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
August 4, 1948 · indexed nearest to September 23 ·
Franchise founded — in Fort Wayne
The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons enter the NBL. They'd move to Detroit nine years later and keep the name. The pistons are why we're here.
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.