

Arguably the worse HOF of any sport to ever exist. Hands down.

[@tedski718]

And real dpoy not like draymond dirty green