The Top 10 Defenders In Orlando Magic History
3) Ben Wallace
“Big Ben” Wallace spent just one season in Orlando, but his defensive abilities were showcased in full, even if he was relegated to less minutes than he would ultimately receive in Detroit. He saw just 24 minutes a game for the 2000 Magic, but he averaged 12.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks/steals per-36.
His value should have been illustrated just by that per-minute production, but Orlando’s loss became Detroit’s gain as the Pistons acquiesced to a sign-and-trade that brought Grant Hill to Orlando. Wallace raked in 1.38 in defensive win-shares per 36 minutes, easily above the league average of 1.00.
Wallace went on to become a three-time defensive player of the year in Detroit while making the All-Star team four times.
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Grant Hill, of course, spent most of his time in Orlando in suits while trying to rehab an ankle that just would not cooperate. Many Magic fans wish the Magic had just hung onto Wallace and let Grant Hill go elsewhere, but hindsight is always perfect.
Wallace spent just one year with the Magic, but it would be ignorant to dismiss the fact he was brilliant in his limited minutes that season.
His Hall of Fame probability according to Basketball Reference is 45.3 percent. It should be much higher. People, writers, fans — just sometimes are blind to the fact that a great defender can take over games. Wallace did just that.
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