Young Ben Wallace Goes Coast-to-Coast (2000-01)

April 3, 2001 - While the 2001-02 season is widely considered Ben Wallace's breakout year, his first season in Detroit, the year prior, featured much of what we'd come from the soon-to-be four-time Defensive Player of the Year. Starting 80 games for a Detroit Pistons team that finished just 32-50, Wallace quietly entered his name as a viable Defensive Player of the Year candidate, averaging 13.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and 1.3 steals. Despite operating in relative anonymity, Wallace finished tied for fifth (alongside David Robinson) in DPOY voting. 2001 Defensive Player of the Year Results: https://www.basketball-reference.com/... Box Score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/...