Forgetting the forgettable year that Montrose stood in the lane and watched the paint dry does anyone remember who the last Piston's center was before Big Ben? This guy could actually score.

I must admit I had to look it up.

Was it Bison Dele?

Mikki Moore? Christian Laettner?

He said the guy could score.

In 1999-BB (Before Ben), It was either Laettner or Terry Mills doing the tip offs. I would say that probably Mills was the center since Laettner, the whiteman couldn't jump..

Laetner never played center. Mills was the starting center in the year before Ben.

Then we went with the front court of Ben and Joe Smith.

He was the best thing going until he got his revelation. Soon after that, he came up missing with his brother using his identity.

He put up nice numbers for half a year, but holyhandgrenadeofantioch did he ever get abused in the playoffs on defense. I forget who did the schooling, but it was embarrasing how bad Dele got beat. Mighta been Deke.

That was Dikembo in the playoffs. It was best of 5 back then and a strike shortened season. Hawks had homecourt. Hawks won the 1st 2 in blowouts, Pistons won the next 2 in blowouts and game 5 was close in ATL. It was an interesting series and a good candidate for a 7-gamer if they had them back then in the 1st round.

The Pistons did not make the playoffs in the prior season with Dele.

96/97, I think? 4 and 5 seeds, right? I remember thinking that win or lose, that elimination game was the first truly big game we'd played since the Bulls slayed the Bad Boys.