Detroit Pistons to don Ben Wallace socks for jersey retirement
The Detroit Pistons will be donning Ben Wallace-clad socks on Saturday for his jersey retirement.
Ben Wallace will always be remembered as one of the greatest defenders in NBA history and his time with the Detroit Pistons was probably what will always stick in people’s heads when they hear his name. He will be getting his No. 3 retired at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Saturday night and the current Pistons will be honoring him — with socks.
Yes, the current players will be wearing Wallace-clad socks to honor the former All-Star, NBA champion and four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Picture of @stancehoops socks DET players will wear Saturday vs GS when Ben Wallace's #3 jersey is retired. pic.twitter.com/ZOQ7WdE6cs
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) January 15, 2016
The Stance socks might not be the most attractive, but the tribute is a pretty cool idea. This just goes to show how much Wallace meant to the Pistons organization and how he turned it into a perennial power in the NBA during his time in Detroit.
Not many players in NBA history would probably be remembered quite as much without ever having averaged over 10 points per game in any season during his 16-year career. In fact, he averaged only 5.7 points per game, but was thought of as one of the greatest centers of the 21st century despite standing only 6-foot-9.
The former Virginia Union star went undrafted in 1996 but then earned a spot on the Washington Bullets for three years before earning a role with the Orlando Magic for a season. Little did he, or anyone else for that matter, know he would turn into a superstar defender with the Detroit Pistons — the franchise which will always be considered his favorite/home.
Wallace played six seasons with Detroit, getting named to four NBA All-Star teams, winning four NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards, being named to five NBA All-Defensive First-Teams and winning an NBA title in 2003-04.
The Pistons are looking to get back to their winning ways as a franchise with Stan Van Gundy as head coach and this is the best season Detroit has had since 2009 — the season in which Joe Dumars traded Chauncey Billups.
While Detroit might not be completely “back” just yet, it’s still a step up from previous pitiful seasons finishing out of playoff positioning.
Beating the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at home while wearing the Ben Wallace socks on his jersey retirement night would be a heck of a stylish wake-up call to the rest of the NBA.