Fansided

Top 50 sports franchises in the world

By Brad Weiss

NEW YORK - APRIL 14: A logo honoring the New York Yankees 27 World Series titles is seen on the dugout during their game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 14, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 14: A logo honoring the New York Yankees 27 World Series titles is seen on the dugout during their game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 14, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 50
Next
AUBURN HILLS, MI – APRIL 10: Former Detroit Pistons Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman pose with the NBA trophies during a halftime ceremony at the final NBA game at the Palace of Auburn Hills between the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards on April 10, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI – APRIL 10: Former Detroit Pistons Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman pose with the NBA trophies during a halftime ceremony at the final NBA game at the Palace of Auburn Hills between the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards on April 10, 2017 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
41

Detroit Pistons

, NBA

Back in 1941, a basketball team named the Fort Wayne (IN) Zollner Pistons was formed by Fred Zollner. That team played in the NBL, and it was their owner, who actually thought up the merger between the NBL and BAA to form the NBA. Since the merger, the now-Detroit Pistons have been a flagship organization in the NBA, producing some of the best talent the league has ever seen.

The Pistons moved to the City of Detroit in 1957, and have been there for the last 60 years. During that time, the franchise has won three NBA titles, and were the dominant team in the East until a certain No. 23 started winning playoff games for the Chicago Bulls. They tacked on another title in 2004, but this franchise will forever be known by the unit that ran the court from 1980-94.

That group was called the Bad Boys, and they did not care who you were, they were going to knock you on your butt. Bill Laimbeer, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and head coach Chuck Daly were as tough as they come, and they caused more than a few fights during their time together. Dennis Rodman also burst onto the scene with the Pistons, and would wind up becoming one of the more colorful players to ever play in the NBA.

During the 2000s, the Pistons went to six straight Eastern Conference Finals, only winning that one ring in 2004. Still, this is a very proud franchise, and although they have been struggling lately, you have to believe that they will eventually turn things around. The people of the city of Detroit deserve that.

Home/MLB