AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Four Pistons were named to the All-Star team last season and everyone agreed Tayshaun Prince very easily could have been, too. Four Pistons earned mention when the NBA All-Defensive teams were announced at the end of the season – Ben Wallace first team, Chauncey Billups and Prince second team, Rasheed Wallace getting votes – and no one said a word about Rip Hamilton being snubbed.

“It’s almost a crime that he doesn’t get mentioned, because we think of him as a great defender,” Pistons president Joe Dumars said of Hamilton. “It’s strictly because of reputation.”

Yet the Pistons’ team defensive prowess over recent seasons seems to have worked the other way for his teammates, Billups especially. Dumars thinks he knows why.

“Chauncey is more of a control guy, a strong guard,” Dumars said. “People associate that with, ‘OK, he must be a really good defender as well.’ And he is a really good, solid defender. But if you’re a slim guy like Rip and you move well without the ball, people don’t associate you with a great defender.”

At 6-foot-7 with even longer arms and above average foot speed and quickness, Hamilton can guard anyone from point guards to small forwards, if need be. The Pistons have used him to guard Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.

“It’s mind-boggling to us that Rip Hamilton does not get more credit for what he does on the defensive end of the floor,” Pistons vice president John Hammond said. “You go back and watch tapes of Rip guarding, he’ll guard three positions and he’s guarded the LeBron Jameses and Tracy McGradys of the world. I think he’s vastly underrated as a defender, and one of the reasons is he’s so efficient scoring the ball.”

“I think he is a fantastic defender,” Dumars said. “I don’t think he’s just a good defender. I think he’s fantastic. We’ve put him on Paul Pierce, we’ve put him on Tony Parker, he’s guarded Kobe. He’s been great.”