There was this game between the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards in January 1998 in the nation’s capital. Detroit, built around core of Grant Hill, Jerry Stackhouse and Brian Williams (who didn’t play that match), lost in disappointing fashion during a disappointing season a year after two consecutive early playoff exits. This nondescript January game was the first time I noticed Big Ben. It was hard not to. Ben Wallace was all over the place, and it seemed that “Wallace” was the most used word by the commentators.
Wallace was not supposed to be a standout player in Washington — not that team with its imposing front court.