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Top Ten Individual Seasons in Pistons History

By David Hoffman

Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; (left to right) Vinnie Johnson and David Bing and Chauncey Billups and Isiah Thomas smile during a halftime retirement ceremony for Billups 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; (left to right) Vinnie Johnson and David Bing and Chauncey Billups and Isiah Thomas smile during a halftime retirement ceremony for Billups 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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#3:  Grant Hill (1996-97)

The second-biggest what-if in Pistons history, Grant Hill was as transcendent a talent the NBA has seen. He displayed the ability to embarrass some of the best defenders in NBA history on any given play.

Hill was the building block the Pistons had been looking for since the end of the Bad Boys. But unlike with Isiah Thomas before and Ben Wallace after, the team was not able to surround him with the right pieces.

Just like that, perhaps the most talented Piston of all-time had come and gone.

In the 1996-1997 season Hill was a dominant force boasting a stat line of 21.4 points, 9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists a game. He shot 49.6 percent from the field and added 1.8 steals a game.

The advanced statistics shine a light on how historically great Hill was this year. He registered the highest player efficiency rating (PER) in team history at 25.5, and the second highest value over replacement player (VORP) of 7.9.  For the uninitiated and curious, here is a guide to some advanced statistics.

After the 1999 season it was clear that Hill was going to leave for free agency, so the Pistons executed a sign and trade with the Orlando Magic. Just like that, perhaps the most talented Piston of all time had come and gone.

Next: #2: Bob Lanier (1973-74)