Two Underrated Piston Greats

 

An experienced operations and manufacturing support professional, Roderick C. Wright is a proven leader in his field. Outside of his professional life, Roderick C. Wright follows the NBA and has been a fan of the Detroit Pistons for many years.

When considering the all-time great Pistons, certain players come to mind immediately, such as Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer. There are other greats, however, who sometimes fly under the radar. Here are two of the underrated players in the franchise.

Though he spent only four years in Detroit, Rick Mahorn was a pivotal component of the team’s first NBA title in 1989. He was the starting power forward for the team, averaging just over 5 points and 5 rebounds per game. He was a veteran presence inside and a tough defender, but most importantly, he was perfect for the physical brand of play that became the hallmark of the Pistons.

Trading for Rasheed Wallace just before the deadline in 2004 was likely the move that secured the championship for the Pistons that year. His 13 points per game were a solid contribution, but it was his defensive work, particularly against an in-his-prime Shaquille O’Neal, that helped the underdog Pistons upset the Lakers in the NBA finals. Though he left the team as a free agent in 2009, Wallace is still in the franchise’s all-time top ten for 3-pointers and blocked shots.