From being an undrafted player, to becoming a Champion, becoming an All Star, a multiple time DPOY winner and now a Hall of Famer. What a journey for Big Ben Wallace.
That 2004 Detroit Pistons team was one of the Best Defensive teams in history! They dismantled my Lakers for the 2004 NBA Championship! Well deserved, Ben Wallace was the Anchor on Defense. Great Rebounder and Shot Blocker. Glad to see he was inducted into the Hall of Fame!
But let's not forget He had to go through shaq and Kobe When you got those two on your team you gotta be the best. RIP KOBE THIS PISTON FAN MISSES YOU.
I moved to US in 2004 and pistons were dominating at the time. The whole squad was quality but big ben was my fav cos of his tenacity. I came from London too so it made sense to be big Ben
dr J left umass early in 1971 to sign as an undergraduate free agent with the ABA Squires. Does that count? He was drafted in 72 , after he started his pro career in the ABA . He scored 27.3 ppg as a rookie, was selected to the All-ABA Second Team, made the ABA All-Rookie Team and finished second to Gilmore for the ABA Rookie of the Year Award...interesting story also !
right? i did not know he was like that. he is not a very public dude, is very quiet. If you look for interviews, he did one with a very small creator and another with the Ringer, and thats about it. it seems like he invests most of his time now trying to help minority communities which is what I would do if I had all that money. he could teach a college-level English course easily just by seeing his capability on this stage. what a guy.
2nd best Afro all time….behind Dr. J of course, and was the cover athlete of the first 2K I ever got, 2K5. Since that 2k5 cover, I’ve been a fan ever since and was one of my favorite centers of the 2000s. So happy he’s getting the all time respect he deserves. Congratulations, Big Ben, it was a pleasure watching.
Same Here , I’m from SW Detroit , but moved to Tx in 2011 , just seeing him again on tv gave me nostalgia of them hard times we lived there but those were the best time , Detroit Will always be my home .
Someone who looked and appeared as the image of hip hop culture in his time, giving this speech with the most professionalism and humility. He was just all about the work. Reason I started rocking the headband as a kid
I'm not getting old, we all are. 😭 Big Ben, Kobe (RIP), TD, KG, The Truth, Ray Allen, Bosh, Ginobilli, Parker,.... so many great players from the 2000's
Always been so selfless, even selfless enough during his hall of fame speech to use the metaphor of him always being small, counted out, having to fight, and imagining the success on a leveled playing field and taking that and relating that to his peoples' struggle by saying that and walking off with the Panthers' fist. Just a great human being overall, my childhood hero, and he's always been as solid as we thought, and never let us here in Detroit down. Thank you!
Well Deserved. Great player on the court and just a genuinely cool guy off the court too. To anyone who says that scoring is more impactful than great defense, watch Big Bens highlights.
always looked up to ben as a player. i was always the short kid, and watching ben play like he did always gave me a bit of inspiration in life. big ups ben, thank you.
That right there is one great man! I watched him play basketball, loved every second of it. But to witness him as a man, that's something to behold. I never knew you'd inspire me all these years later Mr Wallace, but in fact you have!
Umm juan they dont get a time frame like that specially under 10 mins....umm didn't u see him speaking..guy was like breaking down ..DO U REALLY THINK HE WANT TO BE THERE FOR OVER 10 MINS????geeezzzzz use ur brain it was his choice man
@@platano3000x nah they for sure get a time frame. Do you think everyone inducted in the beginning decided to all do 10 minute or less speeches? Hell of a coincidence. And hush it up with that teenage girl spelling. Like anyone’s gonna take that seriously.
They should have let the video run a little bit longer just so we can seize the crowd reaction to this magnificent speech. You can see they were shocked and cold after such finish. Big man related his struggles to the struggles of his people and dedicated his moment to his own history, he linked his legacy to his own heritage. Big Ben Wallace, I knew he was the type of player you would take for your team any day of the week against any opponent. Wasn't aware that he was such a man. One of the realest and most inspiring speeches ever given inside a basketball event. We march. Salute to the legend Big Ben Wallace
I'm so happy for Ben Wallace I enjoyed watching him during his time with Detroit in the 2000s when I was in my teens glad he isn't forgotten. His build and style of play was similar to Rodman.
Everybody that played for Washington Bullets/Wizards most went other places and excelled in their career and a few became champions and Hall of Famers , great job Big Ben you deserve it truly you do ! 💯
It is crazy that his statement is as long as the measure of his height?? You can see that it is difficult for him to contain his emotions because he never believed that he would achieve such suckes. A hard-working man from a large family, in addition very modest and shy... It's hard for him to keep himself in check without bursting into tears... Terribly strong character... To contain so many emotions... I've always been a fan of his... Thank you for your memories Ben!!! Are you an incredible inspiration!!! The best defender in NBA history!!!
Im so happy for my guy!!! I literally see him every other week. Spoke to him numerous times, laughed with him as well. He is a great human being and he gives back. I play at the gym be owns in Richmond VA. He's so low key but his presence is always felt whether he speaks or not. I'm so happy for my guy man! Big Ben you deserve this and more
Congrats Big Ben on getting to the hall! You made defense just as entertaining as offense and inspired many including myself to focus on and take pride in that side of the game. A true defensive superstar!
Being told by the world as a black man that you don't fit, then attempting to do something that you love with your peers and still hearing you don't fit is discouraging...acknowledging that having a hard time expressing yourself on top of all this in one of the biggest momemts of your life and still finishing is BigTime!
Agreed. He stood in the ring and went toe to toe with Shaq just like Balboa did with Apollo. Established champ vs tge challenger, who would taste a championship.
Exactly! No funny lockerroom stories, but more spoken word. And the fact that he delivered it so not-smooth, so raw, (so Ben Wallace,) was adding to its brilliance! Loved it!
Ben, your one of the greatest NBA Power forward who ever played the game. We, as your dear fans are very much happy to see you accepting that greatest honor and recipient of HOF award. We love you and God bless. It's "Ben" a heck of a journey to get there.
What a path lived Ben Wallace!! Your vulnerability was on display and sooo needed brotha. 🌹Congratulations and would Love to see you more on more platforms!!
Favorite Ben Wallace memory. NBA finals Game 5 and all the announcers were saying how Shaq was due for a huge game and about 3 or 4 minutes in Shaq went up for an easy defensive rebound but Wallace just jumped over his grasp to tomahawk the putback in. At that moment I knew the Lakers didnt have a chance.
@@erichvonmanstein6876 Whats wrong with you people insulting other online like that... Yes at that point he realized Shaq wont have a big game and Lakers wont be able to win that game to keep them in the series.
@@mrfatuchi the series was over THAT game. So yeah" at that point"? EVERYBODY "KNEW" at that point the series is OVER! Jesus phukin.......what is wrong with you?
@@erichvonmanstein6876 There is nothing wrong with me but I think there is something wrong with you. You cant read and comprehend. Just reading is not wnough you have to comprehend what you have read. OP clearly stated that the commentators were saying Shaq needs a big game for the Lakers to have a chance. And 3 or 4 mins in he said it was clear for him that there was no chance at all. Being up 3-1 is not over Cavs proved that. There is always a chance until its 4 wins. So go again read what was said and comprehend the point that was made.
The Hall of Fame did right by inducting Ben Wallace. He definitely impacted the game. I first watched Ben Wallace when he played for the Orlando Magic. HIs intensity on the court was off the charts. I knew Ben was going to be an impactful player in the NBA. But I had no idea how high he would take his game up until he helped Detroit win a championship in 2004. Great job Ben!
Great speech. One with a potent message. Rise and stand, irregardless of what it is. You got life, you take from life and make living better for you, those that helped you and leave something better for the ones to come after.
Detroit is a tough city and those Pistons teams gave us something to talk about and look forward and to be proud of. Ben fit the city like a glove. Just hard work and dogged determination. That's why he's so beloved here. Well deserved 👏
