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History of the Detroit Pistons, Their Highs and Lows

Fred Zollner, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, founded the Detroit Pistons in the 1940’s. The team was originally named the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons. Immediately, the Pistons entered into the National Basketball League (NBL), composed primarily of teams sponsored by corporations in the Midwest.

Led by Bobby McDermott, the team’s guard, the Pistons dominated the NBL and made it to the series championship the first year they competed. However, they lost to the Oshkosh All-Stars. Two years later they were defeated at the NBL Finals again, this time by the Seboygan Redskins, but by only a single point.

In 1944, they at last won their first championship title and they followed that up with another championship win in 1945. Three years later, the Pistons team transferred to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and in 1949 the NBL and BAA joined to form the National Basketball Association or the NBA. The Pistons were the NBA’s premier squad.

The NBA’s first five seasons featured the Pistons in the playoffs and twice the team advanced to the division finals. In 1954 and 1955, the Pistons, which now included Andy Phillip on guard, Larry Froust on center, and George Yardley on forward, advanced to the NBA finals but tragically lost to the Syracuse Nationals by one measly point. In the 1956 finals, the Pistons lost once again, to the Philadelphia Warriors. Until 1964, they continued to qualify for the NBA playoffs but never gained their championship title back.

During the 1980’s, draft picks and trades brought many new players to the team: Isaiah Thomas, Kelly Tripucka, Vinnie Johnson, and Bill Laimbeer. Three years later, Chuck Daly signed on as the team’s head coach and he eventually led them to the 1984 NBA playoffs. With additional players like Joe Dumars and Adrian Dantley and Daly’s refreshing leadership, the team was getting closer and closer to that national championship. Still, during the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics defeated them. However, in 1988 the tables turned, and the Celtics lost to the Pistons, due to the Piston’s solid defense, made up of Dumars, Laimbeer, Johnson, and recent recruit Dennis Rodman.

In the late eighties and early nineties, the Detroit Pistons moved to the Palace of Auburn Hills and added Mark Aguirre to the roster. They made it to the NBA finals in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and like old times, they were again one of the top teams in the league. The Pistons relied on a bruising defense and sharp shooting and they registered 63 regular season victories. In the 1989 NBA Finals, they swept the Los Angeles Lakers and followed suit in the 1990 Finals, beating the Portland Trail Blazers. At last, they could claim the title of champion.

Later, the Pistons began to fade as their roster disbanded. At the same time, the Chicago Bulls emerged as a dominating team in the Eastern Conference. However, 1994 brought in a high draft pick, Grant Hill, who helped out the struggling team.

In the 2004 NBA Finals, the Detroit Pistons, led by guard Chauncey Billups and teammates Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, Tyshaun Prince, and Been Wallace, won the championship title, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jack Peterson has an interest in Sports and Detroit Pistons, for more FREE information and articles please visit Detroit Pistons Resources

Six Basketball Defense Tips - Defending the Basketball

What stands out most in the minds of basketball fans around the world is the flashy T-Mac drive, spin and dunk or the fierce dunk over three defenders by Shaq, but it has been said that defense wins games. The Detroit Pistons of recent times were a prime example of that. Although they definitely could score, it was their swarming defense that won them the NBA title.

Basketball Defense Tip #1 - Defense is a state of mind, an attitude. Your desire, hustle and level of energy are as much important if not more than your skill. You should be a proactive player, not a reactive player.

Your main focus is always an urgent “get that ball back”. The attitude, concentration and teamwork you bring to the game are key elements to success. The skills of defense can be taught; only you can develop the desire to win.

Basketball Defense Tip #2 - Transition play is one of the essentials of defense. You must get back to your defensive assignment quickly. Avoid letting the offense beat you down court. All too often players get lazy or waste time arguing a no-call; don’t let that happen to you. Hustle back down court and get that ball back!

Basketball Defense Tip #3 - Another essential is defending with a purpose. Mainly, prevent easy shots and get that ball back (heard that somewhere?) through steals or rebounds. Make the offense earn their points. Make them score under pressure.

Basketball Defense Tip #4 - Always apply pressure and stay low. Usually your head will be level with the ball-handler’s chest. Keep yourself positioned between the basket and the ballhandler. Wave your hands, make noises, anything to distract your opponent. You can even fake body movements such as pretending to charge the ball. The main thing is to stay low and apply pressure.

Basketball Defense Tip #5 - When guarding a player with the ball, always be ready. You should have one foot forward, the foot opposite of the ball-handler’s most dominant hand. If he is right handed, your left foot will be forward along with your left hand extended out, palm up. This will allow you to quickly flick at and steal the ball.

Usually you will keep that lead hand at whatever level the ball is; if the ball is low, so is your lead hand. If the ball is being held high, turn your palm so it facing the ball. You should also be waving your off hand so you can prevent the passing lane.

Basketball Defense Tip #6 - Position yourself between the ball-handler and the basket at all times. Cut off his path by maintaining your position between him and the basket by sliding over and staying in front of him. Don’t cross your feet.

If the ball handler gets by you, sprint to reestablish your defensive position between the ball-handler and the basket. A player without the ball should be able to sprint faster than a player dribbling the ball. Keep a cushion between you and the ball-handler. If he tries a spin move or reverse and you are too close, you could end up with an unnecessary foul. Always prevent penetration first, then pressure the ball.

If he stops his dribble, attack the ball while staying in your defensive stance. Try to force a bad pass or you can back off a little if the ball handler is out of shooting range, but always avoid the unnecessary fouls.

There are a number of different basketball defense tips, techniques and drills. Each position has its own special requirements, but the one common denominator is to prevent the offense from scoring easy or uncontested points. Always apply pressure by staying low and positioning yourself between the ball-handler and the basket. If you can master that you will be well on your way to earning a nickname like “The Glove” (Gary Payton) and winning defensive player of the year!