Detroit Pistons: 10 best power forwards in team history
By Amaar Burton
Known for their grit, grind and hustle as a franchise, it’s only fitting that the Detroit Pistons have employed some of the game’s elite power forwards.
Before ridiculously tall and talented men like Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett came along with their shooting range and versatile skill-sets to accelerate the pace of evolution, power forward was a traditionally rugged position in the NBA. Likewise, the Detroit Pistons are a traditionally rugged NBA franchise.
Combine the two and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Pistons have a strong lineage of standout performers at the power forward spot.
In fact, some of the most notorious “tough guys” in league history played power forward for the Pistons, from Dennis Rodman to Rick Mahorn to Rasheed Wallace.
Another look at Detroit’s all-time roster reveals a string of short-term rentals of former stars at the position. Chris Webber, Antonio McDyess, Otis Thorpe, Josh Smith and Christian Laettner are some of the notable power forwards who found their way to Detroit after the star-level primes of their respective careers.
Before the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline passed on Feb. 7, there was a chance Blake Griffin could’ve been added to that list of short-term rentals.
Griffin has only been with the Pistons a little more than a year, but leading up to the deadline there were some rumors and reports that the four-time All-NBA selection wanted out of Detroit. Griffin ended up staying put.
Where would Griffin, who was recently named to the 2019 All-Star Game for his sixth selection, rank all-time among Pistons power forwards? Here is the top 10.