There have been a lot of great players who have suited up to represent the Detroit Pistons. From Hall of Fame centers like Bob Lanier and Ben Wallace, to Finals MVP winning point guards like Isiah Thomas and Chauncey Billups.
The storied franchise has a rich history of blue-collar teams that reflect the city itself. Fans of Detroit Basketball have been spoiled over the years with high impact players at all positions. Next time you attend a basketball game in Little Caesar’s Arena look up at the rafters, the jerseys hanging represent the generations of greatness. This is exactly what Troy Weaver means when he talks about restoration.
Today we’ll take a look at the small forward position. With several players making their bid over the years for consideration this should be interesting. This list will be done based of their contributions to the Detroit Pistons, not their overall NBA success. Some on the list had major production, others had a huge impact on winning. All of them are highly recognizable by any true fan of the Pistons.
Detroit Pistons top small forwards #5: Tayshaun Prince
Tayshaun Prince was selected 22nd overall in the 2002 NBA draft by the Pistons and ended up being one of the top draft steals in team history. The small forward had a successful college career at Kentucky under then head coach Tubby Smith. In his first season with the team he only played in 42 games starting in five of those contests. He averaged 3.3 points 1.1 rebounds as a rookie in limited minutes. In no way did these numbers indicate what was to come.
His career took off in the playoffs of the 2003 season. The Detroit Pistons were taking on the Orlando Magic in a first-round best-of-seven series. The Pistons were having fits trying to deal with offensive dynamo Tracy McGrady. With the Pistons trailing 3-1 and the series all but over, head coach Rick Carlisle inserted the rookie into the starting lineup for game five.
With McGrady averaging 36.2 points a game in the series, Prince took on the defensive assignment. Prince showed Pistons fans what would become the staple of his legacy, great perimeter defense. He held McGrady to 19 points on 8-20 shooting and 1-5 from behind the arc, almost cutting his scoring output in half. When the buzzer sounded McGrady had a plus/minus of -25 the worse of any Magic player. After the 98-67 blowout the Detroit Pistons went on to win the series in seven.
Out of desperation came one of the most illustrious careers in Pistons history. Prince remained in the starting lineup cementing his place with the “Goin To Work” squad. He went on to start 490 out of the next 492 games for the franchise, missing only two games in six years.
His defense was his calling card, his 6’9 frame and his 7’2 wingspan allowed him to terrorize opponents on that end of the floor. With his strong defensive presence on the perimeter something historic was on the horizon. The “Goin To Work” Pistons were arguably the greatest defensive team the league has ever seen. Setting multiple records during their Eastern Conference supremacy, most notably holding eleven teams under 70 points in 2003-04 season. The defensive dominance continued in playoffs where they held six more opponents under 70 points. He also made one of the greatest defensive in playoff history.
It was the Eastern Conference Finals the Indiana Pacers just gave the Pistons a heartbreaking loss in game one. A outspoken and emotional Rasheed Wallace spoke to the media guaranteeing victory in the postgame. Saying “You can put it on the front page back page, middle of the page. They will not win game two” Sheed told reporters. Prince the quiet kid from Compton made sure he did his part and more. He only scored five points and grabbed five rebounds, but he contributed in other ways recording two steals and four blocks. The long arm of the law was doing what he does best.
With the Pistons in possession of the basketball, the lead, and less than thirty seconds remaining in the game. Chauncey Billups drove towards the basket losing the basketball the Pacers swooped it up, passed it ahead to the future hall fame guard Reggie Miller all alone, who caught the ball took dribbles as he passed the free throw line, when Prince took off from half court, Miller went up for the go ahead layup, Prince gained ground and made the clutch block. The crowd was stunned in amazement. Not only was this the greatest defensive play in Pistons history it’s one of the greatest blocks in NBA history.
The Prince of the Palace never needed to score or put up stats to show his worth. Although he finished top ten in career scoring with the team, scoring over 10,000 points. All he did was give his all to the franchise, impact winning, and played the right way. If he needed to score his crafty jump hook could get it done, but he knew his role and played it. The professionalism and approach he had to the game should be admired. He’s recognized as Pistons royalty, cherished for his contributions to the organization. Tayshaun Prince was a Swiss Army knife mix that with his longevity and you have a recipe for success. He’s a winner who embraced the culture of Detroit. Those attributes made him the fifth best Pistons small forward in history.
Detroit Pistons top small forwards #4: Kelly Tripucka
Kelly Tripucka was drafted at 12th in the 1981 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, which was one of the best drafts in team history. In his debut season he quickly emerged as one the games best small forwards. His first season he averaged 21.6 points 5.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists starting all 82 games for the Pistons.
In the Eastern Conference with small forwards like Larry Bird, and Julius Erving he made the All star game as rookie. This has only been done 16 times in the history of basketball, putting him with such players such as Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael Jordan to name a few. Tripuka and Isiah Thomas became the first teammates to accomplish this since Bob Pettit and Frank Selvy who did it in 1955 with the Milwaukee Hawks.
These two instantly formed a vicious duo, with Tripucka’s shooting touch and Thomas’s ability to get to the basket. Most fans saw them as a match made in heaven and their production validated it. Kelly was a flat-out scoring machine with the Pistons, setting records along the way. He broke the Pistons’ rookie record for points in a game, scoring 49 points against the Warriors which still stands today.
He’s in the Pistons record books and NBA record books as well. Tripucka in 1983 participated in the highest scoring game in league history. On this night he helped lead his team to a 186-184 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Scoring 35 points in a wild game that had three players with 40+ points and Kiki Vandeweghe leading all scorers with 51 points. This wasn’t the only record setting night that season.
January 29th, he scorched the Chicago Bulls for a franchise record 56 points, breaking the previous record held by Dave Bing. He shot a miraculous 18/26 from the floor and made 20/22 free throws. This record held up for eighteen seasons until it was broken by Jerry Stackhouse. Ironically he broke the record against the Bulls, as did his predecessors.
Although he was only a Piston for less than five years, Tripucka made his mark on the organization. His scoring prowess and the way he helped change the culture of the team is why he’s on this list.
Detroit Pistons top small forwards #3: George Yardley
George Yardley is not known by most Detroit Pistons fans. The unknown legend almost seems forgotten in Pistons history. He started his career with the Pistons prior to their move to Detroit. As a member of the Ft. Wayne/Detroit Pistons he played six seasons with the franchise. Let’s look at why he’s more than deserving of his placement on this all-time list.
His accomplishments were plentiful during his tenure with the team. He was selected 7th overall in the 1950 draft by the Ft. Wayne Pistons. Although he played in a much different era, his contributions can’t be denied. Could his play translate to today’s game, we’ll never know but what he did is noteworthy.
This small forward at one time was considered the greatest Piston ever. In his six seasons with the organization he was an All Star five times. Grant Hill is the only small forward to have as many appearances for the franchise. Yardley led the Pistons to the franchise’s first ever NBA finals, playing in 384 games respectively.
When the Detroit Pistons had their inaugural season he showed out for the new city and fans. The natural scorer wowed the city of Detroit by leading the league in scoring that season. He is still one of only three Pistons to have a scoring title. As scoring champ he averaged 27.8 points and 10.7 rebounds. He became the first player in NBA history to record over 2,000 points in a single season. His 27.8 points is second all time in the Pistons history. This groundbreaking year for the city of Detroit was set off by his historic play.
Yardley’s body of work speaks for itself. He’s a two time All NBA player, five time All Star, and has a scoring title with the organization. He represented the team on his jersey with integrity, hardwork, and dedication. Those attributes are how he got the franchise to its first finals. His play with the Pistons earned him a enshrinement in the basketball Hall of Fame. He was the first superstar type player, and perennial All Star for the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons top small forwards #2: Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman needs no introduction to this list, he’s arguably the most controversial athlete of all time. He’s known for many things, basketball being just one of them. In the Motor City he’s basketball royalty a Bad Boy legend. Long before the colorful hair, and documented Vegas trips he was “The Worm” well known and loved by Piston fans.
Dennis was a late bloomer being drafted in the second round at 25 years old. He wasn’t an instant starter he worked for everything. He earned the respect from a veteran team and flourished. On a team full of scorers running a guard oriented offense he did everything else. He became a success rebounding and playing defense. His raw athleticism earned national attention.
During his years with the Pistons Dennis built an extraordinary resume. From 1989-92 Rodman was first team All Defense with a third team All NBA selection for the Detroit Pistons. That’s just the beginning, during this time he accumulated two NBA titles, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and led the league in rebounding.
He emerged as one of the best offensive rebounders the world has ever seen. In his seven seasons in Detroit he averaged four or more offensive rebounds five times. Giving him a offensive rebounding average of 4.4 a game with the Pistons. Doing this is mind boggling for the small forward position. In his ’92 season he received the rebounding title in Detroit when he averaged18.2 boards. He was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career at that point.
The Worm is probably the greatest defender in the history of the game. He guarded the likes of Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson in championship playoff series. His resume speaks for itself, it’s undoubtedly obvious his impact on winning in Detroit. The sacrifices he made to help the Detroit Pistons are honored in the rafters. Dennis “The Worm” Rodman you are the second all time small forward in Pistons history.
Detroit Pistons top small forwards #1: Grant Hill
When the Pistons drafted Grant Hill with the third overall pick he was a polished product. He was a two time NCAA champion and a four year collegiate athlete. He had everything needed to thrive at the NBA level. He was the star power talent the organization needed. He didn’t have the playoff success as other’s but individually he’s second to none.
He burst on the scene with his all around game. He quickly showed why he was worthy of the third overall pick. As rookie Hill averaged 19.9 points 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists, his lowest productivity as a Piston. He also tied Dave Debuesher for triple doubles by a rookie which still sits as the record today.
By his second year in the league he was considered by many as a full fledged superstar. The perennial All Star appeared in five All Star games in his six years representing Piston blue. His versatility was unmatched by any other Pistons player, recording twenty nine triple doubles the most in franchise history.
Grant Hill was a Lebron James type player a decade before Lebron. He passed the ball and rebounded as well as scored, he was built to play in this modern era today. Hill truly was a generational talent light years ahead of the competition. This allowed him to rack up five All NBA selections for the Detroit Pistons. Hill was showing one of the league’s best all around games as the point forward.
Grant was a better defender than most believe especially during his Piston years. He ended his six years in Detroit averaging over 1.5 steals a game. This has him ranked eighth all time with the organization, astonishing knowing he left over twenty years ago.
Grant Hill was a mixture of the four guys before him. He may not have been the best defender or scorer on this list, but he was the best individual player. However he had the ability to do both at a high level. He was arguably top five players in the league at one time. Grant built his Hall of Fame career right here in the Motor City. He checked all the boxes, doing everything you could want from a small forward. Make no mistake Grant Hill is the number one small forward in this franchise’s illustrious history.