The Detroit Pistons were founded in 1941 as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons before moving to the Motor City in 1957. They are known for their iconic royal blue, red, and white colors. The franchise has captured three NBA championships (1989, 1990, 2004).
Their legacy is built on a “Goin’ to Work” mentality, defined by the legendary “Bad Boys” era and a commitment to tough, defensive basketball. Tom Gores has served as the team’s owner since 2011.
Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Ben Wallace, and Grant Hill are among the generational greats who have donned the Pistons jersey. Here are the 10 greatest Detroit Pistons players in NBA history.
List of the Top 10 Greatest Detroit Pistons Players of All Time
10. Dennis Rodman
Rodman was one of the greatest defenders and rebounders in NBA history. Playing for the Pistons from 1986 to 1993, he won two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards (1990, 1991). During his time in Detroit, Rodman averaged 8.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He led the league in rebounding twice while with the Pistons and made two All-Star teams.
9. Dave Bing
Bing played for the Pistons from 1966 to 1975, becoming one of the NBA’s top scorers of his era. A seven-time All-Star, he averaged 22.6 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game. Bing led the Pistons in scoring for seven straight seasons and won the NBA scoring title in 1968 with 27.1 points per game. He was a three-time All-NBA selection and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
8. Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton played for Detroit from 2002 to 2011. He averaged 18.4 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game. A three-time All-Star, Hamilton was known for his elite mid-range shooting and relentless off-ball movement. He ranks fourth in franchise history in points (11,582) and played a vital role in the Pistons’ six straight Eastern Conference Finals appearances from 2003 to 2008.
7. Grant Hill
Grant Hill was one of the NBA’s most versatile players during his time with the Pistons from 1994 to 2000. In his six seasons in Detroit, he averaged 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He made five All-Star teams and earned four All-NBA selections while with the Pistons. Hill was the 1995 Co-Rookie of the Year and was often compared to Michael Jordan due to his all-around game.
6. Bob Lanier
Bob Lanier is an eight-time All-Star (seven with Detroit). He averaged 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. He remains the Pistons’ all-time leader in career points per game (22.7) and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992. His combination of size, skill, and versatility made him a nightmare matchup for opponents.
5. Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups played for Detroit from 2002 to 2008 and later returned in 2013, earning five All-Star selections. Billups averaged 16.5 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game in his Pistons career. He was also a three-time All-NBA selection and twice made the All-Defensive Team.
4. Bill Laimbeer
Laimbeer was one of the most physical and tough centers in NBA history, a defining figure in the “Bad Boys” Pistons. Playing for Detroit from 1982 to 1993, he won two championships in 1989 and 1990. A four-time All-Star, Laimbeer averaged 13.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He led the NBA in rebounds in 1986 (13.1 RPG) and retired as one of only 19 players in NBA history with over 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds.
3. Ben Wallace
Wallace, a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was the backbone of the Pistons’ 2004 championship team. Despite being undrafted, Wallace became one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history. He played for Detroit from 2000 to 2006 and then returned from 2009 to 2012, averaging 6.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.
He led the league in rebounds twice and blocks once. Wallace made four All-Star teams and was named to five All-NBA and six All-Defensive Teams. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, making history as the first undrafted player to achieve this honor.
2. Joe Dumars
Dumars was a key part of the Pistons’ back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. He was named Finals MVP in 1989 after averaging 27.3 points per game against the Lakers. Spending his entire 14-year career with the Pistons (1985–1999), he was known for his lockdown defense and clutch shooting.
Dumars was a six-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection, and a five-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree. He averaged 16.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game and is second in franchise history in points (16,401) and assists (4,612).
Who is the Greatest Detroit Pistons Player in Franchise History?
Isiah Thomas is widely regarded as the greatest player in Detroit Pistons history. He was named Finals MVP in 1990 after averaging 27.6 points and 7 assists in the series. Over his 13-year career with the Pistons (1981–1994), he averaged 19.2 points, 9.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game. Thomas, a 12-time All-Star, also made five All-NBA teams. He remains the franchise leader in points (18,822), assists (9,061), and steals (1,861).
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Boston Celtics Players in NBA History
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many NBA championships have the Pistons won?
Three. They won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990, and a third in 2004 after a dominant upset over the star-studded Lakers.
Who were the “Bad Boys”? The late 80s/early 90s roster.
Led by Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Rick Mahorn, they were famous for their physical, intimidating, and defensive style of play.
Which Piston has won the most Defensive Player of the Year awards?
Ben Wallace. “Big Ben” won the award four times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006), tying the NBA record for the most DPOY honors in history.
Where do the Pistons play their home games?
Little Caesars Arena. Located in Midtown Detroit, the team moved there in 2017 after nearly 30 years at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
