AUBURN HILLS, Mich. --- The Detroit Pistons will honor Bob Lanier, one of the greatest big men in Pistons history, on Friday, March 31 when they host the Milwaukee Bucks, coincidentally the team the Pistons traded Lanier to in 1980, for an 8:00 p.m. game and the last Flashback Friday of the season.

Click to View Next Game: Friday, March 31 vs. Bucks The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a Bob Lanier figurine courtesy of Sprite and The Detroit Free Press Fifth Third Bank Photo Night AAA Michigan Show Your Card Night Friends and Family Night Sold out!

The Pistons are honoring Lanier, known affectionately as “The Dobber”, by permanently securing his name and number 16 on the sidelines of the Pistons court.

Before the game, the first 10,000 fans will receive commemorative Lanier figurines, courtesy of Sprite and The Detroit Free Press. The figurines are individually numbered and packaged in commemorative and collectible boxes.

Lanier’s number 16 was hung from The Palace rafters on January 9, 1993. During his Pistons career, Lanier averaged 22.7 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game. Lanier is STILL in the Top Ten in 10 Pistons all-time career categories, including the number one career scoring average and the number two all-time rebounder. The Dobber was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on May 11, 1992.

The Pistons have planned a halftime ceremony where they will play a video detailing Lanier’s life and career. George Blaha, the voice of the Pistons, will introduce Lanier to the crowd and the organization will unveil the permanent “signage” on the court. Lanier will briefly address the crowd.

The Pistons/Palace Foundation will present Lanier with a check in the amount of $5,000 to be donated to the Bob Lanier Center on his behalf. The Bob Lanier Center offers math and reading tutoring to students K-12 in the Buffalo, NY area.

Flashback Friday nights:

Date	Tip-Off	Pistons Legend	Opponent	Buy Tickets!
Friday, November 23	8:00 p.m.	Dave Bing	Washington Wizards	DET 114, WAS 120 (2OT)
Friday, December 2	8:00 p.m.	Isiah Thomas	New York Knicks	DET 106, NYK 98
Friday, December 16	8:00 p.m.	Bill Davidson*	Chicago Bulls	DET 110, CHI 82
Friday, December 23	8:00 p.m.	Joe Dumars	Golden State Warriors	DET 97, GSW 85
Friday, January 6	8:00 p.m.	Bill Laimbeer	Seattle Super Sonics	DET 97, SEA 85
Friday, January 27	8:00 p.m.	Vinnie Johnson	Memphis Grizzlies	DET 95, MEM 89
Sunday, March 12	6:00 p.m.	Chuck Daly	Charlotte Bobcats	DET 94, CHA 78
Friday, March 31	8:00 p.m.	Bob Lanier	Milwaukee Bucks	Sold out!
*The first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a collectible replica of The Palace of Auburn Hills in honor of Bill Davidson courtesy of Cingular Wireless

Rock Financial, Michigan’s largest mortgage company, is the presenting sponsor for the 2005-06 Detroit Pistons. For more information about Rock Financial, please visit www.rockfinancial.com. For more information regarding Flashback Fridays or to become a member of the Detroit Pistons Crew (ticket plan holders), please contact The Palace at (248) 337-0100 or log on to www.pistons.com.