'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Detroit Pistons, 1948
The Pistons were established in 1941 by Fred Zollner, as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons and played in the NBL. In 1948, they became the Fort Wayne Pistons and joined the BAA and a year later, joined the NBA as part of the merger. The Fort Wayne version had some success and even made back-to-back Finals appearances in 55 and 56, but lost on both occasions. A year later, Zollner moved the team to Detroit, believing Fort Wayne to be too small to support an NBA team.
The team underwhelmed in Detroit to start off. From 1957-1984, they managed to get out of the 1st round just thrice. Ownership changed hands during this time, with Bill Davidson purchasing the team in 1974. The Pistons finally returned to relevance in 1985 and were a legitimate contender soon. They made 3 Finals appearances in a row from 1988-90 and won back-to-back titles in 89 and 90. They sunk back into mediocrity soon, however, but the team's fortunes changed in the new millennium. Detroit reached 6 consecutive Conference Finals from 2002-08 and twice made it to the NBA Finals in 04 & 05, winning their 3rd title in 2004 over the Los Angeles Lakers.
That incredible run has been followed by disappointments galore. The team has never gotten out of the 1st round since and are mired in mediocrity even now, despite the new ownership of Tom Gores.
