The Detroit Pistons evolved from a perennial NBA also-ran to a model NBA franchise, winning three championships in a 15-year period that spanned two distinct eras. The 2004 Pistons stunned the basketball world when they blew out the heavily favored LA Lakers in five games, 15 years after sweeping the Lakers in the 1989 Finals.

The link between the two eras is Joe Dumars, who won the MVP award in the ’89 Finals, and, as Pistons president of basketball operations, was the architect of the 2004 championship team.

Veteran sportscaster and author Eli Zaret recreates the history of the Pistons franchise, from its arrival in Detroit in 1957 through the 2004 title run, explaining in exhilarating detail how the so-called Bad Boy Pistons teams of the late ‘80s created the blueprint that helped produce the ’04 championship mix.

In Blue Collar Blueprint, Zaret allows the Pistons heroes themselves to detail the team’s history. Isiah Thomas reveals how he dealt with the pressures of leadership and how he managed to overcome his tragic pass to Larry Bird that may have cost the Pistons the 1987 championship. Bill Laimbeer describes what he feels is the essential element of winning in sports, and Grant Hill will disclose, in his first long form response, what motivated him to leave the team and why he feels he was so misunderstood in Detroit.

Each week during the regular season, Pistons.com will feature an excerpt from Blue Collar Blueprint. Blue Collar Blueprint is available at all Locker Room Stores and fine bookstores everywhere. Fans can also order Blue Collar Blueprint online at by clicking here. Below are the excerpts:

---

Chapter Five
Flip of the coin lands the Pistons Bob Lanier
The last place finish (in 1969-70) entitled the Pistons to a coin flip with San Diego for the No. 1 overall draft pick, which they won and wisely used to select Bob Lanier. The Pistons had been searching their entire existence for a franchise center. Seven-footers like Walter Dukes, Reggie Harding, Joe Strawder, Bellamy, and the Otto Moore had all proven to be substandard. Click here to read more.

Chapter Six
Pistons Take Chance on Young, Enthusiatsic Vitale
Immediately after the ’77-’78 season ended, Dick Vitale started beating the drum – hell-bent on getting the vacant Pistons job. Vitale had resigned as coach at the University of Detroit in November 1977 because of stomach problems. Vitale never kept secret his desire to coach in the NBA. Away from the sidelines for a season, he had been feeling much better. Click here to read more.

Chapter Nine
Pistons Draft Isiah Thomas and Kelly Tripucka
In Detroit, where a horrific 21-61 season produced no developing Pistons stars, Jack McCloskey held the No. 2 overall pick in the June draft. McCloskey wanted (Isiah) Thomas badly, but Dallas, which won just 15 games in the ‘80-’81 season, had the No. 1 pick. Common sense said they’d take Thomas. Click here to read more.


Chapter Nine
Pistons Trade For Bill Laimbeer
By midseason, with the trading deadline approaching, McCloskey struck again. The Pistons sat at 23-29. The 23 wins were already more than they’d had in either of the last two seasons. The Cavaliers, coached by Chuck Daly, gave the Pistons forward Kenny Carr and center Bill Laimbeer in exchange for forward Phil Hubbard, canter Paul Moleski, one of the Pistons ‘ two first round picks and both of their second round picks in the upcoming draft. Click here to read more.

Chapter 10
Kelly Tripucka Scores 56 Points vs. Chicago
By the end of January (1983), the Pistons had slipped to .500, but there was still a buzz at the Silverdome. On January 29, the Bulls came to town and Kelly Tripucka treated them to the greatest scoring exhibition in team history. He scored 56 points with great efficiency – hitting 17 of 25 from the field and 20 of 22 from the line. Tripucka looks back at his record-setting performance. Click here to read more.

Chapter 12
Pistons Play Downtown In Classic Playoff Battle
April 27, 1984 was a hot and muggy night downtown. The Tigers were hosting Cleveland and had just come off a road trip with a 16-1 overall record to begin their championship run. Ted Nugent, the self-proclaimed “Motor City Madman” was next door at Cobo, while the Pistons were hosting Game 5 at Joe Louis Arena against the Knicks. Isiah Thomas looks back at Game 5. Click here to read more.

Chapter 13
"The Microwave" Is Born
On May 5, 1985, the Pistons trailed 87-76 after three periods at Joe Louis Arena and were in danger of falling behind three games to one when Vinnie Johnson caught fire. In an amazing scoring display off the bench, Johnson scored 22 of 26 Pistons’ points in the period to pace a dramatic 102-99 win, and tie the series. Click here to read more.


Chapter 15
Choosing the "Worm"
Going into the 1986 draft, McCloskey decided to cash in his draft chit with the Kings as compensation for their signing of Terry Tyler the previous summer. McCloskey had the choice of exchanging first round picks with the Kings in either of the next two drafts. The Kings were entitled to the 11th pick and the Pistons 17th. Jack decided that the future was now, and opted to flop the picks rather than to wait another draft. Click here to read more.

Chapter 16
A "Man's Game"
Game 5 at the Omni signaled yet another benchmark for rough play. With elbows continuously flying, players were all but tackled to the floor. Every shot was met by wildly waving arms. Laimbeer and (Dominique) Wilkens became entangled and had to be broken apart in the third quarter. All the while, Thomas kept saying to both Laimbeer and Daly, “We’re gonna win it; we’re gonna win this game.” Click here to read more.