The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced their Class of 2018 candidates Thursday afternoon. Former Pistons Grant Hill, Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups were named a candidate for the first time. The finalists will be announced during All Star Weekend.
Three Detroit Pistons’ legends are one step closer to achieving basketball immortality.
Grant Hill, Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups were named eligible candidates for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It’s their first appearance on the ballot.
In total, six former Pistons received the honor. Mark Aguirre, Chris Webber and Ben Wallace have all been candidates before.
The finalists will be announced during All Star Weekend in February. Those finalists alone will then be enshrined. The rest must wait until next year.
Let’s take a look at these three new candidates and their careers.
Mr. Nice
Hill spent his first six seasons in the Motor City. In that time, he cemented himself as one of the NBA’s best. The small forward averaged 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a rookie. He was named co-Rookie of the Year (alongside Jason Kidd) following the 1994-95 season.
Arguably the greatest small forward in franchise history, Hill was an All Star in five of his six years with Detroit. He possessed a transcendent offensive game. Defenders couldn’t handle his dribble drive or vertical ability.
Despite his greatness, the Pistons failed to surround Hill with a supporting cast. They never won a playoff series with No. 33 in town. He was traded to the Orlando Magic in the summer of 2000. Detroit received Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace.
The Man in the Mask
Hamilton arrived in a deal that sent Jerry Stackhouse to Washington. It didn’t take long for him to adjust to his new home. Rip started all 82 games at shooting guard in 2002-03, and led the Pistons in scoring with 19.7 points per game.
The former Connecticut Husky quickly became Detroit’s go-to scorer. His patented mid-range game was a staple in the Pistons’ offense. All he needed was a solid screen to break free. Hamilton’s jump shot took care of the rest.
Rip spent nine seasons with the Pistons, and was named an All Star from 2006-08. Yet his time in Detroit would end on a sour note. Hamilton never got along with then-Pistons coach John Kuester, who benched the veteran guard. He finished his career with the Chicago Bulls.
All was forgiven, however, and the Pistons retired Hamilton’s No. 32 earlier this year.
Mr. Big Shot
Billups bounced around the league before landing with the Pistons prior to the 2002-03 season. Like Hamilton, this was a match made in heaven
The Denver native spent eight seasons (in two separate stints) with Detroit. He averaged 16.5 points, 6.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds as a Piston. The franchise had been searching for a point guard since Isiah Thomas‘ retirement in 1994. Finally, they had found one.
Billups’ leadership and clutch shooting helped the Pistons capture their third championship in 2004. Many will rave about his offensive arsenal. But his defense was just as critical to Detroit’s success. He was named the 2004 Finals MVP, and made three All Star appearances as a Piston.
Billups was abruptly traded for Allen Iverson shortly into the 2008-09 season. He and the Nuggets soared, while Iverson and the Pistons stumbled.
Mr. Big Shot would return to Detroit, albeit in a limited role. He played just 19 games with the team in 2013-14. Billups announced his retirement after the season.
He too would see his No. 1 rise to The Palace rafters in 2016.