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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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Isiah Thomas (1981-82)

Going into the 1981 NBA Draft, the Pistons were struggling. Detroit had not made the playoffs in four years, and the franchise was still figuring itself out following the end of the Bob Lanier era.

Fortunately, the Pistons had two picks in the first round of that year’s draft. With the No. 2 choice, Detroit landed Isiah Thomas, the 6’1″ point guard who had just led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship.

As a rookie, Thomas averaged 17.0 points, 7.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. He was voted an All-Star and to the All-Rookie Team. He also finished 17th in league MVP voting after helping the Pistons engineer an 18-win turnaround from the previous season; going 39-43 after going 21-61 before his arrival.

The Pistons didn’t make the playoffs in Thomas’ rookie year. They wouldn’t return to the postseason until 1984, but from there it was an epic rise to the top of the mountain. In 1989, Thomas led Detroit to the franchise’s first-ever NBA championship. He did it again in 1990, earning Finals MVP honors.

Thomas played 13 seasons in the league, all with the Pistons, putting together a Hall of Fame career. To this day he is considered a top-five point guard all-time and the greatest player in the history of the Pistons.

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