Detroit Pistons: 7 unforgettable moments of the Goin’ To Work Pistons

Becoming Mr. Big Shot

The 2004 Finals MVP became something of a cult hero in the Motor City, in no small part due to hitting clutch shot after clutch shot in critical situations.

When the Pistons were struggling, Billups was there to put the offense on his back. If Detroit needed a big bucket, you could expect the point guard to rush the ball down the court, post up his smaller defender, and get to the free throw line.

Then came the game-winners.

It arguably started on March 3, 2003. Detroit was down two to the Golden State Warriors with time running down.

Mr. Big Shot was born.

A little more than two weeks later, he rose to the occasion once again and dashed the Atlanta Hawks‘ hopes of an overtime upset.  The late Fred McLeod perfectly expressed the emotions of Pistons fans watching a star emerge:

But Chauncey’s finest buzzer-beater was yet to come.

In the second round of the 2004 Playoffs, the Pistons were trying to overcome the New Jersey Nets, who swept them the prior season.

With time winding down in Game Five, Detroit needed a miracle to force overtime.

That’s when Mr. Big Shot showed up.

The Nets went on to win the game, but Chauncey’s shot was the thing of legends and almost certainly promoted a sense of optimism that carried the Pistons to win the next two games en route to their championship.