Detroit Pistons - wikipedia Detroit Pistons Detroit Pistons 2017 -- 18 Detroit Pistons season Conference Eastern Division Central Founded 1941 History Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons ( NBL ) 1941 -- 1948 Fort Wayne Pistons ( BAA ) 1948 -- 1949 Fort Wayne Pistons ( NBA ) 1949 -- 1957 Detroit Pistons 1957 -- present Arena Little Caesars Arena Location Detroit, Michigan Team colors Royal blue, red, chrome, navy blue, white President Stan Van Gundy General manager Jeff Bower Head coach Stan Van Gundy Ownership Tom Gores Affiliation ( s ) Grand Rapids Drive Championships 3 ( 1989, 1990, 2004 ) Conference titles 7 Western : 2 ( 1955, 1956 ) Eastern : 5 ( 1988, 1989, 1990, 2004, 2005 ) Division titles 9 ( 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 ) Retired numbers 11 ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 15, 16, 21, 32, 40 ) Website www.nba.com/pistons Uniforms Home Away The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) as a member club of the league 's Eastern Conference Central Division. The team plays its home games at Little Caesars Arena and was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne ( Zollner ) Pistons in 1941, a member of the National Basketball League ( NBL ). The Pistons joined the Basketball Association of America ( BAA ) in 1948. In 1949, the NBL and BAA merged to become the NBA, and the Pistons became part of the merged league. Since moving to Detroit in 1957, the Pistons have won three NBA championships in 1989, 1990 and 2004. Contents 1 Franchise history 1.1 1941 -- 1957 : The Fort Wayne ( Zollner ) Pistons 1.2 1957 -- 1979 : Decades of struggle 1.3 1980 -- 1994 : The Bad Boys era 1.4 1994 -- 2000 : The Grant Hill era 1.5 2000 -- 2008 : Goin ' to Work era 1.5. 1 2000 -- 2002 : Building a contender 1.5. 2 2003 -- 2008 : Six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals 1.6 2008 -- 2011 : Failed express rebuilding 1.7 2011 -- 2015 : New ownership ; more struggling 1.8 2015 -- 2016 : Return to the playoffs 1.9 2017 : Move back to downtown Detroit 2 Media coverage 2.1 Radio 2.2 TV 3 Uniforms 4 Mascots 5 Season - by - season records 6 Home arenas 7 Players 7.1 Current roster 7.2 Retained draft rights 7.3 Retired numbers 7.4 Basketball Hall of Fame members 8 Head coaches 9 General managers 10 Individual records and awards 10.1 Franchise leaders 10.2 Individual awards 10.3 NBA All - Star Weekend 11 Rivalries 11.1 Chicago Bulls 11.2 Boston Celtics 11.3 Los Angeles Lakers 12 References 13 Further reading 14 External links Franchise history 1941 -- 1957 : the Fort Wayne ( Zollner ) Pistons The Detroit Pistons franchise was founded as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, a National Basketball League ( NBL ) team, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Owner Fred Zollner 's Zollner Corporation was a foundry that manufactured pistons, primarily for car, truck, and locomotive engines. The Zollner Pistons were NBL champions in 1944 and 1945. They also won the World Professional Basketball Tournament in 1944, 1945 and 1946. In 1948, the team became the Fort Wayne Pistons, competing in the Basketball Association of America ( BAA ). In 1949, Fred Zollner brokered the formation of the National Basketball Association from the BAA and the NBL at his kitchen table. There are suggestions that Pistons players conspired with gamblers to shave points and throw various games during the 1953 -- 54 and 1954 -- 55 seasons. In particular, there are accusations that the team may have intentionally lost the 1955 NBA Finals to the Syracuse Nationals. In the decisive Game 7, the Pistons led Syracuse 41 -- 24 early in the second quarter, then the Nationals rallied to win the game. Syracuse won on a free throw by George King with twelve seconds left in the game. The closing moments included a palming turnover by the Pistons ' George Yardley with 18 seconds left, a foul by Frank Brian with 12 seconds left that enabled King 's winning free throw, and a turnover by the Pistons ' Andy Phillip with three seconds left which cost Fort Wayne a chance to attempt the game - winning shot. 1957 -- 1979 : decades of struggle Dave Bing joined the team in 1966, where in his rookie year he scored 1,601 points. Detroit Pistons logo 1957 -- 1971. Detroit Pistons logo 1975 -- 1979. Though the Pistons enjoyed a solid local following, Fort Wayne 's small size made it difficult for them to be profitable, especially as other early NBA teams based in smaller cities started folding or relocating to larger markets. After the 1956 -- 57 season, Zollner decided that Fort Wayne was too small to support an NBA team and announced the team would be playing elsewhere in the coming season. He ultimately settled on Detroit. Although it was the fifth largest city in the United States at the time, Detroit had not seen professional basketball in a decade. They lost the Detroit Eagles due to World War II, both the Detroit Gems of the NBL ( whose remnants became the Minneapolis Lakers ) and the Detroit Falcons of the BAA in 1947, and the Detroit Vagabond Kings in 1949. Zollner decided to keep the Pistons name, believing it made sense given Detroit 's status as the center of the automobile industry. The new Detroit Pistons played in Olympia Stadium ( home of the NHL 's Detroit Red Wings at the time ) for their first four seasons, then moved to Cobo Arena. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Pistons were characterized by very strong individuals and weak teams. Some of the superstars who played for the team included Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, and Bob Lanier. At one point, DeBusschere was the youngest player - coach in the history of the NBA. A trade during the 1968 -- 69 season sent DeBusschere to the New York Knicks for Howard Komives and Walt Bellamy, both of whom were in the later stages of their careers. DeBusschere became a key player in leading the Knicks to two NBA titles. In 1974, Zollner sold the team to glass magnate Bill Davidson, who remained the team 's principal owner until his death in 2009. While the Pistons did qualify for the postseason in four straight seasons from 1974 to 1977, they never advanced beyond the first round. In 1978, Davidson became displeased with Cobo Arena, but opted not to follow the Detroit Red Wings to the under - construction Joe Louis Arena. Instead, he moved the team to the suburb of Pontiac, where they played in the 82,000 capacity Silverdome, a structure built for professional football ( and the home of the Detroit Lions at the time ). 1980 -- 1994 : the Bad Boys era Detroit Pistons famous `` Bad Boys era '' logo 1979 -- 1996. The Pistons stumbled their way out of the 1970s and into the 1980s, beginning with a 16 -- 66 record in 1979 -- 80 and following up with a 21 -- 61 record in 1980 -- 81. The 1979 -- 80 team lost its last 14 games of the season which, when coupled with the seven losses at the start of the 1980 -- 81 season, comprised a then - NBA record losing streak of 21 games. The franchise 's fortunes finally began to turn in 1981, when they drafted point guard Isiah Thomas from Indiana University. In November 1981, the Pistons acquired Vinnie Johnson in a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics. They would later acquire center Bill Laimbeer in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in February 1982. Another key move by the Pistons was the hiring of head coach Chuck Daly in 1983. Initially, the Pistons had a tough time moving up the NBA ladder. In 1984, the Pistons lost a tough five - game series to the underdog New York Knicks, three games to two. In the 1985 playoffs, Detroit won its first - round series and faced the defending champion Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals. Though Boston would prevail in six games, Detroit 's surprise performance promised that a rivalry had begun. In the 1985 NBA draft, the team selected Joe Dumars 18th overall, a selection that would prove to be very wise. They also acquired Rick Mahorn in a trade with the Washington Bullets. However, the team took a step backwards, losing in the first round of the 1986 playoffs to the more athletic Atlanta Hawks. After the series, changes were made in order to make the team more defensive - minded. Prior to the 1986 -- 87 season, the Pistons acquired more key players : John Salley ( drafted 11th overall ), Dennis Rodman ( drafted 27th ) and Adrian Dantley ( acquired in a trade with the Utah Jazz ). The team adopted a physical, defense - oriented style of play, which eventually earned them the nickname `` Bad Boys ''. In 1987, the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics. After pushing the defending champions to a 2 -- 2 tie, the Pistons were on the verge of winning Game 5 at the Boston Garden with seconds remaining. After a Celtics ' turnover, Thomas attempted to quickly inbound the ball and missed Daly 's timeout signal from the bench. Larry Bird stole the inbound pass and passed it to Dennis Johnson for the game - winning layup. While the Pistons would win Game 6 in Detroit, they would lose the series in a tough Game 7 back in Boston. A ticket for Game 1 of the 1988 NBA Finals at The Forum. Motivated by their loss to the Celtics, the 1988 Pistons, aided by midseason acquisition James Edwards, improved to a then - franchise - record 54 victories and the franchise 's first division title in 32 years. In the postseason, the Pistons avenged their two previous playoff losses to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating them in six games and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since the franchise moved to Detroit. The Pistons ' first trip to the Finals in 32 years saw them face the Los Angeles Lakers, who were led by Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul - Jabbar. After taking a 3 -- 2 series lead back to Los Angeles, Detroit appeared poised to win their first NBA title in Game 6. In that game, Isiah Thomas scored an NBA Finals record 25 points in the third quarter while playing on a severely sprained ankle. However, the Lakers won the game, 103 -- 102, on a pair of last - second free throws by Abdul - Jabbar following a controversial foul called on Bill Laimbeer, referred to by many as a `` phantom foul ''. With Thomas unable to compete at full strength, the Pistons narrowly fell in Game 7, 108 -- 105. Chuck Daly, coach of the 1989 and 1990 NBA champions. Prior to the 1988 -- 89 season, the Pistons moved to Auburn Hills to play at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The 1989 Pistons completed the building of their roster by trading Dantley for Mark Aguirre, a trade that Piston fans would criticize heavily initially, but later praise. The team won 63 games, shattering their one - year - old franchise record, and steamrolled through the playoffs and into an NBA Finals rematch with the Lakers. This time the Pistons came out victorious in a four - game sweep to win their first NBA championship. Joe Dumars was named NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons successfully defended their title in 1990, despite losing Mahorn to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the expansion draft. After winning 59 games and a third straight division title, the Pistons cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs before playing a tough Eastern Conference Finals series against Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the Chicago Bulls. Facing each other for the third straight season, the Pistons and Bulls split the first six games before the Pistons finished the series with a decisive 93 -- 74 victory in Game 7. Advancing to their third consecutive NBA Finals, the Pistons faced the Portland Trail Blazers. After splitting the first two games at The Palace, the Pistons went to Portland, where they had not won a game since 1974, to play Games 3, 4 and 5. The Pistons summarily won all three games in Portland, becoming the first NBA team to sweep the middle three games on the road. The decisive game came down to the final second. Trailing 90 -- 83 with two minutes remaining, the Pistons rallied to tie the game, then took a 92 -- 90 lead when Vinnie Johnson sank an 15 - foot jumper with 00.7 seconds left in the game ; this shot earned Johnson a new nickname in Detroit, `` 007 '', to go with his original, `` The Microwave ''. Isiah Thomas was named NBA Finals MVP. The Pistons ' championship run came to an end in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, as the Pistons were swept by the eventual NBA champion Chicago Bulls, 4 games to 0. The most critical Piston injury belonged to Isiah Thomas who had suffered a wrist injury a few months prior to the NBA Playoffs. The Conference Finals is best remembered for the Pistons walking off court in the last game just before it ended, unwilling to shake hands with the Bulls. After the series, Michael Jordan said, `` The dirty play and the flagrant fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct, hopefully that will be eliminated from the game with them gone. I think people are happy the game will get back to a clean game. '' Following this, the franchise went through a transitional period, as key players were either waived ( Johnson in 1991 ), traded ( Edwards, Salley and Rodman ), or retired ( Laimbeer in 1993 and Thomas in 1994 ). 1994 -- 2000 : the Grant Hill era Following the 1993 -- 94 season, in which the Pistons ended up with a 20 -- 62 record, they were able to draft Grant Hill, a promising small forward, with the 3rd overall pick. However, this period also saw the team make numerous questionable personnel decisions, such as the loss of free agent Allan Houston to the New York Knicks, the signing of free agent wash - outs Loy Vaught and Bison Dele ; and head coaching changes from Ron Rothstein to Don Chaney to Doug Collins to Alvin Gentry to George Irvine in an eight - year span. Of these coaches, only Collins had any sort of success with the Pistons, winning 54 games in the 1996 -- 97 season. The franchise even changed its team colors in 1996 from its traditional red and blue to teal, burgundy, gold and black in what proved to be a highly unpopular move with fans. The only color that did not change was white. This period has become known, often derisively, as the `` teal era ''. 2000 -- 2008 : goin ' to work era 2000 -- 2002 : building a contender After being swept by the Miami Heat in the 2000 playoffs, Joe Dumars, who had retired following the 1998 -- 99 season, was hired as the team 's president of basketball operations. He quickly faced what appeared to be a setback for the franchise, as Grant Hill elected to leave the team for the Orlando Magic. However, Dumars managed to work a sign and trade with Orlando that brought the Pistons Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins in exchange for Hill. Both quickly entered the Pistons ' starting lineup, and Wallace would develop into a defensive stalwart in the coming years. Conversely, Hill would play only 47 games in the following three seasons due to a recurring ankle injury. The Pistons suffered through another tough season in 2000 -- 01, going 32 -- 50 despite Jerry Stackhouse averaging 29.8 points a game. After the season, Dumars fired Irvine and hired Rick Carlisle, a widely respected assistant coach who had been a contributor for the Celtics during the mid-1980s. The franchise also returned to its traditional red, white, and blue colors. Larry Brown coached the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title and the Eastern Conference championship the following season. Carlisle helped lead the Pistons to their first 50 - win season since 1997, and their first playoff series victory since 1991 by defeating the Toronto Raptors in five games. They would, however, lose to the Boston Celtics in five games. 2003 -- 2008 : six consecutive Eastern Conference Finals In the 2002 offseason, Dumars revamped the Pistons ' roster by signing free agent Chauncey Billups, acquiring Richard `` Rip '' Hamilton from the Washington Wizards, and by drafting Tayshaun Prince from Kentucky. The Pistons posted consecutive 50 - win seasons and advanced to the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals, for the first time since 1991. There, however, they were swept in four games by the New Jersey Nets. Despite the team 's improvement, Carlisle was fired in the 2003 offseason. There were believed to be five reasons for the firing : first, that Carlisle had appeared reluctant to play some of the team 's younger players, such as Prince and Mehmet Okur, during the regular season ; second, that some of the players had not gotten along with Carlisle ; third, that Carlisle 's offense was thought to be conservative ; fourth, that Hall of Famer Larry Brown had become available ; and finally fifth, that Carlisle was rumored to have alienated owner Bill Davidson with his personality. Brown accepted the job that summer. The starting five of the Pistons ' 2004 championship team. ( Left - to right : Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and Tayshaun Prince ). A game ticket from March 2006 between the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards. The Pistons are honored at the White House for the team 's victory in the 2004 NBA Finals. The Pistons ' transformation into a championship team was completed with the February 2004 acquisition of Rasheed Wallace. The Pistons now had another big man to pose a threat from all parts of the court. The Pistons finished the season 54 -- 28, recording their best record since 1997. In the 2004 playoffs, after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games, they defeated the defending Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets in seven games after coming back from a 3 -- 2 deficit. The Pistons then defeated the Pacers, coached by Carlisle, in six tough games to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1990. Many analysts gave the Pistons little chance to win against their opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers, who had won three out of the previous four NBA championships, and who fielded a star - studded lineup that included Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Gary Payton and Karl Malone. However, the Pistons won the series in dominating fashion, defeating Los Angeles in five games for the team 's third NBA championship. The Pistons posted double - digit wins in three of their four victories, and held the Lakers to a franchise - low 68 points in Game 3. Chauncey Billups was named NBA Finals MVP. With the win, Bill Davidson became the first owner to win both a NBA and NHL championship in the same year, as he had also won the Stanley Cup as owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite losing key members of their bench during the offseason ( including Okur, Mike James and Corliss Williamson ), the Pistons were considered a strong contender to win a second consecutive title in 2005. They won 54 games during the regular season, their fourth consecutive season of 50 or more wins. During the 2005 playoffs, they easily defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4 -- 1 and then rallied from a 2 -- 1 deficit to finish off the Indiana Pacers, 4 -- 2. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons faced the Miami Heat. Once again, the Pistons fell behind. However, they would ultimately win the series in seven games. In the NBA Finals, the Pistons faced the San Antonio Spurs. After both teams split the first four games of the series, the turning point came at the end of Game 5 in Detroit, which went into overtime. The Pistons were ahead 95 -- 93 when Robert Horry sank the game - winning three - point basket for the Spurs with 5.8 seconds left in the extra session. Detroit fought back to win Game 6 in San Antonio, setting up the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 1994. The Pistons then lost a hard - fought, low - scoring game to the Spurs, who won their third NBA championship since 1999. The Pistons ' 2004 -- 05 season was marked by a major controversy, as well as distracting issues involving Larry Brown. In the first month of the season, a Pacers -- Pistons brawl erupted, one of the largest fan - player incidents in the history of American sports. It resulted in heavy fines and suspensions for several players, and a great deal of NBA and media scrutiny. Meanwhile, Brown was forced to leave the team on two occasions due to health concerns. During this time, he became involved in a series of rumors linking him to other job openings. Concerned about Brown 's health, and angered over his alleged pursuit of other jobs during the season, the Pistons bought out his contract soon after the 2005 NBA Finals. Brown was promptly named head coach of the New York Knicks, while the Pistons hired Flip Saunders, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Alternate logo from 2005 to 2017. During the 2005 -- 06 season, the Pistons recorded the NBA 's best overall record. Their 37 -- 5 start exceeded the best start for any Detroit sports franchise in history and tied for the fourth - best start through 42 games in NBA history. Four of the five Pistons starters ( Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace ), were named to the All - Star team, and Flip Saunders served as the Eastern Conference All - Star team coach. The Pistons finished the regular season with a record of 64 -- 18, setting new franchise records for both overall and road victories ( 27 ). In addition, the team set an NBA record by starting the same lineup in 73 consecutive games from the start of the season. The top - seeded Pistons defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 4 -- 1 in the first round of the 2006 NBA Playoffs, but struggled in the second round against the Cleveland Cavaliers, falling behind 3 -- 2 before winning in seven games. Things did not improve against the second - seeded Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami defeated the Pistons in six games en route to the 2006 NBA championship. During the 2006 offseason, the Pistons offered Ben Wallace a four - year, $48 million contract, which would have made him the highest - paid Piston ever at the time. However, Wallace agreed to a 4 - year, $60 million contract with the Chicago Bulls. To replace Ben Wallace, the Pistons signed Nazr Mohammed. He struggled to fill the team 's void at center, however, and the team began looking for additional help. On January 16, 2007, the Pistons signed free agent Chris Webber. The Pistons quickly began playing better basketball. They were only 21 -- 15 before Webber was acquired ; with him, the team went 32 -- 14. On April 11, the Pistons clinched the best record in the Eastern Conference, which guaranteed them home - court advantage for first three rounds of the playoffs. The Pistons opened the 2007 NBA Playoffs with a 4 -- 0 victory over the Orlando Magic, their first playoff series sweep since 1990. The team advanced to face the Chicago Bulls, marking the first time that the Central Division rivals had met in the postseason since 1991. After winning the first two games by 26 and 21 points, the Pistons overcame a 19 - point deficit to win Game 3, 81 -- 74. Chicago avoided elimination by winning Games 4 and 5, but the Pistons closed out the series, 95 -- 85, in Game 6 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth consecutive season. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons faced the Cleveland Cavaliers. After both teams split the first four games of the series, the turning point happened in Game 5. The game is best remembered for LeBron James ' performance where he scored the Cavaliers ' final 29 of 30 points, including the team 's final 25 points, to help defeat the Pistons 109 -- 107 in double overtime. The Pistons never recovered as they were eliminated in Game 6, 98 -- 82. In the 2007 NBA draft, the Pistons selected Rodney Stuckey with the 15th overall pick and Arron Afflalo with the 27th overall pick. They also re-signed Chauncey Billups to a long - term contract, as well as re-signing top prospect Amir Johnson and key reserve Antonio McDyess. This season marked the 50th anniversary of the franchise in Detroit. At the start of the 2007 -- 08 season, Rasheed Wallace became the Pistons ' new center. Upon entering his third season, Saunders became the longest - tenured Pistons coach since Chuck Daly. Detroit finished the season with the second best record in the league at 59 -- 23. The Boston Celtics held the first seed, and many speculated that Boston was their main competition in the Eastern Conference. In the 2008 NBA Playoffs, Detroit started out poorly with a Game 1 loss to the seventh - seeded Philadelphia 76ers and found themselves in a 2 - games - to - 1 deficit. However, the Pistons rallied to defeat the Sixers in six games. In the semifinals, the Pistons faced the Orlando Magic. The Pistons rolled out to a Game 1 romp, and won a tight Game 2 amid mild controversy. At the very end of the third quarter, Chauncey Billups hit a three - point field goal that gave the Pistons a three - point lead. However, the clock had stopped shortly into the play. League rules currently prohibit officials from using both instant replay and a timing device to measure how much time has elapsed when a clock malfunctions, nor is a replay from the time of the malfunction onward allowed. The officials estimated that the play took 4.6 seconds, and since there were 5.1 seconds remaining when it began, the field goal was counted. The NBA later admitted that the play actually took 5.7 seconds and the basket should not have counted. In addition to losing Game 3 badly, 111 -- 86, the Pistons also lost all - star point guard and team leader Chauncey Billups to a hamstring injury. Despite his absence, the Pistons rallied from 15 down in the third quarter to win Game 4 90 -- 89, on a field goal by Tayshaun Prince with just 8.9 seconds to play, taking a 3 -- 1 series lead. Again with Billups sitting on the sideline, they then proceeded to win Game 5 in Detroit, winning the series 4 games to 1. Detroit advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the sixth straight season, squaring off against the Celtics. This put the Pistons second on the all - time list of most consecutive conference finals appearances, only behind the Los Angeles Lakers who appeared in eight straight conference finals from the 1981 -- 82 to 1988 -- 89 seasons. They lost Game 1 88 -- 79, but won in Game 2 on the road, 103 -- 97, marking the Celtics ' first home court loss in the postseason. Immediately following that, the Celtics won their first road game of the postseason, 94 -- 80, in Game 3. Game 4 saw the Pistons win 94 -- 75. In the pivotal Game 5, they lost 106 -- 102, despite rallying from 17 points down late in the game. In Game 6, the Pistons entered the fourth quarter leading 70 -- 60, but a lack of focus, a poor game from Rasheed Wallace, and a rally - killing turnover by Tayshaun Prince ultimately led to their demise ; the Pistons ended their season with an 89 -- 81 loss. After that, the Celtics went on to win the 2008 NBA Finals. On June 3, 2008, the Pistons announced that Flip Saunders would not return as head coach. 2008 -- 2011 : failed express rebuilding On June 10, 2008, the Pistons hired Michael Curry to be their new head coach. In November 2008, the Pistons traded key members Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. McDyess was later waived on November 10 and rejoined the Pistons on December 9. The trade was marked as a start of a new rebuilding process due to Iverson 's free agent status at the end of the season. The season was marked with many controversies and injuries. As a result of this, and poor play, the Pistons dropped down the standings, only clinching a playoff berth on April 10, 2009. The Pistons finished the season at 39 -- 43, securing their first losing season in eight years. The Pistons were then swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games in the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs. On June 30, 2009, Michael Curry was fired as head coach. Iverson would sign with the Memphis Grizzlies during the offseason. In the 2009 -- 10 offseason, Dumars reached an agreement with the former Bulls guard Ben Gordon on a 5 year / $55 million contract, as well as an agreement with former Milwaukee Bucks forward Charlie Villanueva on a 5 - year contract worth $35 million. That same month, the Pistons lost their two key members during the last few years, veterans Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess. On July 8, 2009, Dumars hired former Cavaliers assistant coach John Kuester to be the Pistons new head coach. The Pistons would later resign Ben Wallace in August 2009. Despite these changes, the team regressed even further, as they were hampered by setbacks and injuries. On March 23, 2010, the Pistons were eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Pistons finished with a 27 -- 55 record. It was their worst record since 1994. Another 50 - loss season, this time finishing at 30 -- 52, led to the firing of Kuester at the end of the 2010 -- 11 season. 2011 -- 2015 : New ownership ; more struggling On April 7, 2011, the Pistons reached a long - awaited agreement to sell the franchise to billionaire Tom Gores. The deal was granted by the NBA Board of Governors in May and also included The Palace of Auburn Hills and DTE Energy Music Theatre. According to Crain 's Detroit Business, the final sale price was $325 million, far lower than expected. Prior to the 2011 -- 12 season, the team decided to hire a new coach, Lawrence Frank, former head coach of the New Jersey Nets and an assistant coach of the Boston Celtics. The 2011 -- 12 season was an improvement from previous years for the Pistons, although they still posted a losing record. While they started the season 4 -- 20, they managed to win half their remaining games to finish a lockout - shortened season with a record of 25 -- 41. The team continued to build its young core with the drafting of the talented center Andre Drummond. Following the 2012 -- 13 season, coach Lawrence Frank was fired on April 18, 2013, after two losing seasons, and on June 10, 2013, the Pistons hired former player and coach, Maurice Cheeks. His tenure lasted for just a bit more than half a season, and he was replaced with interim coach John Loyer. In April, the Pistons announced that Joe Dumars would step down as President of Basketball Operations, yet remain as an advisor to the organization and its ownership team. On May 14, 2014, Stan Van Gundy was hired. Van Gundy signed a 5 - year, $35 million contract to become the head coach and President of Basketball Operations for the team. After starting the 2014 -- 15 season with a 5 -- 23 record, the Pistons waived Josh Smith, who was acquired in the summer of 2013. The team went on a lengthy winning streak, but would only finish the season with a record of 32 -- 50 after Brandon Jennings ' Achilles injury. 2015 -- 2016 : return to the playoffs In the 2015 offseason, Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy began to change the roster to his liking by making such acquisitions as Ersan İlyasova, Marcus Morris, Aron Baynes, and Steve Blake. They also drafted rookie Stanley Johnson with the 8th pick in the 2015 NBA draft and re-signed point guard Reggie Jackson. The Pistons entered the 2015 -- 16 season with a stronger roster than the previous season, although they lost starter Greg Monroe to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Andre Drummond started the season on fire earning himself the honor of consecutive Eastern Conference Player of the Week awards for the weeks of November 1 and November 8. The Pistons entered the All - Star break at 27 -- 27. The Pistons did surpass their win totals from the 2009 -- 10 NBA season to the 2014 -- 15 NBA season on March 9, 2016, when Detroit defeated the Dallas Mavericks 102 -- 96. On April 6, 2016, following a 108 -- 104 win over the Orlando Magic giving the Pistons their first winning season since the 2007 -- 08 NBA season. On April 8, 2016, the Pistons defeated the Washington Wizards 112 -- 99 and clinched a playoff berth for the first time in seven years. The eighth - seeded Pistons faced the top - seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs. They were swept in four games in a highly - competitive series. 2017 : move back to downtown Detroit Beginning with the 1978 -- 79 season, the Pistons played their home games in suburban Oakland County ( directly north of Detroit / Wayne County ), first playing ten seasons at the Pontiac Silverdome, and then began play at The Palace of Auburn Hills starting in the 1988 -- 89 season. From 1999, when the Lakers relocated from The Forum in suburban Inglewood to Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, until the conclusion of the 2016 - 17 season, the Pistons remained the only NBA franchise to play in a suburban location, concluding a 39 - year stay in Oakland County. Pistons owner Tom Gores, Palace Sports & Entertainment vice chairman Arn Tellum, and Olympia Entertainment ( the Ilitch family 's holding company that controls the Detroit Red Wings and Tigers ) had been in negotiations over a partnership since the summer of 2015, with the Pistons possibly relocating to the new Little Caesars Arena as soon as the 2017 -- 18 season. Talks intensified just as the Pistons were set to open their 2016 -- 17 season, and as part of the terms of the agreement, it also may include a possible merger between Olympia and PS&E. Also contingent on a finalized agreement, the Pistons were looking for a parcel of land in the arena 's vicinity, to build a new practice facility and team headquarters. The leasing agreement / partnership needed both city and league approval to be finalized. On November 22, 2016, the Pistons announced their intention to move to Little Caesars Arena, and the site of the Palace of Auburn Hills would be redeveloped and sold, with the arena likely to be demolished as part of the redevelopment. On June 20, 2017, Detroit City Council approved the Pistons ' move to Little Caesars Arena. On August 3, 2017, it was announced that the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the move, which made it official. Media coverage Main article : List of Detroit Pistons broadcasters Radio The Pistons flagship radio station is WXYT - FM. There are several affiliate stations throughout Michigan. The regular radio announcers are Mark Champion with play - by - play and Rick Mahorn with color commentary. TV The Pistons ' current exclusive local television rights holder is Fox Sports Detroit. The regular TV announcers are George Blaha with play - by - play, Greg Kelser with color commentary, Grant Long with studio analysis and Johnny Kane or Matt Shepard with sideline reports. Uniforms After moving from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Detroit in 1957, the Pistons ' uniforms remained largely unchanged for two decades, featuring the word `` Pistons '' in blue block lettering. In the 1978 -- 79 season, the team featured a uniform with lightning bolts on the sides and in the wordmark on the front of the jerseys. The team ditched the lightning bolt theme and returned to its classic block lettering and simple side panel pattern in 1981, staying with this look until 1996. That year, the Pistons changed its colors to teal, black, yellow and red, and unveiled a new logo with a horse 's head and flaming mane. This uniform pattern lasted until 2001, when the team returned to the traditional red, white and blue colors, and a uniform pattern taking cues from the 1981 -- 96 threads. On August 14, 2013, the Pistons unveiled a new alternate uniform, with navy blue and red colors. It featured the words `` Motor City '' across the front and mark the club 's first alternative look since the 2005 -- 06 NBA season. The uniforms are the first of their kind, designed to celebrate the pride and character of metro Detroit while paying homage to the region 's automotive roots. The team said in its press release that it `` worked in consultation with adidas and the NBA in development of the uniforms. Lettering and numbering style on the jersey is consistent with the team 's current home and away uniforms. To contrast the navy blue and red accents, lettering and numbers on the jerseys and shorts are white with hair - line red and blue trim. The club 's secondary logo appears on the shorts -- similar to the primary home and away uniforms. '' On October 4, 2015, the Pistons unveiled a new alternate pride uniform, intended to be worn during the 2015 -- 16 NBA season. The team said in a press release that `` the inspiration for the Detroit Chrome jerseys came about as a way to honor our coolest cars from the past and the cars of the future. Detroit is universally known as the auto capitol of the world, where chrome leaves an indelible mark on the cars we create. The uniforms feature a matte chrome base color with clean simple lines inspired by the classic muscle cars that have roared up and down Woodward Avenue for decades. The navy trim and Detroit emblazoned across the chest represent the blue collar work ethic that the auto industry and region was built on. '' On May 16, 2017, the Pistons unveiled a new logo, which is a modernized version of the previous `` Bad Boys '' era logo used from 1979 to 1996. Mascots Sir Slam A Lot ( 1994 -- 1996 ) Season - by - season records Main article : List of Detroit Pistons seasons Home arenas The Detroit Pistons playing in The Palace of Auburn Hills, seen here in January 2006. Fort Wayne ( Zollner ) Pistons : North Side High School Gym ( 1948 -- 1952 ) Allen County War Memorial Coliseum ( 1952 -- 1957 ) Detroit Pistons : Olympia Stadium ( 1957 -- 1961 ) Memorial Building ( University of Detroit ) ( 1957 -- 1961 ; used as an alternate when Olympia Stadium was occupied ) Cobo Arena ( 1961 -- 1978 ) Pontiac Silverdome ( 1978 -- 1988 ) The Palace of Auburn Hills ( 1988 -- 2017 ) Little Caesars Arena ( 2017 -- present ) Notes : On March 12, 1960, the Pistons hosted a playoff game against the Minneapolis Lakers at Grosse Pointe High School when no other facility ( including Olympia Stadium, which was booked for Ice Capades, and the University of Detroit ) was available. On April 27, 1984, the Pistons played Game 5 of their playoff series against the New York Knicks at Joe Louis Arena due to a scheduling conflict. During the 1984 -- 85 season, the Silverdome 's roof collapsed, causing the team to temporarily relocate to Joe Louis Arena. Players Main article : Detroit Pistons all - time roster Current roster Detroit Pistons roster Players Coaches Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB ( YYYY - MM - DD ) From 1.5 ! G 7001220000000000000 ♠ 22 Bradley, Avery 7000187960000000000 ♠ 6 ft 2 in ( 1.88 m ) 180 lb ( 82 kg ) 1990 -- 11 -- 26 Texas 4.0 ! F 7001250000000000000 ♠ 25 Bullock, Reggie 7000200659999999999 ♠ 6 ft 7 in ( 2.01 m ) 205 lb ( 93 kg ) 1991 -- 03 -- 16 North Carolina 1.5 ! G 7001200000000000000 ♠ 20 Buycks, Dwight ( TW ) 7000190500000000000 ♠ 6 ft 3 in ( 1.91 m ) 190 lb ( 86 kg ) 1989 -- 03 -- 06 Marquette 6.0 ! C 5000000000000000000 ♠ 0 Drummond, Andre 7000210820000000000 ♠ 6 ft 11 in ( 2.11 m ) 279 lb ( 127 kg ) 1993 -- 08 -- 10 Connecticut 4.0 ! F 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 Ellenson, Henry 7000210820000000000 ♠ 6 ft 11 in ( 2.11 m ) 245 lb ( 111 kg ) 1997 -- 01 -- 13 Marquette 1.5 ! G 7000900000000000000 ♠ 9 Galloway, Langston 7000187960000000000 ♠ 6 ft 2 in ( 1.88 m ) 200 lb ( 91 kg ) 1991 -- 12 -- 09 Saint Joseph 's 4.0 ! F 7001340000000000000 ♠ 34 Harris, Tobias 7000205740000000000 ♠ 6 ft 9 in ( 2.06 m ) 235 lb ( 107 kg ) 1992 -- 07 -- 15 Tennessee 1.5 ! G 7000100000000000000 ♠ 1 Jackson, Reggie 7000190500000000000 ♠ 6 ft 3 in ( 1.91 m ) 208 lb ( 94 kg ) 1990 -- 04 -- 16 Boston College 4.0 ! F 7000700000000000000 ♠ 7 Johnson, Stanley 7000200659999999999 ♠ 6 ft 7 in ( 2.01 m ) 245 lb ( 111 kg ) 1996 -- 05 -- 29 Arizona 1.5 ! G 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 Kennard, Luke 7000195580000000000 ♠ 6 ft 5 in ( 1.96 m ) 200 lb ( 91 kg ) 1996 -- 06 -- 24 Duke 4.0 ! F 7001300000000000000 ♠ 30 Leuer, Jon 7000208279999999999 ♠ 6 ft 10 in ( 2.08 m ) 228 lb ( 103 kg ) 1989 -- 05 -- 14 Wisconsin 6.0 ! C 7001510000000000000 ♠ 51 Marjanović, Boban 7000220980000000000 ♠ 7 ft 3 in ( 2.21 m ) 290 lb ( 132 kg ) 1988 -- 08 -- 15 Serbia 1.5 ! G 7001440000000000000 ♠ 44 Montero, Luis ( TW ) 7000200659999999999 ♠ 6 ft 7 in ( 2.01 m ) 200 lb ( 91 kg ) 1993 -- 04 -- 06 Westchester CC 5.5 ! F / C 7001240000000000000 ♠ 24 Moreland, Eric 7000208279999999999 ♠ 6 ft 10 in ( 2.08 m ) 238 lb ( 108 kg ) 1991 -- 12 -- 24 Oregon State 1.5 ! G 7001140000000000000 ♠ 14 Smith, Ish 7000182880000000000 ♠ 6 ft 0 in ( 1.83 m ) 175 lb ( 79 kg ) 1988 -- 07 -- 05 Wake Forest 4.0 ! F 7001430000000000000 ♠ 43 Tolliver, Anthony 7000203200000000000 ♠ 6 ft 8 in ( 2.03 m ) 240 lb ( 109 kg ) 1985 -- 06 -- 01 Creighton Head coach Stan Van Gundy Assistant coach ( es ) Malik Allen Bob Beyer Aaron Gray Tim Hardaway Charles Klask Brendan Malone Rex Walters Otis Smith ( Player Development ) Legend ( C ) Team captain ( DP ) Unsigned draft pick ( FA ) Free agent ( S ) Suspended ( GL ) On assignment to G League affiliate ( TW ) Two - way affiliate player Injured Roster Transactions Last transaction : 2017 -- 10 -- 15 Retained draft rights The Pistons hold the draft rights to the following unsigned draft picks who have been playing outside the NBA. A drafted player, either an international draftee or a college draftee who is n't signed by the team that drafted him, is allowed to sign with any non-NBA teams. In this case, the team retains the player 's draft rights in the NBA until one year after the player 's contract with the non-NBA team ends. This list includes draft rights that were acquired from trades with other teams. Draft Round Pick Player Pos. Nationality Current team Note ( s ) Ref Retired numbers Detroit Pistons retired numbers and honorees No. Player Position Tenure Date Ref Chauncey Billups 2002 -- 2008 2013 -- 2014 February 10, 2016 Chuck Daly Head coach 1983 -- 1992 January 25, 1997 Ben Wallace 2000 -- 2006 2009 -- 2012 January 16, 2016 Joe Dumars 1985 -- 1999 March 10, 2000 10 Dennis Rodman 1986 -- 1993 April 1, 2011 11 Isiah Thomas 1981 -- 1994 February 17, 1996 15 Vinnie Johnson 1981 -- 1991 February 5, 1994 16 Bob Lanier 1970 -- 1980 January 9, 1993 21 Dave Bing 1966 -- 1975 March 18, 1983 32 Richard Hamilton G / F 2002 -- 2011 February 26, 2017 40 Bill Laimbeer 1982 -- 1994 February 4, 1995 -- Bill Davidson Team owner 1974 -- 2009 December 28, 2011 -- Jack McCloskey General manager 1979 -- 1992 March 29, 2008 Notes Reggie Jackson currently wears the number. Never played in the NBA ; number represents the two NBA championship teams he coached. Stanley Johnson wore the number at the time it was retired. Also President of the team from 2000 to 2014. Greg Monroe wore the number at the time it was retired ( 2010 -- 2015 ). Banner raised to honor his 35 years with the team. Banner raised to honor his 13 years as the team 's general manager. Basketball Hall of Fame members Detroit Pistons Hall of Famers Players No. Name Position Tenure Inducted No. Name Position Tenure Inducted Andy Phillip G / F 1952 -- 1956 1961 22 Dave DeBusschere 1962 -- 1968 17 Bob Houbregs C / F 1954 -- 1958 20 Bobby McDermott 1941 -- 1946 1988 21 Dave Bing 1966 -- 1975 1990 11 Harry Gallatin F / C 1957 -- 1958 1991 16 Bob Lanier 1970 -- 1980 1992 8 Walt Bellamy 1968 -- 1970 1993 15 Dick McGuire 1957 -- 1960 1993 12 George Yardley F / G 1953 -- 1959 18 Bailey Howell 1959 -- 1964 1997 11 Bob McAdoo F / C 1979 -- 1981 2000 11 Isiah Thomas 1981 -- 1994 2000 17 Earl Lloyd 1958 -- 1960 2003 Joe Dumars 1985 -- 1999 2006 45 Adrian Dantley 1986 -- 1989 2008 10 Dennis Rodman 1986 -- 1993 2011 24 Nathaniel Clifton C / F 1956 -- 1957 2014 Allen Iverson 2008 -- 2009 2016 Tracy McGrady G / F 2010 -- 2011 2017 Coaches No. Name Position Tenure Inducted No. Name Position Tenure Inducted Chuck Daly Head coach 1983 -- 1992 -- Larry Brown Head coach 2003 -- 2005 2002 -- Earl Lloyd Head coach 1971 -- 1972 2003 -- Dick Vitale Head coach 1978 -- 1979 2008 Contributors No. Name Position Tenure Inducted No. Name Position Tenure Inducted -- Fred Zollner Founder / Owner 1941 -- 1974 1999 -- Bill Davidson Owner 1974 -- 2009 2008 Lloyd was inducted as a contributor as the first African American player and bench coach in the NBA. Vitale was inducted as a contributor for his career as a college basketball broadcaster. Head coaches Main article : List of Detroit Pistons head coaches General managers GM history GM Tenure Carl Bennett 1948 -- 1954 Fred Zollner 1954 -- 1957 Otto Adams 1957 Fred Delano 1957 -- 1958 W. Nicholas Kerbawy 1958 -- 1961 Francis Smith 1961 -- 1964 Don Wattrick 1964 -- 1965 Edwin Coil 1965 -- 1975 Oscar Feldman 1975 -- 1977 Bob Kauffman 1977 -- 1978 Bill Davidson 1978 -- 1979 Jack McCloskey 1979 -- 1992 Tom Wilson 1992 Billy McKinney 1992 -- 1995 Doug Collins 1995 -- 1998 Rick Sund 1998 -- 2000 Joe Dumars 2000 -- 2014 Jeff Bower 2014 -- present Individual records and awards Franchise leaders Bold denotes still active with team. Italic denotes still active but not with team. Points scored ( regular season ) ( as of the end of the 2016 -- 17 season ) Isiah Thomas ( 18,822 ) Joe Dumars ( 16,401 ) Bob Lanier ( 15,488 ) Dave Bing ( 15,235 ) Bill Laimbeer ( 12,665 ) Richard Hamilton ( 11,582 ) Vinnie Johnson ( 10,146 ) Tayshaun Prince ( 10,006 ) Grant Hill ( 9,393 ) John Long ( 9,023 ) Bailey Howell ( 8,182 ) Gene Shue ( 8,034 ) Chauncey Billups ( 7,940 ) Kelly Tripucka ( 7,597 ) Jerry Stackhouse ( 7,451 ) Eddie Miles ( 7,419 ) George Yardley ( 7,339 ) Larry Foust ( 7,124 ) Dave DeBusschere ( 7,096 ) Ray Scott ( 6,724 ) Other statistics ( regular season ) ( as of the end of the 2016 -- 17 season ) Most minutes played Player Minutes Isiah Thomas 35,516 Joe Dumars 35,139 Bill Laimbeer 30,602 Tayshaun Prince 26,166 Dave Bing 26,052 Bob Lanier 24,640 Richard Hamilton 21,679 Ben Wallace 21,358 Vinnie Johnson 20,218 Lindsey Hunter 18,574 Most rebounds Player Rebounds Bill Laimbeer 9,430 Bob Lanier 8,063 Ben Wallace 7,264 Dennis Rodman 6,299 Larry Foust 5,200 Walter Dukes 4,986 Dave DeBusschere 4,947 Andre Drummond 4,946 Bailey Howell 4,583 Ray Scott 4,508 Most assists Player Assists Isiah Thomas 9,061 Joe Dumars 4,612 Dave Bing 4,330 Chauncey Billups 2,984 Grant Hill 2,720 Vinnie Johnson 2,661 Richard Hamilton 2,419 Bob Lanier 2,256 Tayshaun Prince 2,074 Lindsey Hunter 2,038 Most steals Player Steals Isiah Thomas 1,861 Ben Wallace 931 Joe Dumars 902 Lindsey Hunter 896 Chris Ford 785 Vinnie Johnson 708 Grant Hill 694 John Long 649 Bill Laimbeer 632 Terry Tyler 615 Most blocks Player Blocks Ben Wallace 1,486 Terry Tyler 1,070 Bob Lanier 859 Bill Laimbeer 857 John Salley 709 Rasheed Wallace 623 Andre Drummond 580 Tayshaun Prince 448 Jason Maxiell 426 Dennis Rodman 399 Most three - pointers made Player 3 - pointers made Joe Dumars 990 Chauncey Billups 890 Lindsey Hunter 793 Rasheed Wallace 581 Tayshaun Prince 510 Terry Mills 495 Kentavious Caldwell - Pope 479 Richard Hamilton 413 Chucky Atkins 409 Jerry Stackhouse 401 Individual awards NBA Finals MVP Joe Dumars -- 1989 Isiah Thomas -- 1990 Chauncey Billups -- 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dennis Rodman -- 1990, 1991 Ben Wallace -- 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year Don Meineke -- 1953 Dave Bing -- 1967 Grant Hill -- 1995 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Corliss Williamson -- 2002 NBA Coach of the Year Ray Scott -- 1974 Rick Carlisle -- 2002 NBA Executive of the Year Joe Dumars -- 2003 NBA Sportsmanship Award Joe Dumars -- 1996 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Bob Lanier -- 1978 Kent Benson -- 1982 Isiah Thomas -- 1987 Joe Dumars -- 1994 Chauncey Billups -- 2008 All - NBA First Team Larry Foust -- 1955 George Yardley -- 1958 Gene Shue -- 1960 Dave Bing -- 1968, 1971 Isiah Thomas -- 1984 -- 1986 Grant Hill -- 1997 All - NBA Second Team Fred Schaus -- 1950 Larry Foust -- 1952 George Yardley -- 1957 Gene Shue -- 1961 Bailey Howell -- 1963 Dave DeBusschere -- 1969 Dave Bing -- 1974 Isiah Thomas -- 1983, 1987 Joe Dumars -- 1993 Grant Hill -- 1996, 1998 -- 2000 Ben Wallace -- 2003, 2004, 2006 Chauncey Billups -- 2006 All - NBA Third Team Joe Dumars -- 1990, 1991 Dennis Rodman -- 1992 Ben Wallace -- 2002, 2005 Chauncey Billups -- 2007 Andre Drummond -- 2016 NBA All - Defensive First Team Joe Dumars -- 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993 Dennis Rodman -- 1989 -- 1993 Ben Wallace -- 2002 -- 2006 NBA All - Defensive Second Team M.L. Carr -- 1979 Joe Dumars -- 1991 Clifford Robinson -- 2002 Chauncey Billups -- 2005, 2006 Tayshaun Prince -- 2005 -- 2008 NBA All - Rookie First Team Dave DeBusschere -- 1963 Joe Caldwell -- 1965 Tom Van Arsdale -- 1966 Dave Bing -- 1967 Bob Lanier -- 1971 Terry Tyler -- 1979 Isiah Thomas -- 1982 Kelly Tripucka -- 1982 Joe Dumars -- 1986 Grant Hill -- 1995 Brandon Knight -- 2012 NBA All - Rookie Second Team Lindsey Hunter -- 1994 Željko Rebrača -- 2002 Rodney Stuckey -- 2008 Jonas Jerebko -- 2010 Greg Monroe -- 2011 Andre Drummond -- 2013 Kyle Singler -- 2013 NBA All - Star Weekend NBA Eastern All - Star Game head coach Chuck Daly -- 1990 Doug Collins -- 1997 Flip Saunders -- 2006 NBA All - Star Game MVP Bob Lanier -- 1974 Isiah Thomas -- 1984, 1986 Rivalries See also : National Basketball Association rivalries Chicago Bulls Main article : Bulls -- Pistons rivalry Boston Celtics Main article : Celtics -- Pistons rivalry Los Angeles Lakers Main article : Lakers -- Pistons rivalry References Jump up ^ `` History : Team by Team '' ( PDF ). 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NBA Hoops Online. Retrieved May 26, 2017. Jump up ^ The Wizard of Odds : How Jack Molinas Almost Destroyed the Game of Basketball. By Charley Rosen. p. 154. 2001 Seven Stories Press. ISBN 1 - 58322 - 268 - 5 Jump up ^ `` Syracuse Five Defeats Pistons in N.B.A. Play - Off Final, 92 -- 91 '', The New York Times, April 11, 1955, p. 31. Jump up ^ `` City Hails Nats ' World Title Triumph '', Syracuse Herald - Journal, April 11, 1955, pp. 1, 45. Jump up ^ `` Population of the 100 Largest Urban Places : 1950 ''. United States Census. Retrieved June 14, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Detroit Gems ''. NBA Hoops Online. Retrieved June 6, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Detroit Falcons Basketball ''. NBA Hoops Online. Retrieved June 6, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Van Dusen, Ryan ( March 12, 2016 ). `` 25 Things You Probably Did n't Know About the Pistons ' First 10 Years in Detroit ''. Detroit Sports Nation. 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Retrieved June 11, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Best moments in Joe Louis Arena history : No. 10 ''. Detroit Free Press. March 29, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017. Jump up ^ Langlois, Keith ( June 2, 2017 ). `` The Best of Trader Jack : Part VI ''. Pistons.com. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ Savage, Brendan ( March 19, 2015 ). `` Detroit Pistons Q&A : Rick Mahorn on the Bad Boys, Laimbeer & Barkley, the ' 04 champions ''. MLive. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ Holmes, Dan ( October 29, 2011 ). `` 25 years ago the Pistons snatched Salley and Rodman in NBA Draft ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ Goldaper, Sam ( August 22, 1986 ). `` TRIPUCKA TRADED BY PISTONS FOR DANTLEY ''. The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ Holmes, Dan ( April 27, 2016 ). `` How the Detroit Pistons came to be known as the Bad Boys ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 11, 2017. ^ Jump up to : May, Peter ( May 25, 2012 ). `` 25 years later, remembering ' a steal by Bird ' ''. ESPN Boston. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ Gelso, Nick ( January 22, 2010 ). `` Boston Celtics Rivalries That Defined Generations of NBA Basketball ''. Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ Holmes, Dan ( March 20, 2016 ). `` Edwards added a key piece to the championship runs for the Pistons ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1955 - 56 NBA Season Summary ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1956 NBA Finals Pistons vs. Warriors ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Powell, Shaun ( May 31, 2016 ). `` Top NBA Finals moments : Isiah Thomas scores 25 in quarter on injured ankle ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 6, 2017. Jump up ^ Skolnick, Ethan ( June 19, 2014 ). `` Pat Riley Admits ' 88 Lakers Benefited from Phantom Foul vs. Detroit Pistons ''. Bleacher Report. 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Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Bad Boys Still the Best ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 12, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1989 - 90 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1990 NBA Playoff Summary ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` 1990 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Bulls vs. Pistons ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Goldaper, Sam ( June 8, 1990 ). `` Another Thriller As Blazers Tie Series ''. The New York Times. Retrieved June 7, 2017. Jump up ^ Mayberry, Darnell ( June 16, 2012 ). `` An Historic Look At The NBA Finals ' 2 - 3 - 2 Format ''. The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 6, 2017. Jump up ^ Holmes, Dan ( March 14, 2013 ). `` From every angle, the Microwave could get hot on the court ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 6, 2017. Jump up ^ Cooper, Barry ( January 26, 1991 ). `` Thomas ' Injury Signals Finish Of Pistons ' Reign ''. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 10, 2017. Jump up ^ Chirco, Vito ( September 9, 2015 ). `` Why did the Pistons walk off the court without shaking hands with Jordan 's Bulls ? ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 10, 2017. Jump up ^ Eno, Greg ( April 18, 2009 ). `` The Day the `` Bad Boys '' Walked Out ``. Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 10, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Backcourt - rich Pistons Waive Vinnie Johnson ''. Chicago Tribune. September 5, 1991. Retrieved June 12, 2017. Jump up ^ Klein, Gary ( August 14, 1991 ). `` Clippers Get Edwards -- or a Big Headache : NBA : They trade reserve guard Martin and a draft pick to get 7 - foot - 1 Piston center, but he is on his way to Italy ''. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2017. Jump up ^ Smith, Sam ( September 9, 1992 ). `` Pistons Deal Salley, May Go After Olajuwon ''. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2017. 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Jump up ^ `` PRO BASKETBALL / UPDATE : AROUND THE NBA : Pistons Replace Rothstein With Chaney ''. Los Angeles Times. May 4, 1993. Retrieved June 13, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Holmes, Dan ( March 1, 2012 ). `` The Teal Era : When everything went wrong for the Pistons ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 12, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` PISTONS REV UP `` NEW BREED '' WITH NEW LOGO AND LOOK ``. Sports Business Daily. May 22, 1996. Retrieved June 12, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Eno, Greg ( August 8, 2009 ). `` Unwanted Ben Wallace Started Detroit Pistons ' 21 Century Re-Birth ''. Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 13, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2000 - 01 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Carlisle named Pistons coach ''. ESPN.com. May 27, 2001. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2001 - 02 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Stack Comes Through to Help Pistons Move On ''. NBA.com. May 2, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Balanced Celtics Wear Down Pistons to Move On ''. NBA.com. May 14, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Sign Free Agent Guard Chauncey Billups ''. Pistons.com. July 17, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` PLUS : PRO BASKETBALL ; Pistons ' Stackhouse Traded to Wizards ''. The New York Times. September 12, 2002. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` NBA Draft history : 2002 Draft ''. NBA.com. February 27, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2002 - 03 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Slip Past Sixers in OT, Off to Conference Finals ''. NBA.com. May 16, 2003. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Kidd Drives Nets Back to NBA Finals ''. NBA.com. May 24, 2003. Retrieved June 17, 2017. Jump up ^ Bucher, Ric ( June 3, 2003 ). `` No sense trying to explain Carlisle 's firing ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 12, 2017. 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Jump up ^ `` Hamilton leads rout with 31 points ''. ESPN.com. June 11, 2004. Retrieved June 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2004 - 05 Season Preview : Detroit Pistons ''. NBA.com. June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2004 - 05 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Detroit finishes with a flourish in the fourth ''. NBA.com. May 4, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Setting the Pace ''. NBA.com. May 13, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Retire Miller 's Pacers ; Move On to Face Heat ''. NBA.com. May 19, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Heat Take 3 - 2 Series Lead Despite Losing Wade to Injury ''. NBA.com. June 2, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Overcame Heat ; Will Defend Title vs. Spurs ''. NBA.com. June 6, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Smith, Sekou ( May 31, 2016 ). `` Top NBA Finals moments : Robert Horry saves day for Spurs against Pistons ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Engine That Wo n't Quit : Pistons Force Game 7 ''. NBA.com. June 21, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Spurs Dethrone Pistons To Take Third NBA Title ''. NBA.com. June 23, 2005. Retrieved June 20, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hill, Jemele ( November 18, 2009 ). `` The Brawl : Were lessons learned ? ''. ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` The Larry Brown Circus Rolls Out of Detroit ''. ESPN.com. July 19, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons part ways with Brown after two seasons ''. USA Today. July 19, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Pedulla, Tom ( July 27, 2005 ). `` Knicks, Brown make move official ''. USA Today. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Name Flip Saunders as Head Coach ''. Pistons.com. July 21, 2005. Retrieved June 19, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` 2006 - 07 Season Preview : Detroit Pistons ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Markusen, Bruce ( May 14, 2014 ). `` ' 84 Tigers had the best start in the history of the game ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 18, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Five Pistons hit double figures as Detroit wins 11th straight ''. ESPN.com. January 30, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Four Pistons Named as Reserves for 2006 NBA All - Star Game ''. NBA.com. February 9, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons survive late rally, beat Heat for sixth straight ''. ESPN.com. April 6, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons rout Knicks for franchise - best 64th win ''. ESPN.com. April 17, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Hamilton nets 40 as Pistons oust Bucks from playoffs ''. ESPN.com. May 4, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` LeBron and Co. put Pistons in 3 - 2 hole ''. ESPN.com. May 18, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons hold Cavs to lowest point total in a Game 7 ''. ESPN.com. May 25, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Heat dethrone Pistons, make first NBA Finals ''. ESPN.com. June 3, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Wade Leads Heat to First NBA Championship ''. NBA.com. June 20, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ben Wallace makes it official, signs with Bulls -- NBA -- ESPN ''. Sports.espn.go.com. 2006 - 07 - 13. Retrieved 2012 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Pistons add Mohammed to try to fill Wallace 's void ''. ESPN.com. July 4, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Sign Free - Agent Forward / Center Chris Webber ''. Pistons.com. January 16, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Webber gets front - row view of Pistons ' overtime loss ''. ESPN.com. January 16, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Van Dusen, Ryan ( February 25, 2016 ). `` Home at Last : Remembering Chris Webber 's brief run with the Pistons ''. Detroit Sports Nation. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Billups, Pistons push past Magic, clinch 1st seed in East ''. ESPN.com. April 12, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons overcome poor 4th - quarter shooting to sweep Magic ''. ESPN.com. April 29, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Second Round Notes : Chicago vs. Detroit '' ( PDF ). Bulls.com. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons bury turnover - prone Bulls in Round 2 opener ''. ESPN.com. May 7, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Nance, Roscoe ( May 7, 2007 ). `` Pistons pound on Bulls again for 2 - 0 series lead ''. USA Today. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Billups, Prince spearhead Pistons ' comeback win ''. ESPN.com. May 11, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bulls battle back vs. Pistons to avoid sweep ''. USA Today. May 13, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bulls one step ahead of Pistons throughout Game 5 ''. USA Today. May 15, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons finally eliminate Bulls in Game 6 ''. USA Today. May 17, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2017. Jump up ^ Pinto, Michael ( May 20, 2013 ). `` LeBron James dominates Pistons en route to Finals ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gibson 's 31 points, James ' balanced play puts Cavs in NBA Finals ''. ESPN.com. June 3, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2007 NBA Draft Board ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Watson, Matt ( July 6, 2007 ). `` Andy Miller : Chauncey Billups will re-sign ''. Detroit Bad Boys. Retrieved June 22, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` All - Time Transactions ''. Pistons.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons to Name All - Time Team as Part of 50th Season Celebration on April 8 ''. Pistons.com. March 18, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Daily Dime 2007 - 08 Preview Edition : Detroit Pistons ''. ESPN.com. October 25, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Pistons fire head coach Lawrence Frank ''. FOX Sports. April 18, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` 2007 - 08 NBA Season Summary ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Hollinger, John ( April 18, 2008 ). `` Who will win it all ? The numbers speak ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 76ers limit No. 2 seed Pistons to 35 2nd - half points in Game 1 upset ''. ESPN.com. April 20, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dalembert spearheads Sixers ' stifling defense in Game 3 win ''. ESPN.com. April 25, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Strong start boosts Pistons past 76ers, into second round ''. ESPN.com. May 2, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Howard fails to put up big numbers as Billups, Pistons win Game 1 ''. ESPN.com. May 4, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` ESPN -- After review, NBA says Billups ' 3 - pointer should not have counted -- NBA ''. Sports.espn.go.com. 2008 - 05 - 07. Retrieved 2012 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Lewis leads way as Magic punish Pistons with 3 - pointers in Game 3 ''. ESPN.com. May 8, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Hamilton scores 32, Prince nails go - ahead shot to seal Game 4 win ''. ESPN.com. May 10, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons pull away late to advance to 6th straight conference finals ''. ESPN.com. May 14, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Reaching Five Consecutive Conference Finals ''. NBA.com. 2007 - 05 - 17. Retrieved 2012 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Celtics too much for Pistons as Boston maintains unbeaten record at home ''. ESPN.com. May 21, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Hamilton 's 25 help Pistons derail Celtics, even Eastern finals ''. ESPN.com. May 23, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Garnett, balanced Celtics stun Pistons for first playoff road win ''. ESPN.com. May 25, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Celtics have trouble with shot as Pistons send series to Boston tied 2 - 2 ''. ESPN.com. May 27, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Celtics stifle Pistons ' Game 5 push on Allen 's jumper, free throws ''. ESPN.com. May 29, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pierce shoots Celtics to first Finals appearance since ' 87 ''. ESPN.com. May 31, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Celtics smash Lakers, bring home 17th NBA championship ''. ESPN.com. June 18, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Source : Curry to succeed Saunders as Pistons seek new voice ''. ESPN.com. June 3, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Name Michael Curry as Head Coach ''. Pistons.com. June 10, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Stein, Marc ( November 4, 2008 ). `` Pistons acquire Iverson, send Billups and McDyess to Denver ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` McDyess waived by Nuggets ''. NBA.com. November 10, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Hello, again : McDyess returns to Pistons month after being dealt ''. ESPN.com. December 10, 2008. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Lawrence, Mitch ( March 1, 2009 ). `` Lawrence : Pistons sputter since Iverson trade ''. New York Daily News. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Stein, Marc ( October 28, 2009 ). `` Hamilton looks to put frustration behind ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Youthful Nets falter as Pistons clinch eighth straight playoff appearance ''. ESPN.com. April 11, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Piston confined to eighth seed after Gordon 's layup in final ticks breaks tie ''. ESPN.com. April 14, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Wade wins scoring title as Heat finish season with OT victory ''. ESPN.com. April 16, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` LeBron takes control as Cavaliers sweep up Pistons ''. ESPN.com. April 26, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Blakely, A. Sherrod ( June 30, 2009 ). `` Pistons fire coach Michael Curry after one season ''. MLive. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Iverson aiming to prove critics wrong ''. ESPN.com. September 10, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Sign Free Agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva ''. Pistons.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons sign Gordon, Villanueva ''. ESPN.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Adande, J.A. ( July 6, 2009 ). `` Agent : Wallace commits to Celtics ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ `` McDyess leaves Pistons for Spurs ''. ESPN.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Stein, Marc ( July 8, 2009 ). `` Sources : Pistons turn to Kuester ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Iott, Chris ( July 29, 2010 ). `` Poll : If no more roster moves are made, how good will the Pistons be this season ? ''. MLive. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Aschburner, Steve ( October 19, 2010 ). `` Villanueva vows to make up for poor debut in Detroit ''. NBA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pacers sweep season series vs. Pistons ''. ESPN.com. March 23, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons hand Timberwolves franchise record - tying 67th loss ''. ESPN.com. April 15, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Shuster, Rachel ( June 5, 2011 ). `` Pistons fire coach John Kuester after two seasons ''. USA Today. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Karen Davidson and Tom Gores Reach Agreement on Sale of Detroit Pistons '' ( Press release ). Detroit Pistons. April 8, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2017. Jump up ^ Langlois, Keith ( May 31, 2011 ). `` NBA Approves Tom Gores ''. Detroit Pistons. Retrieved May 16, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons Sold To Billionaire Tom Gores ''. HuffPost. April 8, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2012. Jump up ^ Shea, Bill ( 2011 - 06 - 05 ). `` ' Shocking ' bargain : Gores pays $325 million for Pistons ''. Crain 's Detroit Business. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons hire Lawrence Frank as new head coach ''. MLive. July 29, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons show improvement, but rebuilding continues ''. The Oakland Press. April 28, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Mayo, David ( June 28, 2012 ). `` NBA Draft 2012 : Detroit Pistons select Andre Drummond with No. 9 overall pick ''. MLive. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Lawrence Frank fired by Detroit Pistons -- ESPN Jump up ^ `` Pistons hire Cheeks as coach ''. FOX Sports. June 10, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Detroit Pistons Relieve Maurice Cheeks of Head Coaching Duties Pistons.com, February 9, 2014 Jump up ^ Mayo, David ( February 9, 2014 ). `` Pistons owner Tom Gores : Poor progress under Mo Cheeks ; John Loyer interim coach ''. MLive. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Detroit Pistons Announce Organizational Changes Pistons.com, April 14, 2014 Jump up ^ Detroit Pistons Name Stan Van Gundy Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Pistons.com, May 14, 2014, Jump up ^ `` Pistons waive Josh Smith '' ( Press release ). National Basketball Association. December 22, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Rudnik, Jakub ( May 8, 2015 ). `` What We Learned About the Detroit Pistons During the 2014 - 15 NBA Season ''. Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 2014 - 15 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Foster, Terry ( June 11, 2015 ). `` Pistons get Ersan Ilyasova from Bucks for Butler, Williams ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Jahnke, James ; Ellis, Vince ( July 2, 2015 ). `` Pistons get small forward Marcus Morris in trade with Suns ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Jahnke, James ; Ellis, Vince ( July 3, 2015 ). `` Pistons agree to deal with Spurs center Baynes ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Ellis, Vince ( July 13, 2015 ). `` Pistons acquire Steve Blake for insurance at point ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Ellis, Vince ( June 26, 2015 ). `` Pistons draft Johnson No. 8 : ' We love Stanley 's skills ' ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Windhorst, Brian ( July 6, 2015 ). `` Sources : Reggie Jackson re-signs with Pistons on 5 - year, $80 M contract ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Youngmisuk, Ohm ( July 2, 2015 ). `` Greg Monroe chooses maximum deal with Bucks ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Beard, Rod ( November 2, 2015 ). `` Pistons ' Drummond named Eastern Conference player of the week ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Andre Drummond Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week ''. Pistons.com. November 9, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Nuggets hold off short - handed Pistons 103 - 92 ''. ESPN.com. February 11, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Morris, Drummond help Pistons beat Mavericks 102 - 96 ''. ESPN.com. March 10, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons use strong second half to get past Magic 108 - 104 ''. ESPN.com. April 6, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons head to playoffs for 1st time in 7 years with win over Wizards ''. ESPN.com. April 8, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Pemberton, Dave ( April 25, 2016 ). `` Pistons hoping to build on sweep by Cavaliers ''. The Oakland Press. Retrieved June 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Ellis, Vince ( April 25, 2016 ). `` Cleveland 100, Detroit 98 : Pistons one shot short, swept by Cavaliers ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Shea, Bill ( April 10, 2017 ). `` After 29 years, Pistons say goodbye to the Palace tonight ''. Crain 's Detroit Business. Retrieved June 27, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Beard, Rod ( April 11, 2017 ). `` Pistons ' fight back falls short in Palace finale ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved June 27, 2017. Jump up ^ Gurnick, Ken ( May 22, 1999 ). `` N.B.A. PLAYOFFS ; Farewell to Lakers, and to Forum ''. The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2017. Jump up ^ Block, Dustin ( November 22, 2016 ). `` Dan Gilbert : All 30 NBA arenas now in urban cores ''. ClickOnDetroit.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Ellis, Vince ( October 29, 2016 ). `` Tom Gores confirms Pistons ' very close ' to move downtown, and soon ''. Detroit Free Press. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 29, 2016. Jump up ^ Krupa, Gregg ( October 17, 2016 ). `` The Final Period Begins for Joe Louis Arena ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved November 1, 2016. Jump up ^ Hutchinson, Derick ( October 26, 2016 ). `` Detroit Pistons finalizing deal to move downtown, sources say ''. ClickOnDetroit.com. Graham Media Group. Retrieved October 30, 2016. Jump up ^ Ellis, Vince ( October 26, 2016 ). `` Detroit Pistons hammering out 2 key issues for downtown arena move ''. Detroit Free Press. Gannett Company. Retrieved October 29, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Pistons to Move to Downtown Detroit ''. NBA.com. November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Stafford, Katrease ( June 20, 2017 ). `` Detroit City Council OKs $34.5 M public funding for Pistons move ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 3, 2017. Jump up ^ Ellis, Vince ( August 3, 2017 ). `` NBA unanimously approves Pistons move downtown ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 3, 2017. Jump up ^ Shea, Bill ( August 3, 2017 ). `` NBA owners approve Pistons move to downtown Detroit ''. Crain 's Detroit Business. Retrieved August 3, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons Radio Network affiliates ''. Detroit Pistons. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ Beard, Rod ( May 24, 2017 ). `` Pistons returning to 97.1 FM The Ticket ''. The Detroit News. Retrieved May 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons Basketball on FS Detroit and FS PLUS ''. Detroit Pistons. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Going Retro : Detroit Pistons ''. National Basketball Association. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons Unveil First - Ever Motor City Uniforms '' ( Press release ). Detroit Pistons. August 14, 2013. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Chrome Jersey '' ( Press release ). Detroit Pistons. October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ Whitaker, Lang ( October 5, 2015 ). `` Detroit Pistons roll out new `` chrome '' uniforms ``. National Basketball Association. Retrieved October 28, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons Unveil Newly Updated Primary Logo ''. Detroit Pistons. May 16, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017. Jump up ^ Ellis, Vince ( May 16, 2017 ). `` New - but old ? Detroit Pistons unveil their next logo ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 17, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1948 - 49 Fort Wayne Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1949 - 50 Fort Wayne Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1950 - 51 Fort Wayne Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` 1951 - 52 Fort Wayne Pistons Roster and Stats ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Allen County War Memorial Coliseum - History ''. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Dow, Bill ( April 18, 2009 ). `` Reflections on the Humble Beginnings of the Detroit Pistons ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved November 24, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Pistons Get New Home ''. St. Petersburg Times. July 14, 1961. Retrieved November 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Coon, Larry. `` NBA Salary Cap FAQ -- 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement ''. Retrieved April 13, 2014. If the player is already under contract to, or signs a contract with a non-NBA team, the team retains the player 's draft rights for one year after the player 's obligation to the non-NBA team ends. Essentially, the clock stops as long as the player plays pro ball outside the NBA. Jump up ^ `` Pistons retire Billups ' jersey ''. NBA.com. February 10, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` All - Time Numerical Roster ''. Pistons.com. Retrieved June 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Pistons retire Ben Wallace 's jersey, honoring 2004 NBA champ ''. USA Today. January 16, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2017. Jump up ^ Monarrez, Carlos ( February 26, 2017 ). `` Rip Hamilton thanks whole family at Pistons jersey ceremony at Palace ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Savage, Brendan ( December 28, 2011 ). `` Detroit Pistons honor former owner Bill Davidson with banner in Palace rafters ''. MLive. Retrieved June 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Detroit Pistons mourn loss of legendary general manager Jack McCloskey ''. NBA.com. June 1, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Ellis, Vince ( October 30, 2015 ). `` Pistons ' Johnson, Jackson willing to switch numbers ''. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Quagliata, Ben ( June 29, 2016 ). `` Stanley Johnson changes his number out of respect for Ben Wallace ''. Detroit Bad Boys. Retrieved June 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Chirco, Vito ( March 7, 2017 ). `` Dumars was an important man in both Detroit Pistons dynasties ''. Detroit Athletic Co. Retrieved June 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Iott, Chris ( April 1, 2011 ). `` Pistons ' Greg Monroe on Dennis Rodman : ' He gave me his blessing ' to continue wearing No. 10 ''. MLive. Retrieved June 28, 2017. Jump up ^ Iott, Chris ( May 12, 2011 ). `` Pistons ' Greg Monroe likely to give up No. 10 jersey out of respect for Dennis Rodman ''. MLive. Retrieved June 28, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Andy Phillip ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dave DeBusschere ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bobby Houbregs ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bobby McDermott ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dave Bing ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Harry Gallatin ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bob Lanier ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Walt Bellamy ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dick McGuire ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` George Yardley ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bailey Howell ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bob McAdoo ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Isiah Thomas ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Earl Lloyd ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Joe Dumars ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Adrian Dantley ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dennis Rodman ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Nat Clifton ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Allen Iverson ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Tracy McGrady ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chuck Daly ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Larry Brown ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Dick Vitale ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 29, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Fred Zollner ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Bill Davidson ''. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Detroit Pistons Executives ''. Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Detroit Pistons : Players ''. Basketball Reference. 2017 - 04 - 18. Retrieved 2017 - 04 - 18. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA Rookie of the Year Award Winners ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Corliss Williamson Wins Sixth Man Award ''. Pistons.com. April 23, 2002. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA Coach of the Year Award Winners ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Detroit 's Dumars Named Executive of the Year ''. NBA.com. May 14, 2003. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Jump up ^ `` NBA Sportsmanship Award Winners ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award Winners ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Year - by - year All - NBA Teams ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Year - by - year NBA All - Rookie Teams ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Pretzer, Ryan ( February 16, 2007 ). `` Early Pistons All - Stars ''. Pistons.com. Retrieved August 29, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA All - Star Game MVPs ''. NBA.com. Retrieved August 30, 2017. Further reading Profile at sportsecyclopedia Profile at thedraftreview Profile at nbahoopsonline External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Detroit Pistons. Metro Detroit portal National Basketball Association portal Official website Detroit Pistons Founded in 1941 Formerly the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons ( 1941 -- 1948 ) and the Fort Wayne Pistons ( 1948 -- 1957 ) Based in Detroit, Michigan Franchise Franchise All - time roster Seasons Draft history Head coaches Current season Arenas North Side High School Gym Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Olympia Stadium Memorial Building Grosse Pointe High School Cobo Arena Pontiac Silverdome Joe Louis Arena The Palace of Auburn Hills Little Caesars Arena G League affiliate Grand Rapids Drive Retired numbers Bill Davidson Jack McCloskey 10 11 15 16 21 32 40 Hall of Famers Walt Bellamy Dave Bing Larry Brown Chuck Daly Adrian Dantley Dave DeBusschere Joe Dumars Harry Gallatin Bob Houbregs Bailey Howell Allen Iverson Bob Lanier Earl Lloyd Bob McAdoo Bobby McDermott Dick McGuire Andy Phillip Dennis Rodman Isiah Thomas George Yardley Fred Zollner NBA Championships ( 3 ) 1989 1990 Conference Championships ( 7 ) 1955 1956 1988 1989 1990 2005 Culture and lore Hooper Jordan Rules John Mason Pacers -- Pistons brawl Rivals Chicago Bulls Boston Celtics Los Angeles Lakers Broadcasters TV Fox Sports Detroit Radio WXYT - FM Announcers George Blaha Greg Kelser Mark Champion Rick Mahorn Links to related articles Fort Wayne / Detroit Pistons seasons Franchise Fort Wayne Pistons ( 1941 -- 1957 ) Detroit Pistons ( 1957 -- present ) NBL 1940s 1941 -- 42 1942 -- 43 1943 -- 44 1944 -- 45 1945 -- 46 1946 -- 47 1947 -- 48 NBA 1940s 1948 -- 49 1950s 1949 -- 50 1950 -- 51 1951 -- 52 1952 -- 53 1953 -- 54 1954 -- 55 1955 -- 56 1956 -- 57 1957 -- 58 1958 -- 59 1960s 1959 -- 60 1960 -- 61 1961 -- 62 1962 -- 63 1963 -- 64 1964 -- 65 1965 -- 66 1966 -- 67 1967 -- 68 1968 -- 69 1970s 1969 -- 70 1970 -- 71 1971 -- 72 1972 -- 73 1973 -- 74 1974 -- 75 1975 -- 76 1976 -- 77 1977 -- 78 1978 -- 79 1980s 1979 -- 80 1980 -- 81 1981 -- 82 1982 -- 83 1983 -- 84 1984 -- 85 1985 -- 86 1986 -- 87 1987 -- 88 1988 -- 89 1990s 1989 -- 90 1990 -- 91 1991 -- 92 1992 -- 93 1993 -- 94 1994 -- 95 1995 -- 96 1996 -- 97 1997 -- 98 1998 -- 99 2000s 1999 -- 00 2000 -- 01 2001 -- 02 2002 -- 03 2003 -- 04 2004 -- 05 2005 -- 06 2006 -- 07 2007 -- 08 2008 -- 09 2010s 2009 -- 10 2010 -- 11 2011 -- 12 2012 -- 13 2013 -- 14 2014 -- 15 2015 -- 16 2016 -- 17 2017 -- 18 Bold indicates NBA Finals victory Relocated National Basketball Association teams Tri-Cities Blackhawks -- Milwaukee Hawks ( 1951 ) Milwaukee Hawks -- St. Louis Hawks ( 1955 ) Fort Wayne Pistons -- Detroit Pistons ( 1957 ) Rochester Royals -- Cincinnati Royals ( 1957 ) Minneapolis Lakers -- Los Angeles Lakers ( 1960 ) Philadelphia Warriors -- San Francisco Warriors ( 1962 ) Chicago Zephyrs -- Baltimore Bullets ( 1963 ) Syracuse Nationals -- Philadelphia 76ers ( 1963 ) St. Louis Hawks -- Atlanta Hawks ( 1968 ) San Diego Rockets -- Houston Rockets ( 1971 ) Cincinnati Royals -- Kansas City -- Omaha Kings ( 1972 ) Baltimore Bullets -- Capital Bullets ( 1973 ) Kansas City -- Omaha Kings -- Kansas City Kings ( 1975 ) Buffalo Braves -- San Diego Clippers ( 1978 ) New Orleans Jazz -- Utah Jazz ( 1979 ) San Diego Clippers -- Los Angeles Clippers ( 1984 ) Kansas City Kings -- Sacramento Kings ( 1985 ) Vancouver Grizzlies -- Memphis Grizzlies ( 2001 ) Charlotte Hornets -- New Orleans Hornets ( 2002 ) New Orleans Hornets -- New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets ( 2005 ) New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets -- New Orleans Hornets ( 2007 ) Seattle SuperSonics -- Oklahoma City Thunder ( 2008 ) National Basketball Association Eastern Conference Atlantic Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets New York Knicks Philadelphia 76ers Toronto Raptors Central Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons Indiana Pacers Milwaukee Bucks Southeast Atlanta Hawks Charlotte Hornets Miami Heat Orlando Magic Washington Wizards Western Conference Northwest Denver Nuggets Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder Portland Trail Blazers Utah Jazz Pacific Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns Sacramento Kings Southwest Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Memphis Grizzlies New Orleans Pelicans San Antonio Spurs Annual events Draft Summer League Christmas Day All - 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Question: when did the pistons move to the palace
Answer: Prior to the 1988–89 season