It was only a matter of time….
Sometime during this season the Detroit Pistons will finally be retiring the numbers of former players Chauncey Billups aka “Mr Big Shot” and Ben Wallace aka “Big Ben”. According to the Detroit Free Press the games they get their number retired have not been announced, but expect them to be on different night during high profile games. That way these Pistons greats will be able to get all the recognition they truly deserve.
Billups and Wallace were apart of that legendary team that knocked off the star studded Lakers in five games back in the 2004 NBA Finals. Billups was that year’s finals MVP and the unquestioned leader of the team that made it to the eastern conference finals six straight times.
Wallace was a four time defensive player of the year and played a huge role in containing NBA legend Shaquille O’neal.
I’m curious if the Pistons will retire the other three numbers of that Detroit starting five. Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince (he’s still active), and Rasheed Wallace definitely deserve it with all the success they helped bring to that Pistons team. Plus if Ben Wallace was able to leave in 2006 while the other four stayed and continued to thrive it only seems right.
My next thought is what happens with current Pistons players Reggie Jackson, who wears #1, and Stanley Johnson, who wears #3? Do they have to quit wearing it before the game they “officially” retire it? Do they let them play with it for the rest of the season?
These questions will be answered in due time but congratulations Big Ben and Mr. Big Shot…you guys deserve it!
UPDATE:
The Pistons have formally announced the days they will retire these numbers.
The Pistons say they are retiring jerseys for former stars Ben Wallace (1/16 vs Warriors) and Chauncey Billups (2/10 vs Denver).
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 23, 2015
