Detroit Pistons

The franchise originated in Fort Wayne, Indiana, under automobile-piston manufacturer Fred Zollner. Its name reflected his business.⁠[1]

The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons played in the NBL from 1941 to 1948, moved to the BAA for 1948–49, and joined the merged NBA in 1949. Zollner helped bring the two leagues together.⁠[2]

They won consecutive NBL championships in 1944 and 1945.⁠[3]

After two NBA Finals appearances in the 1950s, Zollner moved the team to Detroit in 1957. He retained a name suited to the city’s automotive industry. The club used Olympia Stadium for four seasons before moving to Cobo Arena in 1961.⁠[1]

Bill Davidson bought the Pistons from Zollner and later privately financed the Palace of Auburn Hills, which opened in 1988. The club won three NBA championships during his long ownership.⁠[4]

Isiah Thomas led the Bad Boys to consecutive championships and earned the 1990 Finals MVP award.⁠[5]

Joe Dumars averaged 28 points in the 1989 Finals sweep of the Lakers and was named Finals MVP.⁠[6]

Grant Hill was traded to the Orlando Magic, and Ben Wallace joined Detroit.⁠[1]

With Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace at their core, the Pistons defeated the Lakers in the Finals. Billups, whose leadership emphasized team play and defense, won Finals MVP.⁠[7]

Ben Wallace anchored the defense and won Defensive Player of the Year four times in his career.⁠[8]

On May 31, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale to Tom Gores and Platinum Equity. The transaction also included Palace Sports and Entertainment and its sports and entertainment operations.⁠[9]

The sale closed on June 1.⁠[10]

The Pistons moved to Little Caesars Arena.⁠[11]

The season included 28 consecutive losses.⁠[12]

J.B. Bickerstaff became head coach.⁠[13]

Detroit returned to the playoffs at 44–38.⁠[14]

Detroit led the East at 60–22.⁠[15]

Detroit lost the second round 4–3 to the Cavaliers.⁠[16]

Little Caesars Arena, on Woodward Avenue in Detroit, is shared by the Pistons and the NHLNHLThe National Hockey League (NHL) is a men’s professional ice hockey league with clubs in the United States and Canada. Founded in Montreal in 1917, it comprises 32 teams and awards the Stanley Cup to its playoff champion.Open the full entry’s Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. An Original Six member of the National Hockey League (NHL), they play at Little Caesars Arena.Open the full entry.⁠[17]

Detroit Pistons: Official website: https://www.nba.com/pistons/ (opens in a new window).⁠[18]

Detroit Pistons: X: https://x.com/DetroitPistons (opens in a new window).⁠[19]

Detroit Pistons: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroitpistons/ (opens in a new window).⁠[20]

Detroit Pistons: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detroitpistons (opens in a new window).⁠[21]

Detroit Pistons: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@PistonsTV (opens in a new window).⁠[22]