Detroit Pistons: Top 5 Small Forwards in Team History
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The Detroit Pistons have had some stellar small forwards over the years, but which ones stand out the most? Here the top five SFs in team history.
No. 5: Adrian Dantley
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No. 5: Adrian Dantley
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Adrian Dantley averaged 24.3 points per game and 5.7 rebounds throughout his career. An explosive scorer for the Pistons from 1986-89, Dantley helped Detroit become one of the premier teams in the league. Although he alienated some of his bad boy teammates and was traded in '89 before the Pistons won back-to-back titles, Dantley did enough to belong on the list.
No. 4 Mark Aguirre
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No. 4: Mark Aguirre
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Mark Aguirre was traded to the Pistons in 1989 for Adrian Dantley. Since that trade, Detroit got over the hump and won back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990. He was clearly the missing piece to the Pistons' championship puzzle. An elite scorer in his prime, Aguirre sacrificed his individual numbers for the betterment of the team.
No. 3: Tayshaun Prince
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No. 3: Tayshaun Prince
Kim Klement-USA TODAY-Sports
Tayshaun Prince played just over 10 seasons with the Pistons and was a part of the 2004 championship that shut down Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. In fact, in his first six years in the league, Prince made it to at least the Conference Finals. Known as one of the best defenders in the NBA from 2003-08, Prince always took on the opposing team's best wing player. He made the All-Defensive team four times and made his mark in Pistons' history.
No. 2: Dennis Rodman
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY-Sports
No. 2: Dennis Rodman
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY-Sports
Dennis Rodman was a small forward in his early years with Detroit and played a vital role in the Pistons' two title teams. Defensively, he could guard all five positions and was a menace on the glass. Rodman made the All-Defensive first team five years in a row with Detroit (1989-93), won two Defensive Player of the Year awards in a row (1990 & 1991), made two All-Star teams (1990 & 1992) and made the All-NBA third team in 1992.
No. 1: Grant Hill
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No. 1: Grant Hill
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY-Sports
There's no question that Grant Hill was a bonafide superstar during his time with the Pistons. Drafted in 1994, Hill played with Detroit for six seasons. He was a complete all-around player; think of a poor man's LeBron James. Hill averaged 21.5 points per game, 7.7 rebounds and over six assists during his stint with Detroit. He was the 1994-95 Rookie of the Year and made the All-NBA team five times. That cements himself No. 1 on this list.
Fuad Shalhout is a Detroit Pistons writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
Fuad Shalhout is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.