Detroit’s Ben Wallace Named 2004-05 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

With this honor, Wallace joins Dikembe Mutombo (1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2000-01), as the only players in NBA history to win this award on three or more occasions.

This season, Wallace became only the fourth player in NBA history (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon six times and Tim Duncan five times) to average 12-plus rebounds and two-plus blocks for five consecutive seasons. He also joined an elite class this season becoming the fifth player (Olajuwon (12), Julius Erving, Sam Lacey and David Robinson all with seven) in NBA history to record 100 blocks and 100 steals in five consecutive seasons.

Wallace received 339 points, including 45 first-place votes, from a panel of 125 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received. San Antonio’s Bruce Bowen finished second with 247 points and Denver’s Marcus Camby finished third with 168 points.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year finished the 2004-05 NBA regular season with averages of a career-high 9.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, a career-high 2.1 assists, 1.43 steals and 2.38 blocks in 36.1 minutes per game. He finished the season as the only NBA player ranked in the top five in blocks and steals.

Below are the 2004-05 results and the league’s all-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award winners: