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Detroit Pistons’ greatest gifts of all-time

By Tyler Lucas

Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace. (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Ben Wallace. (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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AUBURN HILLS, MI – APRIL 8: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against John Salmons #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks on April 8, 2011 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by J. Dennis Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – APRIL 8: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against John Salmons #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks on April 8, 2011 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by J. Dennis Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

9. Richard Hamilton

If you haven’t noticed, there is a common theme here in this article; most of these players were heavy contributors to the Pistons three championship teams after they were added. Richard Hamilton is no exception. More commonly known as “Rip”, the facemask-wearing guard was one of the very best players in the NBA in moving without the ball, and his catch and shoot from mid-range was lethal.

Pistons top 5 shooting guards of all-time. light. Related Story

Before this was common knowledge in Detroit, though, this trade was a controversial one, and one that was considered a let down by many Pistons fans. In order to bring in Richard Hamilton from the Wizards, the Pistons had to send Stackhouse, their leading scorer, in return. Rip was not a well-known player at the time, and it seemed like the Pistons had gotten “ripped” off in the trade, but that would change in a hurry.

From the beginning, Rip’s fluid movement and knockdown shooting created more success for the Pistons on offense than many expected with him at shooting guard, and in year one the Pistons would make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. In year two, the Pistons would take down the heavily favored Lakers in the NBA Finals, where he earned the nickname “Super Rip” for his outstanding performance against superstar guard Kobe Bryant. With play like that, it’s hard not to think of him as a gift to the team.

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