As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the
game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that
players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have
decided to defy those odds.
The Detroit Pistons entered the NBA in 1941 as the Fort Wayne
Pistons before moving to Detroit in 1957. The Pistons reached back-
to-back NBA Finals. Losing to the Syracuse Nationals and
Philadelphia Warriors. The first 20 years in Detroit were mostly
dormant. The franchise’s fortunes changed with the hiring of Chuck
Daley as head coach along with the drafting of Isiah Thomas, Joe
Dumars and Dennis Rodman. The trades to acquire Bill Laimbeer,
Rick Mahorn and Vinnie Johnson were also crucial.
The Pistons of that era were known as the “Bad Boys” because their
intimidating style of play was the NBA’s version of the Oakland
Raiders.
After falling short to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference
Finals (1987) and Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals (1988), the
Pistons won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990, defeating the
Lakers and Portland Trailblazers respectively.
Between 1992-2000, the Pistons endured another era of dormancy
before experiencing another rise from 2000-2008. The Pistons reached
back-to-back NBA Finals in 2004 and 2005, defeating the heavily
favored Lakers 4-1 and losing 4-3 to the San Antonio Spurs. Since
2008, the franchise has endured ownership changes and a lot of
rebuilding.
Today, I put together a Pistons Dream Team. There are some rigid criteria
in making this team. First of all, the player needed to have played for the
Pistons for a minimum of four seasons -- no exceptions. Since the free
agency era began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-
year rentals don’t make this list. This roster is all-encompassing from all
eras.
Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is
basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first
consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of All-
NBA seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going
to convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
For openers, 1989, 1990 and 2004 are not the only seasons the NBA
existed. Being on the Pistons during a season of being a championship
contender does not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on
the Pistons during a bad season is no deterrent to getting a spot on this
team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers get considered.
To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into positionless
basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players encompassing all eras.
The starting lineup will be position specific, after that it will be the best
of the rest with four years playing for the franchise being the first
requirement.
So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just
tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you would remove.
Before you make a case to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who
do I take off the list at that position?”
Starting lineup
Point guard: Isaiah Thomas
There is not a more iconic and influential player in franchise history than
Thomas. Though he is not mentioned among the game's all-time greats,
Thomas' impact on the Pistons franchise and the NBA is unmistakable.
The Pistons were known for harassing defense but Thomas and Joe
Dumars formed one of the best offensive backcourts in NBA history.
On the way to a Hall of Fame career, Thomas led the Pistons two
consecutive NBA championships and NBA Finals MVP in 1990. He
was a 12-time All-Star. He was also a two-time NBA All-Star game
MVP. Thomas was also five-time All NBA (three as a first-teamer). For
his career, all with the Pistons, Thomas averaged 19.2 points, 9.3 assists
per game.
Shooting guard: Joe Dumars
Dumars was the perfect sidekick with Thomas informing one of the best
backcourts in NBA history on the way to a Hall of Fame career. Dumars’
finest hour was in the 1989 NBA Finals when he averaged 27.3 points
per game on the way to earning NBA Finals MVP honors. Dumars was
versatile enough to play both point guard and shooting guard.
Dumars spent his entire career with the Pistons and helped them win
consecutive NBA championships. Dumars was a six-time All-Star. He
was also a four-time All NBA Defensive first team. Dumars also made
an immediate splash in earning NBA All Rookie first team honors in
1986.
Small forward: Grant Hill
Hill had a Hall of Fame career that could have been better if ankle
injuries did not beset him. Hill was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1994
NBA draft. Though he was a small forward by trade, Hill was an excellent
all-around player who could also play the game like a point guard.
Five of Hill's seven All Star appearances came as a Piston. He was five-time
All NBA (one as a first-teamer). Hill was also the NBA co-Rookie of the
Year in 1994 along with Chris Webber and NBA All Rookie first team. He
was the three-time NBA Sportsmanship Award winner. In a Pistons uniform,
Hill averaged 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.
Power forward: Dennis Rodman
Rodman was nicknamed “The Worm” and also one of the best defensive
players in NBA history and perhaps the best rebounder ever. Rodman was
one of the faces of the Pistons during the “Bad Boys” era that helped deliver
two NBA championships. Besides his statistical impact, Rodman was an
irritant for opponents.
Both of Rodman's All-Star appearances came with the Pistons. He was also
a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, both also with the Pistons.
For his career, Rodman was a seven-time NBA All Defensive first-team
selection and was the NBA rebounding champion seven times on the way
to a Hall of Fame career. In a Pistons uniform, Rodman averaged 8.8 points
and 11.5 rebounds per game.
Center: Bob Lanier
Though team success was elusive during Lanier's time with the Pistons, he
is undoubtedly the starter on this team. The Pistons made the postseason just
four times and won just one series. Lanier's frequent knee injuries kept him
from having an even better career but he still had a Hall of Fame career.
Seven of Lanier's eight All-Star Seasons came with the Pistons. He was also
NBA All-Star MVP in 1974 and NBA All Rookie first team in 1971. Lanier's
jersey number is retired by both the Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, for whom
he later played. During his career with the Pistons, Lanier averaged 22.7
points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals.
Bench (alphabetical order)
Chauncey Billups:
Billups was well-traveled and playing for seven different NBA teams but his
most impactful set of years were his eight seasons with the Pistons. He led
Detroit to the Eastern Conference's best record in 2002 and back-to-back
NBA Finals appearances in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, he led the Pistons to
an NBA Finals upset victory over the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers.
Three of Billups’ All-Star Seasons came with the Pistons. While playing
for Detroit, Billups averaged 16.5 points and 6.2 assists per game.
Dave Bing:
Bing played nine of his 12 NBA Seasons with the Pistons on the way to a
Hall of Fame career. Six of his seven career All Star seasons also came as a
member of the Pistons. Then was also three-time All NBA (two as a first-
teamer) and was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1967. Bing was also the NBA
scoring champion in 1968. During his time with the Pistons, Bing played
both shooting guard and point guard averaging 22.6 points per game and
6.4 assists per contest.
Andre Drummond:
Drummond is now a Cleveland Cavalier but spent eight highly productive
seasons with the Pistons. Drummond had four seasons where he scored at
least 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 1,000 blocked shots and 100 steals,
the most in NBA history since steals and blocked shots were recorded in
1973-74. Drummond is also one of two players along with Charles Barkley
and George McGinnis to record at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in a
game. Drummond was a two-time All-Star with the Pistons and averaged
14.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game.
Larry Foust:
This selection is like taking a step back in time because Foust's career with
the Pistons predates the Detroit years. He played eight seasons with the Fort
Wayne Pistons before the franchise moved to Detroit. Six of his eight All-
Star seasons were with the Pistons. He was also the NBA's leading rebounder
in 1952. Foust used his size and strength to stifle opponents. During his time
with the Pistons, Foust averaged 15.0 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
Richard Hamilton:
Hamilton played 14 seasons in the NBA but his nine with the Pistons are
what defines him the most. Hamilton was a solid defensive player and scorer.
He helped the Pistons two consecutive NBA Finals appearances, including an
upset victory over the Lakers in 2004. Hamilton was a three-time All-Star
and had his jersey retired with the Pistons. During his time in Detroit,
Hamilton averaged 18.4 points and 3.4 assists per game.
Vinnie Johnson:
Johnson was nicknamed “The Microwave” for his ability to score a lot of points
in a short period of time. Johnson was also versatile in that he could play point
guard and shooting guard. When the Pistons went to three guard lineups with
Thomas, Dumars and Johnson, it was a solid scoring unit to go along with
their stifling defense. Johnson, whose jersey is retired with the Pistons, never
earned any All Star recognition but was vital to the franchise winning two of
their three NBA championships.
Bill Laimbeer:
Laimbeer was liked by teammates and loathed by opponents. Though other
players were more skilled, Laimbeer was one of the original “Bad Boys” who
brought a physical brand of defense and on offense was one of the best
shooting big men of his era. Laimbeer was a four-time All-Star and helped
the Pistons win back-to-back NBA championships. During his time with the
Pistons, Laimbeer averaged 13.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game and had
his jersey retired by the franchise.
Tayshaun Prince:
Prince was an underrated but important cog in the Pistons mid-2000s success
that included consecutive trips to the NBA Finals including the aforementioned
2004 victory. Prince was a very solid defender as evidenced by being four-time
NBA All Defense. During his 10 seasons with the Pistons, Prince averaged
12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.
Ben Wallace:
Wallace is one of the best defensive players and undrafted ones in NBA history.
Wallace remains the Pistons all-time leader in career blocked shots. Wallace was
a very vital cog in the Pistons mid-2000s success that included consecutive
trips to the NBA finals including a 2004 championship. All four of his All-
Star appearances came in a Pistons uniform. He is also a four-time NBA
Defensive Player of the Year, a record he shares with Dikembe Mutombo.
Wallace, who had his jersey retired by the Pistons, averaged 6.6 points, 11.1
rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots per game.
Rasheed Wallace:
Though he was more statistically prolific during his years as a Portland
Trailblazer, Wallace also had six impactful Seasons with the Pistons including
helping them to two consecutive NBA Finals appearances in the 2000s
including the aforementioned 2004 Championship. Two of Wallace's All-Star
appearances came with the Pistons. During his time in Detroit, Wallace
averaged 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Head coach: Chuck Daly
Very easy choice and it's really not even remotely debatable. On the way to
a Hall of Fame career, Daly led the Pistons to 467 victories and two NBA
championships back-to-back in 1989 and 1990. Daly's biggest strength was
managing the strong personalities that those Pistons teams had. In Daly's
nine seasons, the Pistons averaged 52 wins per season and never won fewer
than 46. Before his arrival, the Pistons never had back-to-back winning
seasons. The Pistons reached the playoffs every season during Daly’s
tenure (1983-1992).
Team: 1988-1989
Though a case could be made for any of the three Pistons teams the one
NBA championships, this one gets the nod. Buoyed by losing to the
Lakers in seven games the previous year in the NBA finals, this Pistons
team played with a hard edge throughout the entire season and nothing
was going to stop them. The Pistons of this ilk were known for their
rugged defense but they also had one of the best backcourts in NBA
history. The Pistons came back the next season and ran roughshod through
the NBA and swept the Lakers the following year in the finals. Granted,
that Laker team had become depleted with injuries but with this Pistons
team being so determined to win the championship perhaps they still win.
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