Category: Franchise Tournament

All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Milwaukee Bucks

Our first Sweet Sixteen match features perhaps the greatest franchise in NBA history facing off against a former powerhouse who has struggled to stay relevant in recent seasons. Is this a mismatch? Or can Kareem Abdul-Jabbar carry his team to another upset victory? Here is the battle between the All-Time Boston Celtics vs. All-Time Milwaukee Bucks.

Celtics vs. Bucks 2

Key Matchups

Bill Russell, Dave Cowens, and Robert Parish vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Vin Baker: Milwaukee’s biggest strength, the play of their legendary big man, will be tested by Boston’s trio of Hall-of-Famers. Russell never had a chance to play against Jabbar, but Cowens and Parish had extensive experience going against him. Cowens played against the Milwaukee version of Jabbar in the 1974 NBA Finals, and unsurprisingly struggled to slow him down (Jabbar averaged 32.6 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.4 APG, and shot .524 from the field, while Cowens averaged 22.7 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, and shot .439). Jabbar doesn’t have a true backup center, however, so he’ll have to play big minutes in this series. The fastbreak ability of Russell and Parish, along with the bruising relentlessness of Cowens, may wind up wearing him down.

Boston’s bench vs. Milwaukee’s bench: The Celtics feature a bench without any weaknesses. Milwaukee has a solid bench, led by their dynamic point guard duo (Oscar Robertson and the underrated Sam Cassell), but they’ll be hard pressed to stay with the Celtics’ Hall-of-Famers.

Biggest Mismatch

Boston’s big man depth vs. Milwaukee’s big man depth: In addition to their three centers, the Celtics have Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, and Tommy Heinsohn, all of whom can play power forward. Milwaukee only has Vin Baker and Terry Cummings besides Jabbar, so they’ll have to play some small-ball lineups featuring Marques Johnson or Bob Dandridge at the four.

Expect the Celtics to swarm Abdul-Jabbar Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Expect the Celtics to swarm Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Copyright © Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com

X-Factor

The first season for Milwaukee was 1968-69, which was the final year of Bill Russell’s Celtics dynasty. Six players on the All-Time Celtics team had already established themselves in Boston before the Bucks even existed. Boston had a 22 year head start on Milwaukee, and won 10 titles in that time (and an 11th in the Bucks’ first year of existence).

Results

The Celtics use their great depth to outlast a game Bucks team. The old guard celebrates another playoff victory.

Red_and_Me_Part_Two_Bill_Russell_and_Red_Auerbach

Celtics win, four games to one.

Next Round

Boston faces the winner of the All-Time Magic vs. All-Time Heat.

All-Time Boston Celtics Team

All-Time Boston Celtics Team Infographic 4

Our last profile details the top seed in our tournament, the All-Time Boston Celtics Team. Not surprisingly, every single player on this roster is either already in the Hall of Fame, or will be inducted as soon as they are eligible. They have the most combined all-star game and all-NBA appearances of any franchise team, and have some of the most recognizable names in basketball history. They also have perhaps the tournament’s most balanced roster, with a mix of offensive and defensive play makers that will confound their opposition.

Bob Cousy is the easy choice for starting lead guard. Cousy was the premier play maker of his era, capturing eight straight assist titles from 1953 to 1960. After his rookie year, he made the All-NBA first team for 10 straight years, and helped Boston capture six titles in his final seven seasons. Speaking of championships, the starting two guard, Sam Jones, helped Boston win 10 titles in his 12 seasons with the team. While he wasn’t as decorated as some of his contemporaries, he was well known for his clutch play, as his legendary teammate once described (quoted from Elliot Kalb’s entertaining book, Who’s Better, Who’s Best in Basketball?): “Whenever the pressure was greatest, Sam was eager for the ball. Sam Jones had a champion’s heart. Under pressure, we had hidden on our team a class superstar of the highest caliber…in the seventh game of a championship series, I’ll take Sam over any player who’s ever walked on a court.” Jo Jo White, the backup point guard, was a key member of the Celtics’ two championship teams in the 1970s. His long Boston career allowed him to edge out Dennis Johnson, another worthy candidate, who is among several legends to miss the cut for this stacked roster. Bill Sharman is the backup two guard, and is among several bench players who have a convincing case for inclusion in the starting lineup. He was among the greatest free throw shooters in NBA history, and may have been the best shooter of his era.

Larry Bird, the starting small forward, is among the greatest players in NBA history. He captured three straight MVP awards from 1984 through 1986, and was one of the greatest shooters and passers who ever played at his position. Kevin McHale, who earned this author’s vote as the ninth greatest power forward in history, will start at the four. McHale was a master in the low post, and doubled as a defensive stopper who could guard a range of positions effectively. Off the bench, John Havlicek was one of the greatest forwards in NBA history, and was also an overqualified sixth man at the beginning of his career, who will fill that role for this team as well. Known for his clutch play and his tireless energy on the basketball court, “Hondo” was one of the game’s greatest all-around players, and he’ll play at both shooting guard and small forward for this team. Paul Pierce was one of the best pure scorers in team history, averaging over 25.0 PPG five times in his career, during a low-scoring era. He’ll also play both two guard and small forward, and he adds another three-point shooting threat to the roster. Tommy Heinsohn is now best known for his role as a beloved homer announcer, but he was first a Hall-of-Fame player (and coach) who could play both forward positions.

Bill Russell, perhaps the greatest defensive player in NBA history, is the starting center. Russell famously won 11 championships in his 13 seasons, an unfathomable record that is likely never to be broken in any of the four major sports. His unique impact was recognized by his peers, as he was voted MVP five times in an era when players voted on this award. He was also a phenomenal passer who will combine with Cousy and Bird to give Boston arguably the best passing starting lineup in the tournament. He’s backed up by Dave Cowens, who made up for his (relatively) small stature with an unrelenting work ethic. Cowens led the team to two titles in the 1970s, and he was another excellent passer for his position. The third center, Robert Parish, was a stoic pillar of the 1980s championship teams who was remarkably consistent in his 14 years with the franchise. Ed Macauley and Kevin Garnett are notable omissions from this deep frontcourt, both of whom would warrant inclusion on almost any other franchise team.

This team should be able to wear opponents out with their great depth. With 17 championships, they are our top-seeded team, and face the All-Time Milwaukee Bucks team in the second round of our tournament.

Coach: Red Auerbach

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .588

All-Time Brooklyn Nets vs. All-Time Los Angeles Clippers

Our next match features two big-market teams that have accomplished very little in their time in the NBA. While the Nets had a brief run as a juggernaut in the ABA, they’ve mostly been a laughingstock since, save for a noteworthy stint behind a Hall-of-Fame point guard in the 2000s. The Clippers had a promising start as the Buffalo Braves, but then became the worst franchise in sports, before finally trading for another Hall-of-Fame point guard and becoming an annual contender over the past four seasons. These point guards are the featured match up in the battle between the All-Time Brooklyn Nets vs. All-Time Los Angeles Clippers, which will produce an unlikely second round participant in our tournament.

Brooklyn’s Advantages

Balance: The Nets have a well-constructed starting lineup. They have a low post scorer (Derrick Coleman) along with a bruising rebounder (Buck Williams). They have two athletic wings, both of whom can shoot from deep and slash to the rim (Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson). They also have a great floor general who will double as their premier perimeter defender (Jason Kidd). This unit will cause trouble for the Clippers’ power forward heavy lineup.

Wing Depth: The Nets are well-positioned to take advantage of one of Los Angeles’s biggest weaknesses, wing depth. Carter, Jefferson, and Kerry Kittles are all between 6’5” and 6’7”, and are all supremely athletic. Los Angeles may have to play at a slower pace to mitigate this issue and wear Brooklyn out with their assortment of big men.

Brooklyn’s Question Marks

Star Power: This is a relative term; the Nets have a potential Hall-of-Fame backcourt and all-stars littered throughout their roster. However, they only have two players with a PER above 20, and Carter has their highest WS/48 total at .148, a relatively low team-high compared to other franchises in this tournament. The Clippers appear to have more high-end talent, especially in their starting lineup, even if the pieces don’t fit together perfectly.

Los Angeles’s Advantages

Rebounding: The Clippers are starting three big men (Blake Griffin, Elton Brand, and Bob McAdoo), and have two former rebounding champions coming off their bench (Swen Nater and DeAndre Jordan). They should be able to control the glass in this series, and to wear out the Nets’ frontcourt in the process.

Los Angeles’s Question Marks

Spacing: How will the starting lineup function with Griffin nominally playing at small forward? Will the combination of Griffin, Brand, and McAdoo get in each other’s way, or mesh to form a dominant frontcourt?

X-Factor

Can the Nets exploit the Clippers big man lineup? The key for the Clippers will be Griffin, who has the athleticism to play credibly at small forward. Expect Doc Rivers to stagger Griffin, Brand, and McAdoo’s minutes after the opening of each game, and to play the athletic Corey Maggette heavy minutes at the three.

Results

The Clippers have been an NBA wasteland for the majority of their existence. However, they had a few respectable seasons back in their Buffalo Braves days, and they’ve been elite since Chris Paul has teamed up with Blake Griffin. They also lucked out by drawing the moribund Nets as their first-round tournament opponent. I can’t believe I’m about to type this. Do you believe in miracles?

Chris_Paul_Heroics_Lead_Clippers_to_Game_7_Victory

Clippers win, four games to three.

Next Round

Los Angeles takes on the All-Time Pistons.

All-Time Los Angeles Clippers Team

All-Time Los Angeles Clippers Team Infographic

Our next franchise was the epitome of failure for much of their existence. Led by the contemptible Donald Sterling, they managed to make only four playoff appearances in their first 33 seasons on the west coast, after moving over from Buffalo. Recently, three events have helped to turn around their fortunes and make them an annual contender. First, they used the first pick in the 2009 draft on Blake Griffin, a hyper-athletic forward who helped to electrify their fan base. Then, David Stern blocked a trade that would have sent the great Chris Paul to the rival Lakers, allowing the Clippers to ultimately land him in what became a laughably one-sided trade. Finally, Sterling became embroiled in a scandal that resulted in his banishment from the league, and forced him to finally sell the franchise. Now that their baggage has been removed, they’re poised to remain a contender for years to come, and an attractive free-agent destination for the first time ever. The All-Time Los Angeles Clippers team reflects this promise, with three contributors from the present-day team that make them more competitive than their franchise history warrants.

Several advanced statistics have Paul rated as the greatest point guard of all time. He’s third in league history in win shares per 48 minutes, behind Michael Jordan and David Robinson. He’s sixth all-time in PER, and first among point guards. While playoff success has eluded him, he’s one of the greatest players ever at his position, and his arrival immediately brought credibility to this franchise. He’s joined in the starting backcourt by Randy Smith, a throwback to the Buffalo Braves days who once set a league record for consecutive games played at 906. They’re backed up by Norm Nixon, a talented play maker who led the league in total assists in his first year with the club, and Corey Maggette, a high scoring wing whose knack for drawing fouls helped him compile a .578 true shooting percentage as a Clipper.

The starting frontcourt consists of three natural power forwards, each of whom brings a unique skill set to the table. Griffin has developed into one of the best players in the current NBA, with the rare ability to handle the basketball and initiate his team’s offense as a big man. Elton Brand helped to briefly resurrect the franchise in the 2000s by serving as the pillar of a young team that came within one game of reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2006. Although he didn’t have elite size (6’8”), he excelled at offensive rebounding and used his solid mid-range and post-up games to average over 20 PPG and 10 RPG in his Clippers career. Bob McAdoo is the most decorated player in franchise history. One of the greatest shooting big men of all time, he led the league in scoring three years in a row (1974 to 1976), peaking in the 1975 season, when he averaged 34.5 PPG and 14.1 RPG, and won the only MVP award in franchise history.

Off the bench, Bob Kauffman and Charles Smith can play at both forward positions. Kauffman was a three-time all-star who averaged 19.0 PPG, 10.7 RPG, and 4.5 APG from 1971 to 1973. Smith is best known for this (and more recently, this), but as a Clipper, he was a high scoring option who twice eclipsed the 20.0 PPG barrier. Danny Manning was a multitalented power forward who should fit well alongside the other frontcourt options. Swen Nater and DeAndre Jordan are true big men who will provide this team with two physical options against opposing frontcourts. Nater led the league in rebounding in 1980, while Jordan has led the league in rebounding for the past two seasons, and in field goal percentage for the past three.

Despite never winning 50 or more games in their first 42 seasons of operation, the All-Time Clippers team has a good amount of talent. The 22nd seeded team in our tournament, they have a first-round match up against the All-Time Brooklyn Nets.

Coach: Doc Rivers

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .389

All-Time Brooklyn Nets Team

All-Time Brooklyn Nets Team Infographic

The All-Time Brooklyn Nets team is…lacking. It’s lacking the clear-cut greatest player in franchise history, Julius Erving, because he only played three seasons with the franchise (sorry Nets fans, but these are the rules of our tournament). It’s also lacking other greats such as Rick Barry and Drazen Petrovic, due to the same longevity issue. What we’re left with is an underwhelming group that reflects the team’s standing as an NBA also-ran and fails to adequately commemorate their two ABA championships. Even though those championships make them our 11th seeded team, their lack of high-end talent makes them susceptible to an early-round exit.

Since Erving is ineligible, the great Jason Kidd is the team’s best player, and is one of only three players to be a member of three of our all-time franchise teams (along with Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O’Neal). Kidd led the Nets through an historically weak Eastern Conference and to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. He’s joined in the starting backcourt by Vince Carter, an elite scorer in his time with the franchise, who represented them on three all-star teams. While the Carter-Kidd backcourt failed to put the team over the top from 2005 to 2008, they had complementary skill sets, and were lethal in the open court. They’re backed up by another three-time all-star, Bill Melchionni, who twice led the ABA in assists and was a contributor to the two championship teams in 1974 and 1976. Kenny Anderson, the talented New York product who never lived up to the enormous expectations placed on him, will serve as the third point guard. Otis Birdsong, a one-time all-star with the Nets, will back up Carter along with Kerry Kittles, a solid all-around player who ranks in the top ten in team history in field goals, three pointers, total points, and steals.

While Richard Jefferson, the starting small forward, was not Erving or Barry, he was a dynamic wing who played well off of Kidd. He became a competent three point shooter in his latter years with the franchise, and provided elite athleticism for his size. Buck Williams is the greatest big man in franchise history, and is the all-time Nets leader in games, minutes, field goals, free throws, rebounds (total, offensive, and defensive), rebounds per game, total points, and win shares. They’re backed up Kenyon Martin, a plus two-way player, who provided toughness and athleticism from the power forward position. Although he’s infamous for his 3-for-23 shooting performance in game six of the 2003 NBA Finals, Martin’s offensive game was well-suited for a complementary role, which he should be able to assume as an off-the-bench contributor for this team.

Although he was a natural power forward, Derrick Coleman will serve as the team’s starting center. Coleman was one of the most talented big men of the 1990s, who, unfortunately, developed a horrible reputation during his time with the franchise. Like Anderson, he didn’t live up to the enormous expectations placed upon him, but he was a two-time all-NBA selection who averaged a double-double in his Nets career. Off the bench, Billy Paultz was an elite ABA big man who was an excellent shooter for his size. Brook Lopez, the team’s current center, will also get minutes as a dangerous scoring threat who can use his elite size (7’0” 275 lb) to protect the rim.

This team consists of many solid pieces, but does not have the mix of hall-of-fame legends that many of their competitors in our tournament boast. They have an intriguing first-round match up with the Los Angeles Clippers, another also-ran who has only recently developed into a competitive franchise.

Coach: Kevin Loughery

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .440

All-Time Detroit Pistons vs. All-Time Charlotte Hornets

Commentary

Not even close.

Results

Detroit wins, four games to none.

Next Round

Detroit faces the winner of the All-Time Nets vs. All-Time Clippers.

More Commentary

Since Dennis Rodman is a key member of the Pistons, this seems like a good time to contextualize his incredible rebounding totals. Rodman almost had two different pro careers. In his first incarnation, in his early years with Detroit, he was one of the most versatile defenders in NBA history, capable of guarding everyone from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson. In his second act, he became obsessed with the art of rebounding. Many believe that he was the greatest ever at this skill, but the all-time rebounding numbers are skewed in favor of players who played in a faster-paced league. How did Rodman’s rebounding compare to his predecessors? Below are the best rebounding seasons for every player in history who has ever averaged over 17 rebounds per game. Note that each player only has his best season listed; Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell hold the 18 highest rebounding seasons in NBA history.

The numbers in this chart help to provide some context for the rebounding averages you see next to each player’s name. Team pace is an estimate of each team’s number of possessions per 48 minutes. In 1991-92, the Detroit Pistons pace was estimated at 91.6; compare this to Wilt Chamberlain’s record breaking 1960-61 campaign, when the Warriors were estimated to average 40 more possessions per game. Since rebounding numbers for opposing teams are not available in the basketball-reference.com database for early seasons, we calculated the average number of league rebounds per game in each year that is listed. Obviously, some teams played at faster and slower paces than their peers, but this provides a measure for the number of rebounds that were available in a typical NBA game in the year that is listed. In 1991-92, there were 87.3 rebounds per game (league wide), and Rodman’s 18.7 RPG accounted for 21.4 percent of all rebounds in a typical game. In the 1960-61 season, there were 146.6 rebounds per game! It’s not surprising that the 1960-61 season produced three players on this list (Chamberlain, Bob Pettit, and Elgin Baylor), each of whom had significantly lower percentages than Rodman. Since 1970-71, total rebound percentage can be tracked to measure the percentage of rebounds a player gathered while he was on the floor. Rodman grabbed over a quarter of the rebounds available in his 1991-92 season, which is three percentage points higher than Moses Malone in his incredible 1978-79 campaign. Finally, we have a look at the closest competitor in each season’s rebounds per game race. Only five players on this list actually led their league in rebounds per game; Nate Thurmond, Jerry Lucas, Pettit, Baylor, Walt Bellamy, Wes Unseld, and Maurice Stokes were all eclipsed by Chamberlain or Russell in their career-high seasons. Moses Malone had the widest disparity between his next closest competitor of all the other players on this list, while Chamberlain and Rodman had virtually identical leads in their rebounding races, despite Chamberlain’s higher raw totals.

The greatest rebounding seasons in NBA history, by raw averages, virtually all came in an era where the game was played at a breakneck pace, with a plethora of missed shots, which hardly resembles modern-day basketball. Rodman’s 1991-92 season, in which he averaged 18.7 RPG, came 13 seasons after the second most contemporary season on this list, Moses Malone’s 1978-79 campaign. While this is by no means a comprehensive analysis, it does help to show that Rodman’s 1991-92 season may have been the best career-high rebounding season in NBA history.

All-Time Charlotte Hornets Team

All-Time Charlotte Hornets Team Infographic

I’ve already detailed the confusing history of our next franchise. They vanished into thin air in the 2003 and 2004 seasons, only to be reincarnated as the woeful Bobcats, before getting back their beloved team name 10 years later. Many of the best players in franchise history – including Alonzo Mourning, Glen Rice, Anthony Mason (RIP), Baron Davis, and Al Jefferson – were ineligible for inclusion on their all-time team, due to not playing enough seasons with the franchise. And while we could throw them a bone and include these players anyway, they’ve been in existence for a total of 25 years, which should be enough to comply with the rules (as previous teams have shown). The All-Time Charlotte Hornets team would have a tough time competing in the 2015-16 NBA season, much less in this tournament of legends, where they’ll serve as road kill for their first-round opponent.

The starting point guard, Muggsy Bogues, is best known as the shortest player in NBA history (5’3”), but he was more than a novelty act; he was a good play maker who had a 4.75:1 career assist-to-turnover ratio. He wasn’t a good outside shooter, however, and will struggle to guard many of the larger point guards in this tournament. Dell Curry, the starting shooting guard, is best known for the work of his son, but he was an excellent shooter in Charlotte who won a Sixth Man of the Year award. There are plenty of guard options off the bench, though none of them are overly impressive. Kemba Walker is a high usage, low efficiency point guard. Raymond Felton was the product of the Bobcats’ seemingly endless bad draft luck. In 2005, they won only 18 games, and tied for the second worst record in the league, but they received the fifth pick in the draft, and watched Deron Williams and Chris Paul get drafted right before they selected the mediocre Felton. David Wesley and Kendall Gill were both solid off guards; Wesley was a more diminutive (6’0”) player who could also play at the point, while Gill had good size for his position (6’5”) and could also play at small forward. Gerald Henderson has shown flashes on the recent Charlotte teams, but is another average player who doesn’t move the needle for this squad.

The starting forwards are the only two players on the team who have made an all-star game in Charlotte. Gerald Wallace, AKA Crash, was an excellent all-around player who competed hard on both ends of the court. Larry Johnson was the first pick in the 1991 draft, and many envisioned him as the second coming of Charles Barkley. While back trouble derailed his promising career, he was still an offensive force with Charlotte, who also put up impressive assist numbers from the power forward position. Emeka Okafor, the starting center, was a very good rim protector who averaged a double-double in his Charlotte career. Off the bench, Elden Campbell and Nazr Mohammed provide size and rim protection, and should get plenty of minutes behind the smaller starters.

What started off as a very promising franchise has devolved into one of the laughingstocks of the NBA. Even their legendary owner’s reputation has taken a hit since he took over the team. An influx of talent is needed to turn around the fortunes of both the modern day and all-time franchise teams, but, unfortunately, there does not seem to be much help coming on the horizon.

Coach: Dave Cowens

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .434

All-Time Detroit Pistons Team

All-Time Detroit Pistons Team Infographic

Deeeeeeeetroit Baaaaaaaasketbaaaaaall! Our next franchise has made five NBA Finals appearances since 1988, with two selfless teams that suffocated opponents on the defensive end, and epitomized team play on offense. Prior to 1988, they only had two 50 win seasons in their history (which dates back to 1949), though they did make back-to-back Finals appearances in 1955 and 1956, when they operated out of Fort Wayne. As we’ve seen before, when you’ve been around so long, you’re likely to have had many great players in your history, in spite of the inevitable rough patches. The All-Time Detroit Pistons team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, featuring a mix of great players from different eras of NBA history.

Isiah Thomas is the leader of this team, and is the easy choice for starting point guard. Thomas was one of the greatest clutch players of all time, averaging 20.4 PPG and 8.9 APG in 111 playoff games, and he was responsible for some of the most memorable moments in playoff history (including this, which may have been the best performance in NBA Finals history). Surprisingly, Thomas’s advanced statistics are not too impressive, but his leadership role on two championship teams, his clutch play, and his scoring and passing ability made him one of the greatest point guards ever. Fellow Hall-of-Famer Dave Bing joins Thomas in the starting backcourt. Bing was another primary ballhandler who excelled at the drive and kick game, but both guards have the scoring and shooting acumen to play well off of each other. Off the bench, “Mr. Big Shot” Chauncey Billups was an excellent all-around player who spaced the floor and played elite defense from the point guard position. Hall-of-Famer Joe Dumars, another great all-around option, will play well off of the three other guards, and provides them with another terrific defensive option.

For six seasons in Detroit, starting small forward Grant Hill was one of the best players in the NBA. A prolific point forward, Hill could run an offense to perfection, and fill the lane in transition. In the 1997 season, Hill finished third in the MVP voting, averaging 21.4 PPG, 9.0 RPG, and 7.3 APG, while leading a fairly pedestrian Pistons team to 54 wins. The starting power forward, Dennis Rodman, is one of the handful of greatest defensive players in NBA history. When he focused on rebounding, he became arguably the greatest ever at that skill, and led the league in his last two seasons in Detroit. Off the bench, Hall-of-Famer George Yardley will help to space the floor with his deadly jump shot. The first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in one season, he was also a tremendous athlete, whose game should translate well across eras. Bailey Howell, a double-double machine who twice led the league in true shooting percentage (once in Detroit), provides another prolific scoring and rebounding option off the bench.

Bob Lanier, the starting center, was one of the more underrated centers in NBA history. He never made an All-NBA team despite averaging over 20 PPG and 10 RPG for seven straight years as a Piston, and he’ll anchor this team’s offense with his low-post play. Ben Wallace, who played both power forward and center, won four Defensive Player of the Year awards in a five year period. He also won two rebounding titles as a Piston, and was a key cog in their unlikely title run in 2004. Larry Foust helped lead the team to the aforementioned Finals appearances in 1955 and 1956, when he led the league in win shares per 48 minutes in both seasons. The notorious Bill Laimbeer, who, along with Thomas, was the leader of the infamous Bad Boy championship teams, adds rebounding, toughness, and outside shooting from the backup center position.

This team is deep, tremendously versatile, and features two of the greatest defenders in recent NBA history. When they need a defensive stop, they can trot out a lineup with Rodman, Wallace, Dumars, and Billups, which will cause nightmares for opposing offenses. The number six seed in our tournament, they have a first-round match up with the All-Time Charlotte Hornets.

Coach: Chuck Daly

All-Time Franchise Winning Percentage (through 2014-15): .487