1994–95 Detroit Pistons season

The 1994–95 NBA season was the Pistons' 47th season in the National Basketball Association, and 38th season in the city of Detroit.[1] After losing 62 games in 1993 along with the retirements of Bill Laimbeer and Isiah Thomas, the Pistons started a new era by drafting Grant Hill out of Duke University with the third overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft.[2][3][4][5][6][7] The team also signed free agents Oliver Miller,[8][9] Johnny Dawkins,[10] and Rafael Addison,[11] and acquired Mark West from the Phoenix Suns during the off-season.[9][12] However, after a respectable 8–7 start to the season, the Pistons lost 13 of their next 14 games, which included an 8-game losing streak, as second-year guard Lindsey Hunter only played just 42 games due to foot and ankle injuries,[13][14] and Dawkins was released to free agency after 50 games.[15] After holding a 17–29 record at the All-Star break,[16] the Pistons continued to struggle losing eight of their final nine games, finishing last place in the Central Division with a 28–54 record.[17]

1994–95 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachDon Chaney
General managerBilly McKinney
OwnersWilliam Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record28–54 (.341)
PlaceDivision: 7th (Central)
Conference: 12th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
PASS Sports
RadioWJR
< 1993–94 1995–96 >

Hill became an immediate fan favorite averaging 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game, was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, and went on to share the Rookie of the Year honors with Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks,[18][19][20][21] while Joe Dumars, the last of the original players from the Bad Boys era, averaged 18.1 points and 5.5 assists per game. Hill and Dumars were both selected for the 1995 NBA All-Star Game, which was Hill's first ever All-Star appearance,[22][23][24][25][26] as he also became the first rookie ever to lead in All-Star voting.[27][28][29]

In addition, Terry Mills provided the team with 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while second-year guard Allan Houston showed improvement averaging 14.5 points per game, and Miller averaged 8.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Addison contributed 8.3 points per game off the bench, but was released by the team to free agency shortly before the season had ended,[30] while Hunter contributed 7.5 points and 1.2 steals per game, and West provided with 7.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.[31]

Following the season, Miller was left unprotected in the 1995 NBA Expansion Draft, where he was selected by the newly expansion Toronto Raptors,[32][33][34][35][36] and head coach Don Chaney was fired.[37][38] For the season, the Pistons added new red alternate road uniforms with blue side panels, which remained in use until the franchise's 1996 teal-colored rebrand.[39]

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 3 Grant Hill SF   United States Duke
2 48 Jevon Crudup PF   United States Missouri

Roster

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1994–95 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F 17 Curley, Bill 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1972–05–29 Boston College
G 12 Dawkins, Johnny 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1963–09–28 Duke
G 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
F 33 Hill, Grant 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1972–10–05 Duke
G 20 Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1971–04–20 Tennessee
G 1 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1970–12–03 Jackson State
G 32 Knight, Negele 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1967–03–06 Dayton
C 45 Leckner, Eric 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1966–05–27 Wyoming
G 2 Macon, Mark 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–04–14 Temple
F 25 Miller, Oliver 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 280 lb (127 kg) 1970–04–06 Arkansas
F 6 Mills, Terry 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–12–21 Michigan
C 41 West, Mark 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1960–11–05 Old Dominion
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 19, 1995

Roster Notes

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Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Indiana Pacers 52 30 .634 33–8 19–22 18–10
x-Charlotte Hornets 50 32 .610 2 29–12 21–20 17–11
x-Chicago Bulls 47 35 .573 5 28–13 19–22 16–12
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 43 39 .524 9 26–15 17–24 17–11
x-Atlanta Hawks 42 40 .512 10 24–17 18–23 9–19
Milwaukee Bucks 34 48 .415 18 22–19 12–29 13–15
Detroit Pistons 28 54 .341 24 22–19 6–35 8–20
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Orlando Magic 57 25 .695
2 y-Indiana Pacers 52 30 .634 5
3 x-New York Knicks 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Charlotte Hornets 50 32 .610 7
5 x-Chicago Bulls 47 35 .573 10
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 43 39 .524 14
7 x-Atlanta Hawks 42 40 .512 15
8 x-Boston Celtics 35 47 .427 22
9 Milwaukee Bucks 34 48 .415 23
10 Miami Heat 32 50 .390 25
11 New Jersey Nets 30 52 .366 27
12 Detroit Pistons 28 54 .341 29
13 Philadelphia 76ers 24 58 .293 33
14 Washington Bullets 21 61 .256 36
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1994-95 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta 3–1 2–2 1–4 1–4 2–0 2–0 3–2 2–0 0–2 1–4 2–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 2–0 4–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0
Boston 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 4–1 1–3 2–0 2–3 0–5 2–3 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1
Charlotte 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–2 0–2 1–1 5–0 2–0 0–2 1–4 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–3 3–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–1
Chicago 4–1 4–0 2–2 2–3 1–1 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–4 2–0 2–2 3–1 1–3 4–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–2
Cleveland 4–1 2–2 2–3 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 4–0 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 3–1
Dallas 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 3–1 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 0–2 1–1 4–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–4 3–1 2–2 2–3 0–4 2–4 1–1
Denver 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–3 1–4 1–1 4–0 2–2 2–0 2–0 6–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–4 2–0
Detroit 2–3 1–3 0–5 0–5 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–3 1–1 2–2 1–3 1–3 4–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 3–1 1–1 0–4 0–2 3–2 3–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–5 1–3 1–4 2–2 2–0
Houston 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 3–1 0–4 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–5 0–4 2–3 2–0
Indiana 4–1 2–2 4–1 2–2 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 3–1
L.A. Clippers 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 2–3 1–3 0–2 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–5 1–4 0–4 0–5 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–3 4–0 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 2–3 3–2 1–3 4–1 2–2 2–0
Miami 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–3 3–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–1
Milwaukee 3–1 3–1 1–4 4–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 2–0 1–1 2–3 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 2–2 2–2 0–4 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–1
Minnesota 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–6 1–1 3–1 2–3 0–2 3–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–4 1–1
New Jersey 0–4 3–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 3–1 2–2 1–1 1–4 2–2 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–3
New York 2–2 5–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 2–2 2–0 4–1 2–3 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0
Orlando 3–1 3–2 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–2 3–2 4–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–2
Philadelphia 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 4–1 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–4 1–4 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–2
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–3 1–3 1–1 4–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 5–0 4–1 2–2 4–1 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–3 2–0 4–1 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–5 3–2 1–3 2–3 1–3 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 1–1 5–0 1–3 0–2 4–1 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 2–3 0–4 3–2 0–4 1–1
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 3–1 5–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 5–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 2–2 3–2 2–0
Seattle 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 4–0 1–1 5–0 1–4 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–4 3–2 2–3 2–2 1–3 2–0
Utah 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 4–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 3–1 4–0 2–3 3–1 2–0
Washington 0–4 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–3 2–0 0–2 1–4 1–3 1–1 3–2 0–4 2–3 2–3 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2

Game log

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Regular season

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1994–95 game log
Total: 28–54 (Home: 22–19; Road: 6–35)
November: 7–6 (home: 5–2; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
December: 2–11 (home: 1–5; road: 1–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
January: 5–9 (home: 4–4; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
35 January 20, 1995
8:00 p.m. EST
Houston L 96–106 Mills (33) Mills (9) Dumars (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454
11–24
February: 6–8 (home: 6–1; road: 0–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
All-Star Break
52 February 23, 1995
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Houston L 99–110 Dumars (28) Miller (10) Dumars (8) The Summit
16,611
19–33
March: 5–11 (home: 3–5; road: 2–6)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
April: 3–9 (home: 3–2; road: 0–7)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1994–95 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

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Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Grant Hill 70 69 38.3 .477 .148 .732 6.4 5.0 1.8 0.9 19.9
Joe Dumars 67 67 38.0 .430 .305 .805 2.4 5.5 1.1 0.1 18.1
Terry Mills 72 69 34.9 .447 .382 .799 7.8 2.2 0.9 0.5 15.5
Allan Houston 76 39 26.3 .463 .424 .860 2.2 2.2 0.8 0.2 14.5
Oliver Miller 64 22 24.3 .555 .231 .629 7.4 1.5 0.9 1.8 8.5
Rafael Addison 79 16 22.5 .476 .289 .747 3.1 1.4 0.7 0.3 8.3
Mark West 67 58 23.0 .556 .478 6.1 0.3 0.4 1.5 7.5
Lindsey Hunter 42 26 22.5 .374 .333 .727 1.8 3.8 1.2 0.2 7.5
Johnny Dawkins 50 9 23.4 .463 .342 .909 2.3 4.1 1.0 0.0 6.5
Mark Macon 55 6 13.1 .381 .323 .794 1.4 1.1 1.2 0.0 5.0
Negele Knight 44 17 15.1 .392 .393 .667 1.3 2.6 0.5 0.1 4.1
Eric Leckner 57 11 10.9 .527 .000 .708 3.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 3.9
Bill Curley 53 1 11.2 .433 .750 2.3 0.5 0.4 0.4 2.7
Walter Bond 5 0 10.2 .250 .250 .750 1.0 1.4 0.2 0.0 2.0
Mike Peplowski 6 0 3.5 1.000 .500 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.0 1.8
Ivano Newbill 34 0 9.7 .356 .364 2.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 1.2

Player Statistics Citation:[31]

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1994-95 Detroit Pistons
  2. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 30, 1994). "BASKETBALL; The Bucks Go with Robinson as No. 1 Pick". The New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Denlinger, Ken (June 30, 1994). "Robinson Goes with the Bucks". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  4. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 30, 1994). "NBA DRAFT: Blockbuster Trade That Wasn't Overshadows Player Selections". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 30, 1994). "NBA DRAFT: Lakers Recall the Past: Pro Basketball: Temple Guard Jones Reminiscent of Former Great Michael Cooper". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Wise, Mike (October 16, 1994). "BASKETBALL; Hill Dribbling Through a Forest of Expectations". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "1994 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Miller Joins Pistons". The New York Times. September 8, 1994. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Oliver Miller Signs Piston Offer". Chicago Tribune. September 8, 1994. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; A Bigger, Richer Kemp Gets Ready to Attack the Boards". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 11, 1994. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Pistons Give Hill a $45 Million Contract". The New York Times. September 30, 1994. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  12. ^ "Eastern Conference". The Washington Post. November 4, 1994. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  13. ^ "Bullets' MacLean Out Longer After Fight". Tampa Bay Times. January 4, 1995. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  14. ^ "Pistons Activate West". United Press International. January 20, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "NBA ROUNDUP: Smits Helps Pacers End Spurs' Streak, 117-100". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 8, 1995. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  16. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "1994–95 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  18. ^ "Mavericks' Kidd, Pistons' Hill Share NBA Rookie-of-Year Award". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 18, 1995. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  19. ^ "1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Celtics Drop Ford as Coach". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 18, 1995. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  20. ^ "Kidd, Hill Compare Rookie Awards". Chicago Tribune. May 18, 1995. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  21. ^ "NBA & ABA Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  22. ^ Landman, Brian (February 11, 1995). "Will Shaq's Return Bring Double Trouble?". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Cotton, Anthony (February 12, 1995). "New-Age NBA Reaches for the Stars". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  24. ^ Araton, Harvey (February 13, 1995). "Sports of the Times; Role Models Abound as Well as Rebound". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  25. ^ "1995 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  26. ^ "1995 NBA All-Star Game: West 139, East 112". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  27. ^ "Hill 1st Rookie to Lead All-Star Voting". United Press International. January 26, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Hill Is Top Vote-Getter". The New York Times. January 27, 1995. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  29. ^ "NBA All-Stars Topped by Rookie Hill". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 27, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. April 20, 1995. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  31. ^ a b "1994–95 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  32. ^ Wise, Mike (June 25, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Anthony Is No. 2 of the Secaucus 27". The New York Times. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  33. ^ Heisler, Mark (June 25, 1995). "Armstrong Becomes Top Expansion Pick: NBA: Raptors Take Guard from Bulls. Massenburg Also Headed to Toronto, While Lakers Lose Harvey to Vancouver". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  34. ^ Smith, Sam (June 25, 1995). "Toronto Picks Armstrong; May Not Trade Him". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  35. ^ "NBA Expansion Draft -- Point Guards Are Top Priority for Young Raptors, Grizzlies". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. June 25, 1995. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  36. ^ "1995 NBA Expansion Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  37. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Pistons to Fire Chaney & Co., Report Says". The New York Times. April 11, 1995. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  38. ^ "Pistons to Fire Chaney, Likely Hire Collins: Pro basketball: Dismissals of Coach and Key Executive Expected a Day Later Than Planned". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 26, 1995. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  39. ^ "Detroit Pistons Uniform". Chris Creamer's Sports Logos Page - SportsLogos.Net. Retrieved July 8, 2021.

See also

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