Second-greatest player in the history of each NBA franchise
Detroit Pistons: Joe Dumars
Greatest Player: Isiah Thomas
Joe Dumars spent the entirety of his 14-year career with the Detroit Pistons, contributing to the most memorable stretch of the franchise’s history while cementing a spot in their history book as well.
With Isiah Thomas already a perennial All-Star when Dumars was drafted, the two would form an incredible two-way backcourt that, along with a bruising frontcourt, turned the Pistons into title contenders.
Detroit would win the 1989 championship in what can now be referred to as Dumar’s breakout run. He was named Finals MVP with averages of 27.3 points and 6.0 assists per game, taking to task the defending champion — albeit injured — Lakers on the game’s grandest stage.
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It’s been 30 years since the Bad Boy Pistons made their incredible Finals run
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) June 13, 2019
■ Went 15-2, losing only to Jordan’s Bulls in the ECF
■ First title in franchise history
■ Finals MVP: Joe Dumars
■ Would go back-to-back after winning in 1990 pic.twitter.com/mG0VZxPMbx
Dumars would make his first of six All-Star appearances the following year, where the Pistons would once again emerge as champions.
Thomas took home Finals MVP honors, but it was Dumars who perhaps altered the course of the series against Portland with an incredible Game 3 performance of 33 points and five assists to help Detroit regain home court.
It was only after this game where Dumars was told of the passing of his father, Joe Dumars Jr., who died less than two hours before the start of Game 3. Even in grief, Dumars returned for Game 4 and dropped 26 and helped the Pistons clinch back-to-back titles in Game 5.