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Detroit Pistons to retire Richard Hamilton’s jersey next

By Braden Shackelford

Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Richard Hamilton waves to the crowd during the Chauncey Billups halftime retirement ceremony in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Nuggets won 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Richard Hamilton waves to the crowd during the Chauncey Billups halftime retirement ceremony in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Nuggets won 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Pistons have retired Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups’ numbers so far this season, but those won’t be the only two players from the Pistons’ most recent title to see their jersey numbers hung in the rafters.

The Detroit Pistons have honored two of the greatest Pistons of all-time–on one of the best Pistons’ teams of all-time–in Ben Wallace and Chauncey Bullups, by retiring their jerseys this season.

But those won’t be the only two Pistons getting their jersey retired from the 2004 championship team.

Via Detroit Free Press:

"First Ben. Then Mr. Big Shot.Chauncey Billups was the picture of eloquence.But perhaps Rip Hamilton matched his passion.Before the Palace crowd hung on every word from Billups during the Piston great’s jersey retirement ceremony, Hamilton was the handpicked teammate from the 2004 world champions to help introduce the man of the hour Wednesday night.Hamilton talked of his perfect synergy with Billups when they formed the best backcourt in the NBA.He spoke of Billups’ greatness on and off the floor, telling an anecdote of his children asking the meaning of being a role model.He recalled getting on the Internet and showing his children a picture of Billups.Hamilton spoke briefly, but it was long enough to symbolize the scars from his untimely Pistons exit in 2011 have fully healed.Ben Wallace saw his No.3 raised to the Palace rafters last month.Billups’ No.1 came Wednesday.Hamilton’s No.32 will come next.No date has been set, but Hamilton will be the next Piston from the 2004 NBA title team to have his jersey retired, a person with firsthand knowledge of the organization’s thinking told the Free Press on Wednesday night.It’s probably too late this season to plan such an event, but it’s quite apparent the bridges Hamilton burned when he was paid not to play for the Pistons after the NBA labor lockout in 2011 have been repaired. Billups campaigned for it."

As Vince Ellis mentioned, it is unlikely that Hamilton gets his jersey retired this season, but it won’t be long.

With Hamilton’s jersey set to be retired sometime in the near future the real question is, does Rasheed Wallace–one of the most beloved Pistons of all-time–get his jersey retired after that?

Wallace didn’t play as long as Hamilton did for the Pistons, but he was just important as Hamilton was to the Pistons 2004 championship. In fact, in terms of importance towards their title run, so was Tayshaun Prince.

We will  have to see how Rasheed Wallace and Prince’s jersey retirements play out, but for now, it looks like Hamilton is next up on the list.

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