What’s new with the Detroit Pistons? That’s what this page is all about.

The Team Spirit FAST BREAK website begins where the Team Spirit books end.

That’s because basketball never stands still … And I can never squeeze everything I want into 48 pages!

Take a look at some of the Pistons collectibles I have in my home.

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Updates

2023-24 Season

Season Preview: The Pistons have collected a ton of talent over the last few years, but have struggled to win more than a third of their games. Enter new coach Monty Williams, who worked wonders with young players in Phoenix. He won’t have to do too much with guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, who seem to get better each week. If Coach Williams can flip the switch on Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman, and Jalen Duren—and turn them into dominant big men—the Pistons could finally get back on the winning track.

2022-23 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons took a step backwards after their best player, 21-year-old Cade Cunningham, suffered a fractured shin after just 12 games. Veteran newcomer Bojan Bogdanovic did his best to provide leadership and scoring, but he missed more than 20 games, too. Detroit finished with just 17 wins—six fewer than the year before. On the bright side, several young players gained valuable experience, including Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Killian Hayes. In February, the Pistons were part of a four-team trade and improved their team by receiving rising star James Wiseman.

Season Preview: Does any team in the NBA have better young talent than the Pistons? We shall see. Detroit begins the year with a pair of 2022 lottery picks, Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey. They join a core of potential rising stars that includes Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, and Isaiah Stewart. Newcomer Bojan Bogdanovic gives the team important veteran experience, while Cade Cunningham give the Pistons a superstar player to build around. A trip to the playoffs may not be there for Detroit at the end of the year, but it isn’t too far away.

2021-22 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons fell short of the playoffs for the third year in a row, but Detroit fans got to watch the NBA’s #1 draft pick, Cade Cunnigham, gain experience and put on a show with his scoring, passing, and rebounding. Two other young stars‚ Isaiah Stewart and Killian Hayes, also saw lots of court time, while a big trade brought center Marvin Bagley III to Detroit. Add Saddiq Bey, who improved greatly in his second year, and you have the makings of an exciting future in Motor City.

February 02, 2022: Cade Cunnigham was named Rookie of the Month for January after averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists per game in January.

Season Preview: No team was busier than the Pistons during the off-season. They aim to rebuild in 2021–22 around Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey, and rookie guard Cade Cunningham. Despite a losing season last year, Detroit played solid defense. Shooting and ball-handling will be the main areas of improvement for the club this season.

2020-21 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons finished the year 20–52, the second-worst record in the league. Veteran Jermai Grant, in his first year with Detroit, was a bright spot with 22.3 points per game. Rookie Isaiah Stewart played great defense as the club’s backup center. Fellow rookie Saddiq Bey also had a good year, making his mark as a three-point shooter.

Season Preview: The Pistons’ climb back to playoff contender begins in 2021 with their #1 draft pick, Killian Hayes. The French guard has the skills and maturity of a veteran and could be one of the NBA’s biggest stories this season. Hayes is one of many young Pistons who will learn from veteran All-Stars Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose.

2019-20 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons just made it to 20 wins after finishing 41–41 the year before. As usual, Andre Drummond was a rebounding machine, but two of their best scorers, Blake Griffin and Luke Kennard, were unable to stay healthy. The Pistons traded Drummond to Cleveland in February. Veteran Derek Rose was great off the bench for Detroit, and actually led the team in assists despite only starting 15 times. The team may be making a bunch of trades before next season.

Season Preview: Blake Griffin, Derrick Rose, and Andre Drummond have logged a lot of miles in the NBA, but playing together they can beat anyone in the league. If Detroit’s Big Three stays health and productive, and Reggie Jackson steps up his game as a shooting guard, the Pistons could be a handful. They are always tough on defense and under the boards.

2018-19 Season

Season Recap: Detroit squeaked into the playoffs with a 41–41 record, but ran into the red-hot Bucks, who swept the Pistons in four games. Center Andre Drummond was a force in the middle, leading the NBA in rebounding for the third time. Blake Griffin was healthy for the first time in years and made the All-Star Game. He led the club with a career-high 24.5 points per game. Point guard Reggie Jackson had another good season, hitting clutch baskets and setting up Detroit’s two big men.

April 10, 2019: Andre Drummond finished the regular season as the NBA’s rebounding leader, with 15.6 per game. He also led the league with 69 “double-doubles.”

October 23, 2018: Blake Griffin scored 50 points in a thrilling 133–132 victory over the 76ers. It was his first 50-point game as a Piston.

Season Preview: Detroit fans will be watching three players closely in 2018–19: point guard Reggie Jackson, forward Blake Griffin and center Andre Drummond. If their games mesh to perfection, the Pistons could be a 50-win team. The role players surrounding them will also need to contribute. New coach Dwane Casey will have a busy season!

2017-18 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons drew plenty of fans to their new arena in downtown Detroit, but missed the playoffs by four wins. They went 25–16 at home but struggled on the road. Blake Griffin led the Pistons in scoring and assists after being traded to Detroit, while Andre Drummond led the NBA for the second time, with 16.0 rebounds a game.

January 30, 2018: The Pistons traded for power forward Blake Griffin. Griffin was an NBA All-Star five years in a row for the Los Angeles Clippers.

January 24, 2018: Andre Drummond pulled down 24 rebounds in a game against the Utah Jazz. He became the youngest player in history to reach 2,000 offensive rebounds during the game.

Season Preview: The Pistons added defense and shooting over the summer in their trade for Avery Bradley and drafting of Duke 3-point specialist Duke Kennard. Center Andre Drummond still needs better players around him. Will Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson improve enough to be those players? Detroit fans sure hope so.

2016-17 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons played their final season in the Palace at Auburn Hills before moving back to downtown Detroit. The team finished last in the division despite solid (but unspectacular) seasons from Andre Drummond, Marcus Morris, and Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, and super-subs Tobias Harris and Ish Smith.

2015-16 Season

Season Preview: Center Andre Drummond is a monster talent who will get better and better. The team’s two other young stars—Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Stanley Johnson—should also gain confidence in 2015–16. That’s good news for Detroit fans, who have been starved for a playoff team for a long time.

2014-15 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons finished last in the Central Division with a 32–50 record. Eight different players averaged double-figures in points, but Detroit’s three exciting young leaders—Greg Monroe, Andre Drummond, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope—were unable to make the Pistons a consistent winner.

March 11, 2015: Andre Drummond grabbed 25 rebounds in a game against the Golden State Warriors. No one in the league had more rebounds in a game during the season.

February 19, 2015: After 2 ½ years away from Detroit, all-time fan favorite Tayshaun Prince returned to the Pistons in a trade with the Boston Celtics.

January 21, 2015: Brandon Jennings scored 24 points and added 21 assists in a victory over the Orlando Magic. He was the first player in 6 years to have a “20–20” game. Four days later, Jennings suffered a season-ending leg injury.

Season Preview: The Pistons are a team with some big names but without a take-charge star. The team hopes that leader will emerge this year. Will it be a veteran like Brandon Jennings or Josh Smith? Or an up-and-coming player like Andre Drummond or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? It will be new coach Stan Van Gundy’s job to find out.

2013-14 Season

Season Recap: The Pistons spent the last few years assembling a group of talented young players. Hopes were high they would boost Detroit into the 2014 playoffs, but the team fell short with a 29–53 record. The disappointing season cost coach Maurice Cheeks his job, but fans got to cheer for some of the NBA’s most exciting young players, including Brandon Jennings and Andre Drummond.

April 10, 2019: Andre Drummond finished the regular season as the NBA’s rebounding leader, with 15.6 per game. He also led the league with 69 “double-doubles.”

More Go-To Guys

Had Jimmy Walker played on a better team, he might be in the Hall of Fame today. He was a nightmare to guard. (Topps, Inc.)

I love this In Your Face pose because that wasn’t Grant Hill at all. He was known for good sportsmanship throughout his NBA career. (The Upper Deck Company)

  • Jimmy Walker — 6′ 3″ Guard
    Born: 4/8/1944
    Died: 7/2/2007
    Played for Team: 1967–68 to 1971–72
    Jimmy Walker was an All-Star twice for the Pistons in the 1970s. He could score from anywhere on the court, and was one of the greatest free throw shooters in league history.

  • Vinnie Johnson — 6′ 2″ Guard
    Born: 9/1/1956
    Played for Team: 1981–82 to 1990–91
    Johnson was a true “super-sub” for the Pistons. He could replace either of the team’s two All-Star guards. His scoring streaks and accurate long-distance shooting made “The Microwave” one of the team’s most valuable weapons.our Content Goes Here

  • Mark Aguirre — 6′ 6″ Forward
    Born: 12/10/1959
    Played for Team: 1988–89 to 1992–93
    The Pistons traded high-scoring Adrian Dantley and a first-round pick to bring Mark Aguirre to Detroit. His toughness and talent proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle. The Pistons won championships two years in a row after he arrived.

  • Grant Hill — 6′ 8″ Forward
    Born: 10/5/1972
    Played for Team: 1994–95 to 1999–00
    Grant Hill ranked among the NBA’s top small forwards in his years with the Pistons. The club was rebuilding during these years, so many of his amazing performances went to waste. In his final year with the team, Hill averaged 25.8 points per game. He was also one of the league’s most skilled rebounders.

  • Tayshaun Prince — 6′ 9″ Forward
    Born: 2/28/1980
    Played for Team: 2002–03 to 2012–13
    Tayshaun Prince could do wonderful things with a basketball in his hands. However, it was as a defensive player that he was a true difference-maker for the Pistons. Prince played the same role as a member of 2008 gold-medal Olympic team.

More Fun Facts

Have you ever seen a happier-looking player on a trading card? FYI, that’s Larry O’Brien next to Isiah. O’Brien was the NBA Commissioner from 1975 to 1983. The NBA Finals Trophy is named in his honor. (Star Co.)

  • GIVING BACK
    As a teenager, Isiah Thomas was given a chance to attend a private school 90 minutes from his home in West Chicago and it changed his life. During (and after) his years with the Pistons, Thomas paid school tuition for more than 75 students.

  • NEAT FEET
    When the Pistons traded Bob Lanier to the Bucks, fans feared the team would never fill his shoes. Eventually, they found another All-Star center in Bill Laimbeer, but no one in NBA history could ever match Lanier’s size 22 sneakers. At the Basketball Hall of Fame, one of the most popular exhibits allows visitors to compare their shoe size to Lanier’s.

  • IT’S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE
    George Yardley specialized in putting the ball in the basket. In the team’s first year in Detroit, he broke George Mikan’s NBA scoring record with 2,001 points. After retiring from basketball, Yardley started his own engineering company and helped the government make rockets and missiles. In George’s case, it really was rocket science!Your Content Goes Here

League Leaders

I like this card because it shows a player who is trying to catch his breath. Usually you get action shots or posed shots. (Fleer Corp.)

Kevin Porter was a brilliant point guard. He led the NBA in assists a total of four times during his career. (Topps, Inc.)

  • SCORING
    1942–43 Bobby McDermott 13.7*
    1957–58 George Yardley 27.8

  • REBOUNDING
    1985–86 Bill Laimbeer 13.1
    1991–92 Dennis Rodman 18.7
    1992–93 Dennis Rodman 18.3
    2001–02 Ben Wallace 13.0
    2002–03 Ben Wallace 15.4
    2018-19 Andre Drummond 15.6
    2019–20 Andre Drummond 15.2**

    **Also played with Cleveland Cavaliers

  • ASSISTS
    1977–78 Kevin Porter 10.2**
    1978–79 Kevin Porter 13.4
    1984–85 Isiah Thomas 13.9

  • STEALS
    1978–79 M.L. Carr 2.5

    Steals did not become an official statistic until 1973–74.

  • BLOCKED SHOTS
    2001–02 Ben Wallace 3.5

    Blocks did not become an official statistic until 1973–74.

    * National Basketball League Leader
    ** Also played with the New Jersey Nets

Playing for the Championship

This program is from the mid-1950s, when the Pistons were the Best in the West. Check out their mascot—he looks like the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, right? (Author’s Collection)

PISTONS in the FINALS

National Basketball League

SEASON OPPONENT SCORE
1941–42 Oshkosh All-Stars Lost 1–2*
1942–43 Oshkosh All-Stars Lost 1–2*
1943–44 Sheboygan Redskins Won 3–0*
1944–45 Sheboygan Redskins Won 3–2*

National Basketball Association Finals

SEASON OPPONENT SCORE
1954–55 Syracuse Nationals Lost 3–4*
1955–56 Philadelphia Warriors Lost 1–4*
1987–88 Los Angeles Lakers Lost 3–4
1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers Won 4–0
1989–90 Portland Trail Blazers Won 4–1
2003–04 Los Angeles Lakers Won 4–1
2004–05 San Antonio Spurs Lost 3–4

* Played as Fort Wayne Pistons

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