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The Case for Retiring Tayshaun’s and Rasheed’s Pistons Jerseys

By Ryan Love

Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to Right) Larry Brown and William Wesley and Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton and Mehmet Okur and Chauncy Billups and Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace and Lindsey Hunter pose for a photo after the game against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (Left to Right) Larry Brown and William Wesley and Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton and Mehmet Okur and Chauncy Billups and Rasheed Wallace and Ben Wallace and Lindsey Hunter pose for a photo after the game against the Golden State Warriors at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons won 113-95. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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At halftime of the Detroit Pistons game last Sunday, Richard “Rip” Hamilton’s jersey rose into the rafters of the Palace. Whose jerseys might be next to join Rip’s, Chauncey’s, and Big Ben’s?

The Detroit Pistons made it a point the last two seasons to honor their 2004 NBA Championship team by retiring the jerseys of Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, and now Richard Hamilton. The remaining starters from that team, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace, have yet to receive such honors.

The question to be asked regarding Tayshaun and Rasheed remains that of their total contributions in a Pistons jersey. Chauncey, Rip, and Ben all hold records in the regular season and playoffs. The former do not have the statistics to match, but arguably were just as impactful to that team as the latter.

The case for Tayshaun Prince:

“The Prince of the Palace” is a hell of a nickname to not get your jersey retired at the Palace. Tayshaun, drafted 23rd overall by the Pistons in 2002, was the Pistons starting small forward by the 2003-’04 season. Tayshaun’s most memorable moments during that championship season came during the playoffs.

His defense on Hall of Fame players like the Pacers Reggie Miller and the Lakers Kobe Bryant during those playoffs was exceptional for a second-year player.

Tayshaun made four NBA All-Defensive Second Teams during his first 10 seasons with the Pistons. Tayshaun’s best regular season scoring average was just under 15 points per game during the 2004-’05 season. He did not have the flashy numbers of other stars, but his defense and “sacrifice,” as Rip referred to it during his jersey ceremony, were as important as anything to that era’s Pistons team.

The case for Rasheed Wallace:

SHEEEEEEED!

Adding Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons just before the 2004 NBA trade deadline was the extra push the Pistons needed to become a championship team. Rasheed, much the opposite of Tayshaun Prince, was a loud, outspoken star for the Pistons. He vocally guaranteed the Game 2 victory over the Pacers that propelled the Pistons toward the Eastern Conference and NBA crown.

Rasheed was one of those most dominant low post presences in the NBA during that time. He averaged 13.4 points per game in six seasons with the Pistons to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, and almost exactly the same during those Pistons playoff runs.

Rasheed was a two-time All-Star while with the Pistons, and was arguably the most talented basketball player on those teams. As with Tayshaun, Rasheed’s numbers do his impact justice. In an era of great power forwards like Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady, and Kevin Garnett, Rasheed bumped with the best of them.

Rip also praised Rasheed Sunday night. “Rasheed Wallace is the most talented player I ever played with in the NBA, but he was willing to sacrifice in order for his brothers to get some the glory, too,” he said.

Next: A look at the Detroit Pistons lineup combinations

The Pistons have no official plans to retire the jerseys of Tayshaun or Rasheed yet according to Vince Ellis and the Detroit Free Press.

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