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) /

5 of 11

Bailey Howell during his time with the Boston Celtics. (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Bailey Howell (1959-60)

Bailey Howell has the greatest excuse of all time for not winning NBA Rookie of the Year: He entered the league at the same time as Wilt Chamberlain.

Chosen with the No. 2 pick in the 1959 NBA Draft by the Pistons following a record-breaking career at Mississippi State, Howell averaged 17.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game for a Detroit team that made the playoffs but lost in the opening round to the Minneapolis Lakers.

However, the 6’7″ forward happened to be part of Wilt’s rookie class, and Chamberlain averaged a league-best 37.6 points and 27.0 rebounds per game that season. It’s no surprise who won Rookie of the Year, because the same man also won the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

Howell followed up his strong rookie campaign by making the first of his six All-Star Game appearances in his second pro season, averaging 23.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.

In his five seasons with the Pistons, Howell was an All-Star four times. He also earned an All-NBA nod with the Pistons in 1963. Howell had All-Star seasons with the Baltimore Bullets and Boston Celtics, and won two NBA championships with the Celtics. He later joined Chamberlain in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Home/Detroit Pistons