"To a player of Ben Wallace's stature, the exhibition season is a mundane exercise he'd rather not go through.

But in the Pistons' 98-92 victory over the Wizards at the Huntington Center on Tuesday night, he produced a "teaching moment" to his newest pupil, rookie Greg Monroe.

Wallace had four points, 11 rebounds and four steals, including two against the No. 1 pick in June's draft, John Wall.

Playing against the Wizards' young frontline of Andray Blatche, Javale McGee and Al Thornton, he had more than a "turn back the clock" game. Giving up inches, pounds and years, he hung with the young legs, relying on his relentless motor.

"I can definitely out-think them," Wallace said. "I can tell from where the shots are taken, where the rebounds are going to be."

He scoffed at the notion he's in midseason form, though."