From the Vault
A Detroit Almanac
Three eras kept under climate control. Each room of the Vault has its own door — the door is open.
Founded
1948
Fort Wayne, IN
In Detroit
1957
69 years and counting
Championships
3
1989 · 1990 · 2004
Finals trips
7
Won 3 of 7
From the recent ledger
June 15, 2004 · indexed nearest to June 20 ·
The third banner
Detroit 100, Lakers 87. Chauncey took Finals MVP. Five All-Stars and no superstar. The whole world had bet the other way.
The Three Rooms
Click into any era
1988 — 1990
★★
The Bad Boys
Two championships, one identity, no apologies. Isiah, Joe D, Worm, Laimbeer, Mahorn — and the Jordan Rules.
Open the room ›
2003 — 2008
★
Goin' to Work
Five All-Stars and no superstar. Larry Brown's defensive masterclass, the 2004 title, six straight conference finals.
Open the room ›
2021 — Present
The Cunningham Era
A 6'6" lead guard with a throwback's mind. The patient rebuild that arrived.
Open the room ›
The Banners
Three in the rafters
1989
★ Champions ★
defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-0)
Finals MVP · Joe Dumars
1990
★ Champions ★
defeated Portland Trail Blazers (4-1)
Finals MVP · Isiah Thomas
2004
★ Champions ★
defeated Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)
Finals MVP · Chauncey Billups
In the Rafters
Retired numbers
1
Chauncey Billups
2002-08
2
Chuck Daly
Coach 1983-92
Honored, not retired in number form
3
Ben Wallace
2000-06, 2009-12
4
Joe Dumars
1985-99
10
Dennis Rodman
1986-93
11
Isiah Thomas
1981-94
15
Vinnie Johnson
1981-91
16
Bob Lanier
1970-80
21
Dave Bing
1966-75
32
Richard Hamilton
2002-11
40
Bill Laimbeer
1982-94
The Hall
Pistons in Springfield
- Dave Bing (G, 1966-75)
- Bob Lanier (C, 1970-80)
- Bailey Howell (F, 1959-64)
- Dave DeBusschere (F, 1962-68)
- George Yardley (F, 1953-59)
- Isiah Thomas (G, 1981-94)
- Joe Dumars (G, 1985-99, exec)
- Dennis Rodman (F, 1986-93)
- Adrian Dantley (F, 1986-89)
- Bob McAdoo (C, 1979-81)
- Chuck Daly (Coach, 1983-92)
- Larry Brown (Coach, 2003-05)
- Ben Wallace (C, 2000-06, 2009-12)
- Allen Iverson (G, brief stint 2008-09)
- Earl Lloyd (F, 1958-60)
Players honored at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame whose primary or career-defining work was in Detroit.