Detroit Free Press

Isiah Thomas made his NBA debut Oct. 30, 1981 with the Detroit Pistons. They hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at the Pontiac Silverdome, and Milwaukee’s roster featured arguably the greatest Piston in franchise history at the time — Bob Lanier. Lanier would eventually become a friend and mentor to Thomas, who led the Pistons to their

When Bob Lanier roamed the paint for the Detroit Pistons, the game was different. It was the 1970s and there was no 3-point line or coach’s challenge. The Pistons played in the Western Conference. The iconic Pistons “Bad Boys” were still “boys” — Isiah Thomas was not yet a teenager when Lanier made his first All-Star appearance

Bob Lanier. whose stellar career with the Detroit Pistons in the 1970s was hampered both by injuries and his desire for a title, has died at age 73 after a short illness, the NBA announced Tuesday night. Lanier, taken No. 1 overall by the Pistons in 1970 out of St. Bonaventure, spent parts of 10 seasons with

Bob Lanier. whose stellar career with the Detroit Pistons in the 1970s was hampered both by injuries and his desire for a title, has died at age 73, the NBA announced Tuesday night. Lanier, taken No. 1 overall by the Pistons in 1970 out of St. Bonaventure, spent parts of 10 seasons with the franchise, averaging 22.7

The NBA released the 76 players invited to the NBA scouting combine in Chicago, May 16-22. Among the invitees are a pair of early entrants that would interest local fans. Freshmen Max Christie, of Michigan State basketball, and Moussa Diabate, of Michigan basketball, both made the cut. Christie, a 6-foot-6 guard, started all 35 games

The NHL draft lottery is upon us and already I can hear the cynicism. Yes, it makes a sound, a kind of muffled, entitled growl. Hey, I’m not judging. You are. That’s your right. The Detroit Red Wings have gotten housed in the lottery the last half decade, especially in 2020, when they finished with

Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Bryce Simon (@MotorCityHoops) and Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) • Producer: Wes Davenport • Editor: Cary Junior II • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Email: brycesimon3309@gmail.com; osankofa@freepress.com On this episode: This week, the guys first take one more look at their personal NBA draft board. Then, the guys talk through the viability of a few possible trade scenarios for the

There’s no such thing as an unimportant offseason, but this one feels especially consequential for the Detroit Pistons. They finished the 2021-22 season winning 11 of their final 25 games. Cade Cunningham finished third in the Rookie of the Year race and looked the part of a franchise centerpiece. Several young players made significant strides

Longtime Detroit Pistons play-by-play commentator George Blaha and Pistons senior adviser of player development John Beilein are, in Beilein’s words, “two old-school Catholics.” When the Pistons are on the road during the season, they often attend Mass together on Sundays. In New York, they may go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. In Charlotte, they attend St. Peter

The Detroit Pistons will have money to spend this offseason. They will have between $25 and roughly $30 million in salary cap space, depending on where their lottery pick falls and which team options on player contracts they pick up. They will be a major player in free agency, and have several avenues to create

Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Bryce Simon (@MotorCityHoops) and Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) • Producer: Wes Davenport • Editor: Cary Junior II • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Email: brycesimon3309@gmail.com; osankofa@freepress.com On this episode: This week, the fellas take a tour through the Detroit Pistons roster and pick out one trait each key player should improve this offseason. Then, the guys look ahead

Joe Dumars has a new gig. The Detroit Pistons Hall of Famer was appointed as the NBA’s executive vice president, head of basketball operations, the league announced on Monday. Dumars’ first day will be on May 9. MOCK DRAFT 2.0: If Pistons win lottery again, they’ll pounce on Chet Holmgren “Joe’s extensive track record of accomplishment as

The NBA draft lottery 2022, one of the most entertaining events on the NBA calendar, is less than three weeks away. The Detroit Pistons will learn May 17 where they’ll end up for the draft June 23. They own the third-best odds and are tied with the Houston Rockets and Orlando Magic for a 14% chance

Kirkland Crawford | Detroit Free Press Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Hosts: Bryce Simon (@MotorCityHoops) and Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) • Producer: Wes Davenport • Editor: Cary Junior II • Executive producers: Anjanette Delgado, Kirkland Crawford • Email: brycesimon3309@gmail.com; osankofa@freepress.com On this episode: This week, the guys break down the Rookie of the Year results, where Cade Cunningham finished a distant third. Then, the fellas take one