Detroit Pistons: Best 5 draft picks in modern franchise history
By KC Whitten
3. Tayshaun Prince
Tayshaun Prince was the 23rd pick in the 2002 NBA Draft. The Grant Hill era had ended in Detroit, and the Pistons were in the process of building another championship contender.
Though Prince wasn’t involved in the rotation throughout the 2002-03 regular season, he became a key contributor in the playoffs. In the 2003 NBA Playoffs, with the Pistons trailing the Orlando Magic 3-1, head coach Rick Carlisle decided to adjust his lineup. Prince began to receive more playing time, and became the first player in NBA history to score more points in the playoffs than in the regular season.
One of his more memorable plays in Detroit occurred in the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 2, Detroit led the Indiana Pacers 69-67 with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter. Pacers guard Reggie Miller received an outlet pass after a steal, and was rushing down the court for a seemingly uncontested layup to tie the game. Prince flew down the court, and blocked the shot into the hands of Pistons wing Rip Hamilton to end the game.
The Pistons would eventually advance to the 2004 NBA Finals as heavy underdogs to the Los Angeles Lakers, winning the series 4-1.