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Detroit PistonsThe 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 Silverdome was the home of the NFL's Detroit Lions at the time.) 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. With their physical style of play, and intensity with opponents, the Pistons gained the nickname "Bad Boys." 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. Even when Grant Hill played with the Pistons, they could not win a playoff series, losing to the Orlando Magic in 1996, and to the Atlanta Hawks in 1997 and again in 1999. Hill was traded to Orlando after the 2000 season. 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 Rasheed Wallace. Coached by Hall of Fame inductee Larry Brown, the Pistons have returned to prominence, winning the 2004 NBA Championship. However, on November 19, 2004, the Detroit Pistons were involved in a massive brawl at the Palace of Auburn Hills during a losing home game against the Indiana Pacers. After fouling Pistons' Ben Wallace, Pacer Ron Artest was hit by a cup while lying down on the judges' table. This caused Artest to rush into the stands and attack some fans. Other Pacers such as Jermaine O'Neal fought with fans who had flooded onto the court. A month later, five Pacers and seven fans were charged after being involved in the "basketbrawl." See also: November 19, 2004 disturbance at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Current Roster Starters
Position - Name - How acquired Bench - PG - Carlos Arroyo - Trade with Utah Jazz, mid 2004-2005 season.
- PG - Lindsey Hunter - Trade with Toronto Raptors, 2003 offseason, resigned 2004.
- G - 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/C - Darko Milicic - Drafted 2 overall, 2003 NBA draft
- C - Elden Campbell - Signed as a FA, March 2005
Players of note Not to be forgotten: Retired numbers: Coaches and others Basketball Hall of Famers: External links
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