Big Ben's punch instantly made him famous across the basketball world.
That night, major U.S. media outlets like ESPN, TNT, and ABC couldn't stop talking about him.
The highlight wasn't just the punch—it was why he threw it.
Ben Wallace's punch wasn't an act of random violence. It was a punch thrown in defense of his teammate and leader, Alex Mo.
"Roaring Tianzun" and "One-Hit Man"
In China, Big Ben was quickly given a nickname: "Roaring Tianzun", named after his fierce roar on the court.
In the U.S., he became known as "One-Hit Man"—a nod to his knockout punch.
"Every team needs a player like him," said an ESPN analyst. "Not just a great defender, but a bodyguard on the court."
He even compared Big Ben to Dennis Rodman, who was known for protecting Michael Jordan during their time together on the Chicago Bulls.
"Rodman wasn't just a rebounder—he was also Jordan's enforcer. Big Ben is now doing the same for Alex Mo and Allen Iverson."
David Stern's Dilemma
NBA Commissioner David Stern found himself in an unusual position. Normally, on-court violence was punished severely.
But this was different.
If Rasheed Wallace's dirty play had injured Alex Mo, it would have hurt the NBA's image in China, where Alex was a rising star and a cultural icon.
Big Ben's punch may have broken the rules, but it also protected the league's future.
The Punishment
At an emergency meeting, the NBA management debated the penalties.
Alex Mo: No punishment—he was clearly the victim.Rasheed Wallace: A one-game suspension and a $10,000 fine for his dirty play.Big Ben Wallace: A three-game suspension and a $50,000 fine for throwing the punch.
Big Ben got off light compared to the usual punishment for such incidents. Normally, a player would be suspended for at least five games.
Why only three?
The answer was simple: Alex Mo's influence.
"We have to protect Alex Mo," Stern explained. "He's the bridge between the NBA and Chinese fans."
Fan Reactions
The announcement caused a stir among fans.
Some debated whether Rasheed's punishment was too lenient, but almost everyone agreed on one thing: Big Ben did the right thing.
"You don't mess with Alex Mo!" became a rallying cry for fans.
Even in Minnesota, Kevin Garnett paid close attention to the news.
"Only three games?" KG muttered. "I thought it'd be at least five."
Then, he checked the schedule.
"WTF?!" Garnett shouted. "His first game back is against us?!"
The Timberwolves' next game after Big Ben's suspension would be against the Lakers. KG was about to face the One-Hit Man himself.
"Oh no… this is bad," Garnett thought.
Jerry West's Approval
Back in Los Angeles, Big Ben sat nervously in Jerry West's office, waiting for a lecture.
But the first words out of West's mouth surprised him:
"Next time, do the same thing, Ben."
Big Ben blinked. "Wait… what?"
"If anyone touches Alex or Allen, you step up. Every time," West said firmly. "We've got your back."
Big Ben grinned. "I won't let you down, Mr. West. If anyone dares to mess with them, I'll make sure they hit the floor before Alex or Allen does!"
Player of the Week Announcement
On November 11, the NBA finally announced the Player of the Week for the first week of the new season.
The competition was fierce:
Michael Jordan had led the Chicago Bulls to a 5–0 start, scoring 50 points in a dominant performance against the Miami Heat.Hakeem Olajuwon had been equally impressive, averaging 32.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.8 blocks, helping the Houston Rockets to a perfect 6–0 record.
Then there was Alex Mo.
In his first five games, Alex had faced some of the toughest opponents in the league:
Dikembe Mutombo – He scored 24 points on 100% shooting in a single quarter.Vin Baker outplayed the All-Star power forward.Rasheed Wallace and Sabonis – Dominated the "Shark Busters" inside the paint.
Alex led the Lakers to a 5–0 record while averaging 40+ points in three of those games.
Beating Out Jordan and Olajuwon
In the end, the NBA awarded Alex Mo the Player of the Week.
He wasn't just the best rookie of the week—he was the best player in the entire league, beating out both Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.
The media exploded with headlines:
"The First Chinese Player of the Week in NBA History!""The First Rookie to Win Player of the Week Since Shaquille O'Neal!""Is Alex Mo the Greatest Rookie in NBA History?"
Becoming Player of the Week wasn't just an honor—it was a statement.
Alex Mo wasn't just a promising rookie.
He was already one of the best players in the league.