Detroit Pistons: 10 best rookie seasons in franchise history

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MAY 18: Grant Hill #33 of the Detroit Pistons is presented the 1995 Rookie of the Year Award on May 18, 1995 at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1995 NBAE (Photo by Lou Capozzola/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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8. Bob Lanier (1970-71)

By Hall of Fame standards, Bob Lanier’s rookie season was pretty forgettable.

Lanier was the No. 1 overall pick out of St. Bonaventure, joining a Detroit club that had missed the playoffs in six of the previous seven seasons.

Backcourt wizard Dave Bing was the unquestioned star of the Pistons at the time, so it’s not like Lanier was under pressure to be the savior. In his first year, the 6’11” center averaged 15.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and made the All-Rookie Team. The Pistons made a 14-win turnaround, going from 31 victories the previous season to 45 with Lanier, but didn’t qualify for the playoffs.

Lanier made the leap from quality rookie to legit MVP candidate the following year. In 1971-72, he averaged 25.7 points and 14.2 rebounds per game, making the All-Star Game and finishing ninth in league MVP voting. He earned eight All-Star nods in his career, and today is the Pistons’ all-time leader in scoring average and Player Efficiency Rating.

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