Ben Wallace vs Dwight Howard

[Ikill]

who was the better defender

[Clippersfan86]

Wallace no question. Equal shot blocker and protector of the rim but much better man defender who played the passing lanes and could guard 2-5 effectively, where as Howard is limited to 5's and SOME 4's. Ben Wallace averaged 3+ blocks, 2+ steals and could guard any position besides PG.

[Clippersfan86]

Im no saying anything... but keep in mind that Wallace could focus solely on Defense.... Imagine Howard forgetting his offensive duties and focusing on grabbing boards and blocking shots.

I agree that Howard is better overall and agree that if he wasn't a 20 ppg scorer things may change but the OP's question is who the better defender is and it's Wallace without question.

[b1imtf]

Wallace

[jjayfive]

dwight... ben had wallace and prince... dwight was also primary offense..

[LA Lakers]

Hold up Clippersfan86, Howard cant guard 2-5 effectively? Come on now...

[Clippersfan86]

Hold up Clippersfan86, Howard cant guard 2-5 effectively? Come on now...

Nope. You ever watch Ben Wallace in his prime? No issue shifting out to the perimeter and guarding a wing. Never seen Howard do that as well or nearly as often. There is nothing Howard is better at defensively, period.

Man defense= Wallace
Rim defense= Wallace
Passing lanes/off ball defense= Wallace
Help defense= Wallace
Defensive rebound= equal

Next to Pippen and Rodman I think Wallace is the least flawed, most complete and versatile defender of all time. Have you seen Howard effectively guard prime Kobe for possessions? Because I've seen Ben Wallace do that.

[Clippersfan86]

Well, if that is the case... then there is no much to talk about... Wallace..

You have a good point though as to WHY Wallace was so great. I agree that the fact that he didn't even have to worry about scoring made it much easier to expend that much effort and energy on the defensive end where as Dwight has to carry a much bigger overall load. Which is why in general Dwight>>>>Wallace but defensively Wallace>>>>Dwight.


Another thing is I don't know if I've seen a better player in NBA history at controlling the blocked shot. Watch his blocked shots and you'll see the usually go to a teammate. Far more intelligent and higher IQ than people knew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzXzMW27MBg

An interesting comment on this video.

"1st player in NBA history to get 1000 reb 150 blocks & 100 steals in four straight seasons..4 time dpoty...champion..1st undrafted player to start in the all star game & most games played by an undrafted player"

I knew most of this but damn that's impressive.

Here are two clips of Ben's man D with the steal and fastbreak finish. Sad thing is Ben's prime was before the Youtube age so a lot of things are very hard to find.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXVylfVraBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFSHz86ZtM

[SHAQisGOAT]

Big Ben

[Rake2204]

Here are two clips of Ben's man D with the steal and fastbreak finish. Sad thing is Ben's prime was before the Youtube age so a lot of things are very hard to find.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXVylfVraBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFSHz86ZtM

On the topic of Ben Wallace defense leading to instant offense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyTRToRIGBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5LJ6o9lO0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3guuPba-I0

The essence of Ben Wallace as a player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJGF333658g

It's hard to sit here and say flatly that Ben Wallace was a better defender than Dwight Howard is, but that's my first instinct. It seemed as if Ben Wallace had every wrinkle of defense accounted for. Yes, he blocked shots, rebounded and picked pockets, but he also hedged screens wonderfully, drew charges, and bruised with players much larger than he.

[Clippersfan86]

On the topic of Ben Wallace defense leading to instant offense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyTRToRIGBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5LJ6o9lO0

The essence of Ben Wallace as a player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJGF333658g

Thank you! So hard to find Wallace clips outside of the blocks and dunks . These blocks show exactly what I mentioned earlier. Sure dude would spike a shot out of bounds a lot of times but he was the GOAT at controlling the block right into the hands of a teammate. I think he talked about how that was a learned skill in an interview at some point.

[KyrieTheFuture]

Big Ben Wallace

[Clippersfan86]

On the topic of Ben Wallace defense leading to instant offense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyTRToRIGBM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5LJ6o9lO0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3guuPba-I0

The essence of Ben Wallace as a player: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJGF333658g

It's hard to sit here and say flatly that Ben Wallace was a better defender that Dwight Howard is, but that's my first instinct. It seemed as if Ben Wallace had every wrinkle of defense accounted for. Yes, he blocked shots, rebounded and picked pockets, but he also hedged screens wonderfully, drew charges, and bruised with players much larger than he.

You're too modest. Ben was better than Dwight at his own biggest strength which was protecting the rim (blocks, altering shots, intimidation) and on TOP of that he was a more versatile defender, better man defender and equal defensive rebounder. Also as you said he was elite at taking charges too and unlike Dwight didn't have superior physical tools. Sure he was a freak specimen with his wingspan and strength but didn't have it as easy as Dwight.

[Dbrog]

I think Ben was the more consistent defender and it has to do with his defensive IQ. He was just plain smarter. Not many stupid frustration fouls or things of the sort and knew how to use his body better (although his timings on rebounds weren't quite as good as Dwight). I love Ben and think he should've been FMVP over Chauncey.

However, Dwight simply affects the game more than Ben ever did so idk who was the better overall defender. I think at times Dwight is better but if you measure by consistency, Ben's got him.

[Clippersfan86]

I think Ben was the more consistent defender and it has to do with his defensive IQ. He was just plain smarter. Not many stupid frustration fouls or things of the sort and knew how to use his body better (although his timings on rebounds weren't quite as good as Dwight). I love Ben and think he should've been FMVP over Chauncey.

However, Dwight simply affects the game more than Ben ever did. So idk who was the better overall defender. I think at times Dwight is better but if you measure by consistency, Ben's got him.

The topic is purely defense, nothing else. You'll be hard pressed to convince anybody who watched both players in their prime (I have) that Dwight has more impact on a defense. I agree with your first paragraph.