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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, Kelly Tripucka
Kelly Tripucka #7 of the Detroit Pistons . (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Detroit Pistons top ten rookies: No. 3, Kelly Tripucka

It’s crazy to imagine, but Isiah Thomas wasn’t even the best rookie the Pistons drafted in 1981.

That honor goes to Kelly Tripucka, who is probably the greatest Piston that most fans have never heard of.

Not only was Tripucka an All-Rookie and All-Star selection (just like Thomas) but probably had the greatest head of hair of any Piston not named Ben Wallace. Just look at that magnificent helmet of greatness.

Tripucka averaged 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his rookie season after being selected 12th by the Pistons.

He would go on to make one more All-Star appearance with Detroit, although he probably should have made it in his second season after averaging over 26 points per game, which was a career high.

Obviously Thomas went on to have the much better career overall, but for one season, Tripucka was the best Pistons’ rookie and had one of the best rookie seasons of all time for the franchise.

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