Anthony
01-09-2006, 12:32 AM
In honor of the Pistons 100th consecutive sellout, Dave Howell - trusty assistant to Pistons.com's own Blog Man, Dave Wieme - has compiled a list of the top 100 Pistons Players of all time.
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/100thsellout225x150.gif
100. Micheal Williams – Always messes people up with spelling of first name. Deserves a spot on the list.
99. Donnis Butcher – A player and a coach for the Pistons. Some good years in the mid-60’s.
98. Orlando Woolridge – Big O, had no D…but could score in bunches. Great arms, intimidating.
97. Brook Steppe – All-name team
96. Justus Thigpen – Ditto from #97
95. David Thirdkill – Second Team All-Name
94. Mike James – Because if you are a fan of Dave Chappelle, you know what comes next.
93. Bubbles Hawkins – Ditto from #96
92. Litterial Green – Ditto from #93.
91. Smush Parker – Ditto from #92.
90. Ivano Newbill – Ditto from #91.
89. McCoy McLemore – Another all-name selection. How many Mc’s can you put in one name.
88. Korleone Young – On the list for his name…Korleone? As in Vito?
87. George Trapp – Another tragic story after basketball. Highland Park High School star.
86. Zeljko Rebraca – First real foreigner drafted by team. Blonde hair and body size made him unique. Crazy ticker.
85. Ben Poquette – Central Michigan product. That’s about it.
84. Olden Polynice – OP had some crazy hand signals. Could play when he wanted to and averaged 9.4 ppg and 9.1 rpg in two years.
83. Chuck Nevitt – Tallest player in Pistons history at 7’5”. Had tallest wife on the team at 6’5”.
82. Scott Hastings – Funniest guy to ever wear jersey. Member of 1990 championship team.
81. Fennis Dembo – On the list for great name. One year, one ring, done.
80. Paul Mokeski – Big Mo just looked uncomfortable running up and down the court…but he was big.
79. Darko Milicic
78. Bison Dele – Brian Williams early, Bison Dele late. Tragically lost.
77. Edgar Jones – EJ had a great “pharaoh-like” beard. Distracted from big space between his front teeth. Jumped and almost hit head on the rim.
76. Earl Cureton – Earl the Twirl. Great hops, bad j.
75. M.L. Carr – Known for waving towel with Boston, but averaged 14.8 ppg during three-year Pistons career.
74. Jon Barry – Bad hair, bad goatee, great jump shot. Fan favorite whose uniform was always dirty from diving on the floor.
73. Marvin Barnes – “Bad News” kept the PR guys hopping with his adventures and mouth.
72. Mark Macon – Shakin’ Bakin’ Mark Macon. Local high school product from Flint.
71. Walker Russell – “Walker D” had a following from Western Michigan.
70. Ricky Pierce
69. Howard Porter
68. Ron Lee – Known for throwing his body around and looking like he came from the set of The White Shadow.
67. Phil Hubbard – From Michigan, a local fan favorite.
66. Fred Zollner – A great owner with enough sense to move his team to Detroit…even it was just to be closer to suppliers.
65. Darvin Ham
64. Al Eberhard
63. Theo Ratliff
62. Jimmy Walker – Not JJ…this Jimmy Walker averaged 16.1 ppg.
61. Tom Van Arsdale
60. Rod Thorn – Later would fine Pistons more than his salary over tenure of time with the team.
59. Ray Scott – A player and a coach of the Pistons.
58. Curtis Rowe
57. Kevin Porter – KP holds Pistons record with 25 assists in a single game. Did it twice…like Isiah.
56. Cliff Levingston – Jumped out of the gym in rookie season. Nice “transition” player to championships.
55. Don Ohl
54. Rick Carlisle – Two 50 win seasons. Out for Hall of Famer.
53. Antonio McDyess
52. Flip Saunders – Earned spot based on 2005-06 start at 24-3.
51. Cliff Robinson – Uncle Cliffy. Weird because he was on 1990 Portland team the
50. Corliss Williamson – Member of 2004 Championship.
49. Bob McAdoo – Known mostly for what he DIDN’T do with the Pistons. Wore #11 before Isiah.
48. Adrian Dantley – Only three years with team, but averaged 20.3 ppg. Collision with Vinnie in Boston, trade to Dallas for Aguirre, feud with Isiah.
47. Howard Komives – Look him up. Late ‘60s, early ‘70s.
46. Greg Kelser – After 1979 NCAA Championship, joined Pistons. Frustrating three seasons, mostly because of injury, but still part of family as broadcaster.
45. Allan Houston
44. Happy Hairston – Averaged 17.3 ppg and 10.7 rpg in Detroit career.
43. Chris Ford – Seven seasons with the Pistons. 8.5 ppg and 3.5 apg. Missed only 10 games before being traded in ’78-79 season.
42. Bob Ferry
41. Larry Brown – Won a championship in 2004. Vagabond ways caught up and took him to New York in 2005.
40. James Edwards – “Buddha” would come in and get the 1989 and 1990 champions started with fade away, baseline jumpers.
39. Reggie Harding – Great player right out of high school. Tragically killed in 1972…shot on the streets of Detroit.
38. Michael Curry – Team leader at a tough time: teal years.
37. Kent Benson – Seven seasons with the Pistons. Big man who averaged 9.6 ppg during the early ‘80s.
36. Chucky Atkins – Three-point range. Part of deal with Ben Wallace that sent Grant Hill to Orlando.
35. Eric Money
34. William Bedford – Trouble and disappointment. Pistons couldn’t give up on height and potential.
33. Terry Mills – More than 475 games with the Pistons.
32. Dick Vitale – Tried to Re-Vitale-ize the Pistons. Failed and was fired by Mr. Davidson. Best thing that ever happened to him.
31. John Salley – Spider was a great role player. Back-to-Back Bad Boy.
30. Jerry Stackhouse – Explosive, dynamic, great in the community. The face of the organization…for a while.
29. Terry Dischinger – In six seasons, shot over .500 from the field and averaged 12.2 ppg.
28. Don Reid – The Chief was a loyal and rock-solid “fill-in” player.
27. John Long – Rock-steady-John-Eddie
26. Rasheed Wallace – Great teammate with loads of talent. Known for infectious attitude and timely three-point shooting. "Ball Don’t Lie" has become a catch-phrase for the new generation. The key to the 2004 NBA Championship.
25. Terry Tyler – U of Detroit grad spent seven years with the Pistons, never missing a game (574 consecutive games). Still ranks among the Pistons all-time Top Ten in games (574), rebounds (3583), steals (615), and blocked shots (1,070).
24. Walter Dukes – Another hold-over from Fort Wayne. Two-time All-Star patrolled the lane in Detroit for six years, averaging over 10 points and 10 rebounds per year. One of the first seven-footers in the NBA, battled the likes of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain every night.
23. Mark Aguirre – Though only with the Pistons for five years, his acquisition during the 1988-89 season gave the Pistons additional scoring on the way to back-to-back championships.
Tripucka
22. Kelly Tripucka – Smooth shooting, two-time All-Star spent five years with the Pistons averaging 21.6 ppg including a then-team record 56 points in one game in 1983. Known for the high socks, mullet and ‘stache.
21. Rick Mahorn – The “baddest Bad Boy” and one of the most popular Pistons of all time. Physical, intimidating, intense and smart. Mahorn protected the Bad Boys during their run to the 1989 NBA Championship.
20. Dick McGuire – One of the smoothest guards in league history, McGuire spent three years as the Pistons floor leader. Dished assists to George Yardley and then spent three years on the bench as Pistons head coach.
19. Gene Shue – A holdover from Ft. Wayne, Shue spent four years with the Pistons from 1957-62. In the Top Ten in six Pistons all-time categories. , Ended time with Pistons as career leader in points, assists, field goals made, free throws made, and minutes.
Prince
18. Tayshaun Prince – Deceptive, smart and incessant. Picked late in the 2002 Draft. Won a 2004 NBA Championship. Will forever be known for “The Block” in 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.
17. Bailey Howell - 1997 NBA Hall-of-Fame inductee. Played in the 1960’s but still ranks in the Pistons career Top Ten in points and scoring average.
16. Richard Hamilton – The masked Energizer bunny is already in the Pistons All-Time top ten for scoring average at 18.7 ppg. Averaged more than 21.0 ppg in 2004 NBA Championship.
15. Grant Hill – 1995 Rookie of the Year and five-time All-Star. Link between Bad Boys and Deeeetroit Basketballlll. Great all-around player and an even better person.
Hill & Hunter
14. Lindsey Hunter – A pass-first point guard, scorer, and lock-down defender. Two different stints with Pistons including being a key piece in the 2004 Championship and 2005 trip to the NBA Finals.
13. Chuck Daly – “Daddy Rich” guided the Bad Boys to back-to-back championships while amassing a career record of 538-313. Always resplendent on the sidelines. A master strategist and blender of personalities.
12. Dennis Rodman – Arguably the best rebounder and interior defender in NBA history. Amassed over 6,200 rebounds in his seven years with the Pistons. Most colorful player in Pistons history.
Johnson
11. Vinnie Johnson – One of the greatest clutch shooters and known for the dramatic. Hit game winner in Game Five of 1990 NBA Finals with 0:07 on the clock. Best nickname – "The Microwave", because he could heat up in a hurry.
10. Bill Laimbeer – The original “Bad Boy.” Gladly wore the black hat and was known for intense defense, rebounding, and intimidation. Won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. Pistons all-time leader in rebounds.
9. George Yardley –The first great Detroit Pistons player. Was the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in a season, including a nine-game stretch of games scoring 49, 48, 44, 43, and 41 points. Played in the ‘50s and ‘60s without the exposure of today’s players.
Billups & Wallace
8. Chauncey Billups – Mr. Big Shot was the 2004 Finals MVP. In the mold of Isiah and Joe before him, has become a leader and deadly clutch player.
7. Dave DeBusschere – Mr. All-Everything: All-Star, All-Defensive, All-NBA. Detroit’s native son, DeBusschere spent six years with the Pistons, including a three-year stint as player-coach.
6. William Davidson – Not a player, but most committed owner in history of franchise. Three NBA Championships, 30+ years of ownership, first team to have a plane, The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mr. D is the most innovative owner in sports.
5. Ben Wallace – Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. 2004 NBA Championship Team. Pistons all-time leader in blocked shots and ranks 4th all-time in rebounds. The heart and soul, and afro, of today’s Pistons.
Dumars & Thomas
4. Bob Lanier – A 1991 NBA Hall of Famer. Eight-time NBA All-Star. Still holds the franchise record with a 22.7 ppg career scoring average. Played at a time when the team wasn’t so good.
3. Joe Dumars – Spent his entire 14-year career with the Pistons. Great leader, great gentleman. Back-to-back NBA titles. MVP of the 1989 NBA Finals. Won another title in 2004 as a Pistons executive.
2. Dave Bing –1967 NBA Rookie of the Year. Career scoring average of 22.6 ppg. Still ranks among the Pistons all-time top ten in eight categories. Like Lanier, played at a time when the Pistons weren’t so good.
1. Isiah Thomas – Leader of the Bad Boys. Two World Championships. The face of the organization. All-time Pistons leader in points, assists and steals. Only wore a Pistons uniform during his Hall of Fame career.
Ok, the only things I have beef with are, how the hell is Michael Curry and Darvin Ham on this list? And, I would have put Ben and Joe infront of Bing, because Ben and Joe won a ship.
http://www.nba.com/media/pistons/100thsellout225x150.gif
100. Micheal Williams – Always messes people up with spelling of first name. Deserves a spot on the list.
99. Donnis Butcher – A player and a coach for the Pistons. Some good years in the mid-60’s.
98. Orlando Woolridge – Big O, had no D…but could score in bunches. Great arms, intimidating.
97. Brook Steppe – All-name team
96. Justus Thigpen – Ditto from #97
95. David Thirdkill – Second Team All-Name
94. Mike James – Because if you are a fan of Dave Chappelle, you know what comes next.
93. Bubbles Hawkins – Ditto from #96
92. Litterial Green – Ditto from #93.
91. Smush Parker – Ditto from #92.
90. Ivano Newbill – Ditto from #91.
89. McCoy McLemore – Another all-name selection. How many Mc’s can you put in one name.
88. Korleone Young – On the list for his name…Korleone? As in Vito?
87. George Trapp – Another tragic story after basketball. Highland Park High School star.
86. Zeljko Rebraca – First real foreigner drafted by team. Blonde hair and body size made him unique. Crazy ticker.
85. Ben Poquette – Central Michigan product. That’s about it.
84. Olden Polynice – OP had some crazy hand signals. Could play when he wanted to and averaged 9.4 ppg and 9.1 rpg in two years.
83. Chuck Nevitt – Tallest player in Pistons history at 7’5”. Had tallest wife on the team at 6’5”.
82. Scott Hastings – Funniest guy to ever wear jersey. Member of 1990 championship team.
81. Fennis Dembo – On the list for great name. One year, one ring, done.
80. Paul Mokeski – Big Mo just looked uncomfortable running up and down the court…but he was big.
79. Darko Milicic
78. Bison Dele – Brian Williams early, Bison Dele late. Tragically lost.
77. Edgar Jones – EJ had a great “pharaoh-like” beard. Distracted from big space between his front teeth. Jumped and almost hit head on the rim.
76. Earl Cureton – Earl the Twirl. Great hops, bad j.
75. M.L. Carr – Known for waving towel with Boston, but averaged 14.8 ppg during three-year Pistons career.
74. Jon Barry – Bad hair, bad goatee, great jump shot. Fan favorite whose uniform was always dirty from diving on the floor.
73. Marvin Barnes – “Bad News” kept the PR guys hopping with his adventures and mouth.
72. Mark Macon – Shakin’ Bakin’ Mark Macon. Local high school product from Flint.
71. Walker Russell – “Walker D” had a following from Western Michigan.
70. Ricky Pierce
69. Howard Porter
68. Ron Lee – Known for throwing his body around and looking like he came from the set of The White Shadow.
67. Phil Hubbard – From Michigan, a local fan favorite.
66. Fred Zollner – A great owner with enough sense to move his team to Detroit…even it was just to be closer to suppliers.
65. Darvin Ham
64. Al Eberhard
63. Theo Ratliff
62. Jimmy Walker – Not JJ…this Jimmy Walker averaged 16.1 ppg.
61. Tom Van Arsdale
60. Rod Thorn – Later would fine Pistons more than his salary over tenure of time with the team.
59. Ray Scott – A player and a coach of the Pistons.
58. Curtis Rowe
57. Kevin Porter – KP holds Pistons record with 25 assists in a single game. Did it twice…like Isiah.
56. Cliff Levingston – Jumped out of the gym in rookie season. Nice “transition” player to championships.
55. Don Ohl
54. Rick Carlisle – Two 50 win seasons. Out for Hall of Famer.
53. Antonio McDyess
52. Flip Saunders – Earned spot based on 2005-06 start at 24-3.
51. Cliff Robinson – Uncle Cliffy. Weird because he was on 1990 Portland team the
50. Corliss Williamson – Member of 2004 Championship.
49. Bob McAdoo – Known mostly for what he DIDN’T do with the Pistons. Wore #11 before Isiah.
48. Adrian Dantley – Only three years with team, but averaged 20.3 ppg. Collision with Vinnie in Boston, trade to Dallas for Aguirre, feud with Isiah.
47. Howard Komives – Look him up. Late ‘60s, early ‘70s.
46. Greg Kelser – After 1979 NCAA Championship, joined Pistons. Frustrating three seasons, mostly because of injury, but still part of family as broadcaster.
45. Allan Houston
44. Happy Hairston – Averaged 17.3 ppg and 10.7 rpg in Detroit career.
43. Chris Ford – Seven seasons with the Pistons. 8.5 ppg and 3.5 apg. Missed only 10 games before being traded in ’78-79 season.
42. Bob Ferry
41. Larry Brown – Won a championship in 2004. Vagabond ways caught up and took him to New York in 2005.
40. James Edwards – “Buddha” would come in and get the 1989 and 1990 champions started with fade away, baseline jumpers.
39. Reggie Harding – Great player right out of high school. Tragically killed in 1972…shot on the streets of Detroit.
38. Michael Curry – Team leader at a tough time: teal years.
37. Kent Benson – Seven seasons with the Pistons. Big man who averaged 9.6 ppg during the early ‘80s.
36. Chucky Atkins – Three-point range. Part of deal with Ben Wallace that sent Grant Hill to Orlando.
35. Eric Money
34. William Bedford – Trouble and disappointment. Pistons couldn’t give up on height and potential.
33. Terry Mills – More than 475 games with the Pistons.
32. Dick Vitale – Tried to Re-Vitale-ize the Pistons. Failed and was fired by Mr. Davidson. Best thing that ever happened to him.
31. John Salley – Spider was a great role player. Back-to-Back Bad Boy.
30. Jerry Stackhouse – Explosive, dynamic, great in the community. The face of the organization…for a while.
29. Terry Dischinger – In six seasons, shot over .500 from the field and averaged 12.2 ppg.
28. Don Reid – The Chief was a loyal and rock-solid “fill-in” player.
27. John Long – Rock-steady-John-Eddie
26. Rasheed Wallace – Great teammate with loads of talent. Known for infectious attitude and timely three-point shooting. "Ball Don’t Lie" has become a catch-phrase for the new generation. The key to the 2004 NBA Championship.
25. Terry Tyler – U of Detroit grad spent seven years with the Pistons, never missing a game (574 consecutive games). Still ranks among the Pistons all-time Top Ten in games (574), rebounds (3583), steals (615), and blocked shots (1,070).
24. Walter Dukes – Another hold-over from Fort Wayne. Two-time All-Star patrolled the lane in Detroit for six years, averaging over 10 points and 10 rebounds per year. One of the first seven-footers in the NBA, battled the likes of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain every night.
23. Mark Aguirre – Though only with the Pistons for five years, his acquisition during the 1988-89 season gave the Pistons additional scoring on the way to back-to-back championships.
Tripucka
22. Kelly Tripucka – Smooth shooting, two-time All-Star spent five years with the Pistons averaging 21.6 ppg including a then-team record 56 points in one game in 1983. Known for the high socks, mullet and ‘stache.
21. Rick Mahorn – The “baddest Bad Boy” and one of the most popular Pistons of all time. Physical, intimidating, intense and smart. Mahorn protected the Bad Boys during their run to the 1989 NBA Championship.
20. Dick McGuire – One of the smoothest guards in league history, McGuire spent three years as the Pistons floor leader. Dished assists to George Yardley and then spent three years on the bench as Pistons head coach.
19. Gene Shue – A holdover from Ft. Wayne, Shue spent four years with the Pistons from 1957-62. In the Top Ten in six Pistons all-time categories. , Ended time with Pistons as career leader in points, assists, field goals made, free throws made, and minutes.
Prince
18. Tayshaun Prince – Deceptive, smart and incessant. Picked late in the 2002 Draft. Won a 2004 NBA Championship. Will forever be known for “The Block” in 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.
17. Bailey Howell - 1997 NBA Hall-of-Fame inductee. Played in the 1960’s but still ranks in the Pistons career Top Ten in points and scoring average.
16. Richard Hamilton – The masked Energizer bunny is already in the Pistons All-Time top ten for scoring average at 18.7 ppg. Averaged more than 21.0 ppg in 2004 NBA Championship.
15. Grant Hill – 1995 Rookie of the Year and five-time All-Star. Link between Bad Boys and Deeeetroit Basketballlll. Great all-around player and an even better person.
Hill & Hunter
14. Lindsey Hunter – A pass-first point guard, scorer, and lock-down defender. Two different stints with Pistons including being a key piece in the 2004 Championship and 2005 trip to the NBA Finals.
13. Chuck Daly – “Daddy Rich” guided the Bad Boys to back-to-back championships while amassing a career record of 538-313. Always resplendent on the sidelines. A master strategist and blender of personalities.
12. Dennis Rodman – Arguably the best rebounder and interior defender in NBA history. Amassed over 6,200 rebounds in his seven years with the Pistons. Most colorful player in Pistons history.
Johnson
11. Vinnie Johnson – One of the greatest clutch shooters and known for the dramatic. Hit game winner in Game Five of 1990 NBA Finals with 0:07 on the clock. Best nickname – "The Microwave", because he could heat up in a hurry.
10. Bill Laimbeer – The original “Bad Boy.” Gladly wore the black hat and was known for intense defense, rebounding, and intimidation. Won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. Pistons all-time leader in rebounds.
9. George Yardley –The first great Detroit Pistons player. Was the first NBA player to score 2,000 points in a season, including a nine-game stretch of games scoring 49, 48, 44, 43, and 41 points. Played in the ‘50s and ‘60s without the exposure of today’s players.
Billups & Wallace
8. Chauncey Billups – Mr. Big Shot was the 2004 Finals MVP. In the mold of Isiah and Joe before him, has become a leader and deadly clutch player.
7. Dave DeBusschere – Mr. All-Everything: All-Star, All-Defensive, All-NBA. Detroit’s native son, DeBusschere spent six years with the Pistons, including a three-year stint as player-coach.
6. William Davidson – Not a player, but most committed owner in history of franchise. Three NBA Championships, 30+ years of ownership, first team to have a plane, The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mr. D is the most innovative owner in sports.
5. Ben Wallace – Three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. 2004 NBA Championship Team. Pistons all-time leader in blocked shots and ranks 4th all-time in rebounds. The heart and soul, and afro, of today’s Pistons.
Dumars & Thomas
4. Bob Lanier – A 1991 NBA Hall of Famer. Eight-time NBA All-Star. Still holds the franchise record with a 22.7 ppg career scoring average. Played at a time when the team wasn’t so good.
3. Joe Dumars – Spent his entire 14-year career with the Pistons. Great leader, great gentleman. Back-to-back NBA titles. MVP of the 1989 NBA Finals. Won another title in 2004 as a Pistons executive.
2. Dave Bing –1967 NBA Rookie of the Year. Career scoring average of 22.6 ppg. Still ranks among the Pistons all-time top ten in eight categories. Like Lanier, played at a time when the Pistons weren’t so good.
1. Isiah Thomas – Leader of the Bad Boys. Two World Championships. The face of the organization. All-time Pistons leader in points, assists and steals. Only wore a Pistons uniform during his Hall of Fame career.
Ok, the only things I have beef with are, how the hell is Michael Curry and Darvin Ham on this list? And, I would have put Ben and Joe infront of Bing, because Ben and Joe won a ship.