Ben Wallace is battle-tested and has a ring to prove it. His defense and intangibles might be the missing ingredient that the Cavs need to make a return visit to the NBA finals. Wednesday in New York, Randy Zellea of InsideHoops.com caught up with Wallace at Madison Square Garden and discussed playing with Lebron, the teams play in the first half of the year, being traded and his favorite WWE Wrestler.

InsideHoops.com: How do you feel about the way the Cavs have played in the first half of the season? You're off to a great start.

Ben Wallace: We added a few new guys that were adjusting to a new system and fit in with us. After the first couple games we were able to get into a nice rhythm, and we are trying to keep that going. I think we are doing a good job so far and we hope to keep this pace.

InsideHoops.com: Has it been an adjustment moving over to the power forward position playing alongside Zydrunas Ilgauskas?

Ben Wallace: When Z is out on the floor it is a good thing for everybody because he forces guys to come out and guard him, which opens up so many different aspects of the game for us. That makes the game a little bit easier. He makes it easier to spread the floor and that opens up opportunities for us to get easier rebounds, better cuts, and enables us to set better screens, which leads to better scoring opportunities.

InsideHoops.com: What's it like playing with LeBron James?

Ben Wallace: Almost the same thing as playing with Z, he makes the game a lot easier to play. LeBron puts enough pressure on the opposing defense and then you have to know where he is at all time. So it makes it easier for everyone to do their job. He is one of those guys who really enjoys the game of basketball, and he is starting to realize all the different things he can do on... He is an all-around player, makes my job easier and I love playing with him.

InsideHoops.com: You were traded to the Cavs at the trade deadline last season; can you explain to fans and readers what it's like to be traded mid-season?

Ben Wallace: I think that’s boring to the fans, with what we go through on a daily basis. They really don’t care what we go through. They just want to show up to the game and watch us play. It is tough to be traded from one team to the next. The things you have to do everyday to prepare to step on the floor including lifting weights, extra shots, extra running, extra time on the bike, get treatment etc. That is really not important to the fans. They just want to see us on the court.

InsideHoops.com: I heard you were a big pro wrestling fan. Is that true?

Ben Wallace: I am a huge WWE fan. I was a big fan of the Rock; Stone Cold was my man as well. John Cena is a favorite of mine. I still love watching wrestling when I can because it’s fun.