Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a National Basketball Association team based in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan.

Founded: 1941 as Ft. Wayne Zollner Pistons in National Basketball League, joined National Basketball Association in 1948. Relocated to Detroit in 1957.

Formerly known as: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1941-48), Fort Wayne Pistons (1948-57)

Home Arena: The Palace of Auburn Hills

Uniform colors: Red, white and blue

Logo design: A basketball with "PISTONS" superimposed upon it.

NBL Championships: 1944, 1945 (in Fort Wayne)

NBA Eastern Division Championships: 1954, 1955 (in Fort Wayne)

NBA Central Division Championships: 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003

NBA Eastern Conference Championships: 1988, 1989, 1990, 2004

NBA Championships: 1989, 1990, 2004

Franchise history

The franchise was founded in 1941 in Fort Wayne, Indiana by Fred Zollner, owner of a company that manufactured pistons for General Motors. It is the oldest existing franchise in the NBA. Led by star forward George Yardley, the Fort Wayne Pistons were a popular franchise and appeared in the NBA Finals in 1954 and 1955, losing both times. In 1957, Zollner moved the team to Detroit, a much larger city that did not have an NBA franchise; the Detroit Gems had folded after one season of existence. The new Detroit Pistons played in Olympia Stadium for their first four seasons, then moved to Cobo Arena. The franchise was a consistent disappointment, struggling on both the court and the box office. In 1974, Zollner sold the team to Bill Davidson, who remains the team's owner. Displeased with the team's location in downtown Detroit, Davidson moved it to the suburb of Pontiac in 1978, where it played in the mammoth Silverdome, a structure built for pro football.

The franchise's fortunes finally began to turn in 1981, when it drafted point guard Isiah Thomas out of Indiana University. In early 1982, it acquired center Bill Laimbeer and guard Vinnie Johnson. The three, along with later aquisitions Joe Dumars, Rick Mahorn, and Dennis Rodman, formed the core of a team that would rise to the top of the league. Coach Chuck Daly took the team to the NBA Finals three consecutive years (1988-90) and won NBA championships in 1989 and 1990. The team moved into the lavish Palace of Auburn Hills in 1988 and remains there today.

The franchise went through a lengthy transitional period as its key players either retired or left. Under the leadership of Dumars, who re-emerged as the team president, the Pistons have rebuilt their team to include rising stars Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, and recently, Rasheed Wallace. Coached by Hall of Fame inductee Larry Brown, the Pistons have returned to prominence, winning the 2004 NBA Championship.

Current Roster

Starters
Position - Name - How acquired

• PG - Chauncey Billups - Signed as a FA, 2002 offseason
• SG - Richard Hamilton - Trade with Washington Wizards, 2002 offseason
• SF - Tayshaun Prince - Drafted 23 overall, 2002 NBA draft
• PF - Rasheed Wallace - Trade with Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, mid 2003-2004 season.
• C - Ben Wallace - Trade with Orlando Magic, 2000 offseason

Bench

• PG - Lindsay Hunter - Trade with Toronto Raptors, 2003 offseason, resigned 2004.
• PG - Horace Jenkins - Signed as an undrafted rookie, 2004 offseason
• SG - Carlos Delfino - Drafted 25 overall, 2003 NBA draft, Signed 2004 offseason
• SF - Ronald Dupree - Signed as a FA, 2004 offseason
• SF - Darvin Ham - Signed as a FA, 2003 offseason, resigned 2004
• PF - Antonio McDyess - Signed as a FA, 2004 offseason
• PF - Derrick Coleman - Trade with Philadelphia 76ers, 2004 offseason
• C - Elden Campbell - Signed as a FA, 2003 offseason
• C - Darko Milicic - Drafted 2 overall, 2003 NBA draft

Players of note

Basketball Hall of Famers:

• Dave Bing
• Bob Lanier
• Earl Lloyd (inducted as a contributor, not as a player or coach)
• Isiah Thomas
• Chuck Daly (Inducted as Coach)

Not to be forgotten:

• Adrian Dantley
• Grant Hill
• Rick Mahorn
• Dennis Rodman
• John Salley
• Jerry Stackhouse
• Joe Dumars

Retired numbers:

• 2 Chuck Daly (never played in the NBA; represents the two championships he won as Pistons coach)
• 4 Joe Dumars
• 11 Isiah Thomas
• 15 Vinnie Johnson
• 16 Bob Lanier
• 21 Dave Bing
• 40 Bill Laimbeer

Coaches and others

Basketball Hall of Famers:

• Larry Brown
• Chuck Daly
• Earl Lloyd (inducted as a contributor, not as a player or coach)

External links

• Detroit Pistons official web site (http://www.nba.com/pistons/)
• Official Detroit Pistons Summer Pro League web site (http://www.summerproleague.com/)

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