One team that has its name in the annals of NBA basketball is the 2004 Pistons. They were not adorned with superstars, glitz, and glamour. Instead, they were a team and a city that fused in a perfect harmony of resilience and determination to achieve greatness. This past Sunday, the 2004 Detroit Pistons marked the 20th anniversary of their remarkable triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers. With 20,004 fans in attendance, the past was commemorated in a manner that resonates with the team’s underdog spirit, which continues to inspire and captivate us. But there’s more to this story!
Despite their current record of 12-56, the Detroit Pistons carry a legacy of success, particularly during the 2004 NBA season. This prompts fans to ponder if the current Pistons team can replicate the same magic that propelled their predecessors to victory. A closer look at the current roster reveals similarities and a continuation of the same spirit that drove the 2004 team.
2004 Championship Backcourt.
The Detroit Pistons’ successful performance in the past has been highly dependent on the backcourt. The team has built a formidable backcourt through organic development and free agency. The backcourt that led the team to championship glory comprised Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton, who were brought in from other teams. Billups was the third overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 1997 NBA draft and had a few stints with different teams before finally getting his genuine opportunity in Minnesota. Subsequently, he signed a lucrative five-year, 35-dollar contract with the Pistons to join an up-and-coming team.
In the 1999 NBA draft, the Washington Wizards selected Richard Hamilton as the seventh overall pick. Hamilton steadily improved from his rookie to sophomore season, significantly increasing points per game from 9.0 to 18.1. In his third season, Hamilton teamed up with Michael Jordan, creating one of the most potent scoring combinations in the league. Despite their offensive proficiency, the team failed to make the playoffs, and Jordan sought additional veteran players. Consequently, Hamilton was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Jerry Stackhouse.
The Present Backcourt.
The Detroit Pistons haven’t had two successful backcourt players drafted since Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas. Cade Cunningham was the first Pistons player to be selected as the #1 overall pick since Bob Lanier in 1970. Although he played 64 games in his rookie season, he only played 12 in his sophomore season. However, in his third season, Cunningham has shown his potential on the court, averaging 22.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 54 games this season.
The Pistons drafted Jaden Ivey with the 5th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Ivey, who played for Purdue, is known for being an explosive combo guard with a high motor. The dynamic between him and Cunningham has been intriguing as they perform better when the other is not on the floor. It takes time for players to develop cohesion with each other to reach their full potential. They have shown glimpses of being a great duo, but also times when it seems one might need to go. Despite that, Ivey has had a solid sophomore campaign, averaging 15.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists.
2004 Tayshaun vs. 2024 Ausar
Tayshaun Prince’s versatility was crucial to the 2004 Pistons’ success. He was the team’s top defender and was permanently assigned to guard the opposing team’s best offensive player. Besides his defensive prowess, Tayshaun was also a versatile player on the offensive end. He could handle the ball, allowing the guards to look for their shot, and was a decent shooter overall. In other words, Tayshaun was a player’s Swiss army knife.
Similarly, Ausar Thompson plays a comparable role for the present-day Pistons as their best perimeter defender, assigned to the most formidable offensive player of the opposing team. Ausar isn’t afraid to grab rebounds or block shots in the paint. While his shooting isn’t as good as Tayshaun’s, he can improve with development. It would be great to see him become more of a playmaker for guys like Ivey and Cunningham, but his essential tools are already present for success.
The Next Ben & Rasheed Wallace.
Ben Wallace was the heart and soul of the Pistons during the early to mid-2000s. Despite starting his career as a training camp invitee with the Wizards, he became a four-time Defensive Player Of The Year and Hall of Famer. Ben’s leadership and talent were essential to the Pistons’ success during this period. When Rasheed Wallace was added to the team, the Pistons were able to take their game to the next level.
Isaiah Stewart seems to have taken on the team’s heart and soul mantle. Like Ben, Stewart is undersized for his position but unafraid to compete. While he may not yet be an elite rebounder or shot-blocker like Ben, he has the potential to become one, given his intangibles.
As for the next Rasheed Wallace, I think Jalen Duren can fill that role. Duren is an offensive powerhouse who dominates the paint with his 60+ % shooting percentage. Additionally, he is a solid free-throw shooter and is starting to develop his playmaking skills. While I would like him to focus more on interior defense, the good news is that all the current Piston players are young enough to develop the skills they lack.
In Conclusion…
This version of the Pistons has a long way to go before we can consider them the next 2004 Pistons. Is Monty Williams that coach to get every ounce of ability out of his players like Larry Brown? Can Troy Weaver put together a bench that compliments the starters and doesn’t overload one position? And the crowd was the most critical aspect of the Pistons’ success back then. Will the fans be those rowdy and active fans they were back then?
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