Pistons Make History With 50th Season In Detroit
In Play! Magazine
By Steve St. Pierre
Last season was indeed a historic one for the Pistons as they celebrated 50 years in the Motor City.
Among the many highlights of their celebration included the honoring of the Detroit Pistons’ All-Time Team in a special pre-game ceremony held April 8. The event took place at The Palace of Auburn Hills prior to Detroit’s game against the New York Knicks, who at the time were coached by former Pistons legend Isiah Thomas, one of 30 players to be named to the All-Time Team.
At halftime of the Pistons’ game March 29 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, the organization honored Jack McCloskey in a retirement ceremony. McCloskey, nicknamed “Trader Jack” during his tenure as the team’s General Manager 1979-1992, was responsible for assembling the Bad Boys, the Pistons’ teams who won consecutive NBA World Championships in 1989 and 1990. A banner with McCloskey’s name was raised to the rafters following speeches from Joe Dumars, Pistons President, and Chuck Daly, who coached the team during both title runs.
Perhaps the best memory of the 2007-08 Pistons campaign is the Pistons Cares Telethon Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation – Michigan Chapter, which was held March 14. The telethon ran throughout the day, from 6 a.m. into the evening when the Pistons hosted the San Antonio Spurs, as fans submitted their donations. It was the first time in Detroit sports history that a team devoted an entire day, including their game and their broadcast, to a telethon raising money for charity.
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