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) /

9 of 11

(Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Kelly Tripucka (1981-82)

Isiah Thomas wasn’t the best rookie on the 1981-82 Detroit Pistons. That distinction goes to Kelly Tripucka.

The 6’6″ small forward out of Notre Dame — drafted 10 spots after Thomas — averaged 21.6 points per game to go along with 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.1 steals. He was a fraction of a point from being the team’s leading scorer (shooting guard John Long averaged 21.9 points), and he started all 82 games for Detroit.

Tripucka made the All-Star Game that year along with Thomas. Both rookies also made the All-Rookie Team, and while Thomas finished 17th in the race for league MVP, Tripucka finished 11th in MVP voting.

For a brief stretch, Tripucka was one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers of his era. He played five seasons for the Pistons (making the All-Star Game again in 1984) before he was sent to the Utah Jazz as part of the Adrian Dantley trade in 1986.

Home/Detroit Pistons