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Rip Hamilton’s jersey raised into rafters by Detroit Pistons

By Justin Prince

Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Richard Hamilton jersey is retired during the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Richard Hamilton jersey is retired during the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Richard Hamilton had one thing to say when walked up to halfcourt in front of thousands of Detroit Pistons fans and took the microphone Sunday night – “Yessir!”

Richard Hamilton‘s No. 32 Detroit Pistons jersey has been officially retired and raised into the rafters at the Palace of Auburn Hills, joining his fellow 2004 championship teammates Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace.

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He was known as one of the most unique players in his era, mainly for his mid-range shooting. He is also one of six Pistons to record more than 11,000 points with the franchise history.

“It all feels so surreal,” said Hamilton during the presentation. “When I was a kid, I used to write on a piece of cardboard and I used to write what I wanted to accomplish in the game of basketball or the game of life … on that board, I said I wanted to be an NBA player, an NCAA champion and I wrote I wanted to be an NBA champion. Not once did I write on that board and say “Rip. This is about you. I never did that. And I never wrote on that board that one day, that Hamilton last name, that jersey, would be going up in the rafters.”

Hamilton achieved all three of those goals.

Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Richard Hamilton during his jersey retirement ceremony during the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Richard Hamilton during his jersey retirement ceremony during the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Hamilton, 39, played nine of his 14 NBA seasons with the Detroit Pistons from 2002-2011. He also played games for the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls.

Prior to his rookie campaign in 1999, he led the University of Connecticut Huskies to an NCAA championship in his senior year over the Duke Blue Devils.

He was a key member of the Pistons’ straight eastern conference championship appearances, averaging 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists during that stretch. Hamilton also made three all-star games during his career. He also helped Detroit beat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games to win the 2004 NBA title.

Per the Detroit News’s Rob Beard prior to the game:

"“He’s one of the best catch-and-shoot guys running off screens that there’s been in my time in the league — and I’ve been around 25 years,” current Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. “He was really, really tough to defend, not only because he could score the ball, but he could make all the plays. Rip could shoot the three a little, but he didn’t shoot a lot of them, going back to being one of the real old-school guys in the league, who relied on the mid-range game and was great at it.”"

Hamilton said that his career was a product of all the people he surrounded himself with, from his family and former coaches to his teammates on the court.

He also showed regret for the way his time with the Pistons ended.

Hamilton’s tenure in Detroit came to a rocky finish when he had a falling out with then-head coach John Kuester. Kuester responded by benching him for seven weeks. Hamilton and the Pistons then agreed to a buyout the following year. He then finished his career with the Chicago Bulls.

Prior to the current Pistons’ match-up against the Boston Celtics, Hamilton expressed that regret in a pregame media session:

"“You don’t see it until you’re out of the game and you’re away from that situation. When I was in Chicago and I’m in the locker room everyday, I’m like, ‘boy, Rip, c’mon man, this ain’t where you’re supposed to be playing. You’re a Piston.'”"

He also had a major impact on his former teammates during his career. Billups, Wallace, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace showed that by being in attendance for the historic night.

“You made me better every day,” said Billups. “You challenged me. Not only did you make me better, you made our team better with your energy, your effort every day, your tenacity and your competitiveness. You made us champions.”

Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Richard Hamilton jersey is retired during the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons former player Richard Hamilton jersey is retired during the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Hamilton’s love for Detroit and emotions showed throughout the ceremony, wiping away tears a few times.

If there was not a second half left to be played, he might have taken the time to thank everyone, including the fans, all night.

“Detroit, the fans, I love you,” said Hamilton, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. “Thanks a lot.”

Next: Pistons lose to Celtics 104-98 on Rip Hamilton Night

Moments later, Hamilton and his family watched as his jersey was raised into the rafters, right next to the team’s 2004 championship banner.

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