The Detroit Pistons have been contending for the NBA Finals since 1957.

Many of us remember the Pistons of the late 1980s and the first half of the new millennium. However, the Pistons have had quite a storied history, dating back to their emergence as a professional NBA basketball team in 1957.

Before the Pistons moved to Detroit in 1957, they called Fort Wayne, Indiana, their hometown. The Pistons had represented Fort Wayne for 16 seasons. Ironically, when the Pistons moved to Detroit, they had moved to the capital of planet Earth for car manufacturing. Therefore, “Pistons” seemed quite appropriate. As a side note, the team was originally named the Pistons after Fred Zollner, its founder. Zollner owned Zollner Machine Works, which made (you guessed it) pistons.

Surprisingly, the Detroit Pistons performed quite well during their debut season. They finished the season with a 33-39 record. In the playoffs, the Pistons faced the Cincinnati Royals and won the series 2-0. However, the Pistons lost the Western Conference Finals to the St. Louis Hawks.

The Pistons have achieved a lot of success throughout the history of the franchise. They have been division champions nine times, played in 13 conference finals, appeared in five NBA finals and have become NBA champions in three different years: 1989, 1990 and 2004.

Although the Pistons most recently reached the NBA Finals in 2004 and 2005, they also played in that series in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

1987-1988 season
After losing the previous year in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons had another breakout season, posting a 54-28 record and the Central Division crown. The Pistons outscored the Washington Bullets in the playoffs, with a 3-2 win. Then they easily got rid of the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics. With a 3-2 series lead, the Pistons were unable to beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, losing in Game 7, 108-105.

1988-1989 season
This season, the Pistons were all business. They finished the regular season with a 63-19 record and then swept the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs. They then battled the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, eventually winning the series 4-2. The Los Angeles Lakers suffered more than their hurt feelings in the NBA Finals, with the Pistons sweeping the series 4-0.

1989-1990 season
Continuing their winning ways, the Pistons finished the season with a solid 59-23 record. They found the Indiana Pacers and then the New York Knicks in the playoffs. The Pistons’ defense later helped them get past the Bulls in the Eastern Finals, in seven games. In the NBA Finals, the Pistons faced the Portland Trailblazers. After taking a 3-1 series lead, the Pistons rallied to win Game 5 on the road. They were consecutive NBA champions!

Since their first season in the NBA, a strong will to win has fueled the success of the Detroit Pistons. Although not every season has resulted in a championship ring, the Pistons have remained staunch competitors. With the help of Detroit Pistons Merchandise, cheer on your next run to the NBA Finals!