Why Ben Wallace impacts Draymond Green’s chances at Hall of Fame

Blessed with the heart of a lion and a brain crafted by the wizard himself, Draymond Green has a résumé that may end up longer than the yellow brick road. But is he, as coach Steve Kerr says, really bound for a trip to the NBA’s Emerald City when he hangs his Nikes up?

With their fourth straight Western Conference Finals berth around the corner, the battle-tested Golden State Warriors continue to make beautiful music together. And according to Kerr after the team eliminated the New Orleans Pelicans in five games on Tuesday, they have their conductor, Mr. Green, to thank for that. Listen carefully:

You can blame it on the Gatorade all you want, but it’s clear that Kerr meticulously crafted his comments about the Michigan State alum. Kerr calling Green the “perfect modern-day NBA big” puts the man’s skills even more on display for the world to see, and consequently dissect.

At first glance, Draymond’s career averages of 9.3 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game and 4.6 assists per game don’t scream, “Show me the money.” If we’re being honest, Green will probably hover around those numbers for the rest of his career because of his style of play but, according to Green, the only thing he cares about is doing what he’s asked better than anyone on the floor.

In a November 2017 SLAM article focusing on his rise, Green stated:

"It was mind-boggling to me because I came into the NBA as more of an offensive player…I didn’t really defend in college—I played great help-side defense, but that was about it. I can make a shot, but I’m not a shooter. I just had to figure out ways to incorporate myself more within the offense and do more to create more value."

With that being said, these facts are only part of what will eventually make Green’s case for the Hall of Fame compelling. Another part, in this writer’s estimation, lies within the trophy case of one of Green’s idols: Detroit Pistons’ legend Ben Wallace.

In fact, according to Basketball Reference, there are 157 players ahead of Green on the Hall of Fame probability list and clocking in at number 117 is the former Detroit center.

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We don’t need to revisit Wallace’s accomplishments (you can click here for that), but it’s well-known how much of a beast this man was on the defensive end. While Green isn’t at Big Ben’s level yet, the comparison between the two has been made before by not only Kerr but also assistant coach Mike Brown, who has spent time coaching both players:

In the aforementioned SLAM article, Draymond, a Detroit native, speaks candidly about how Wallace impacted his life while the four-time Defensive Player of the Year discussed mentoring a young Green and his thoughts on him as a player.

“I remember days wearing that afro thinking I was Ben Wallace. He was locking the entire NBA up. Even Shaq,” said Green. “We both got it out the mud…nobody gave us a shot in hell.”

Wallace went on to say:

"“I see huge similarities between the two of us,”….“From a kid at 10 years old, he would ask me, ‘What do I need to do to improve my game?’ He’s one of those guys that never stops studying the game. He’s always looking for knowledge. A true student of the game.”"

Is that high praise or what? Wallace’s comments represent a sort of passing the torch moment between the two undersized forces, much like when he presented Green with his first DPOY award earlier this season.

However, when comparing their numbers, one can’t help but think that looking at Wallace could be a glimpse into Green’s future. The 16-year vet holds career averages of 5.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 2 blocks per game but the former NBA champ was snubbed from the Hall of Fame in 2017, a choice he naturally feels was incorrect.

Assuming that Wallace will one day get into the Hall is almost a no-brainer, but what if he doesn’t? Might Green find himself in the same position as his mentor one day?

Of the 124 NBA players inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, only nine got the call without averaging 10 or more PPG. Those magnificent nine? Andy Phillip (in 1961), Slater Martin (in 1982), Al Cervi (in 1985), Bob Houbregs (in 1987), K.C. Jones (in 1989), Dick McGuire (in 1993), Buddy Jeanette (in 1994), Dennis Rodman (in 2011) and Dikembe Mutombo (in 2015).

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Now, it could just be the millennial in me talking but it’s safe to say that Green’s “amazing defense” and “incredible basketball intellect” (Kerr’s words, not mine) would allow him to wax most of these aforementioned Hall of Famers.

Something else Green has in common with these guys is that of these players, four of them have rings (Philip [1], Martin [5], Jones [8], Rodman [5]) that they acquired thanks to their own versions of “super” teammates (George Mikan, Bob Petit, Bill Russell, Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan). #SuperstarsWinChampionships, am I right?

The number of points a player scores per game isn’t the only criteria that helps the Hall of Fame decide who the greats are, but in a sport where offense is what headlines highlight reels it makes sense why such a small number of “non-traditional scorers” are in.

Regardless of when Green decides to hang it up, winning multiple championships and being a part of such a historic run may give him the edge to get selected on the first ballot.

Next: Draymond Green’s Resurgence has been Key to the Warriors’ Success

Much like his mentor, Green is the heart and soul of his franchise. And if defense is what wins championships, who’s to say it won’t punch Draymond’s ticket into the Hall of Fame some day?