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Detroit Pistons: Top 10 Pistons’ rookies in franchise history

By Aaron Kellerstrass

Saddiq Bey #41 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Saddiq Bey #41 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Pistons
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1970: Dave DeBusschere #22 of the New York Knicks(Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons top ten rookies: No. 7, Dave DeBusschere

DeBusschere goes all the way back to 1962 when the NBA still had a “territorial” draft, which was actually pretty cool, as it ensured that teams had a chance to draft the top guy from their area.

He is mostly known as a New York Knick, as he won two titles there (they haven’t sniffed one since) and became one of the faces of their franchise, but he actually played more seasons and made more All-Star appearances with the Detroit Pistons.

DeBusschere averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds on his way to the All-Rookie team and by his third season he was not only their best player, but was coaching the team, something I doubt we will ever see again.

It’s easy to forget this era, as players were not the athletes that they are today, but DeBusschere was a hard-nosed and talented player who had a great rookie season in Detroit.

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