Detroit was rewarded Thursday night for one of the best starts in NBA history when four Pistons made the All-Star team as reserves.
Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace all were picked for the Eastern Conference team that will be led by Detroit coach Flip Saunders. Tayshaun Prince was the lone Pistons starter not chosen in voting by East head coaches.
“I would just like to thank the coaches in the league for recognizing our players,” Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars told The Associated Press on Thursday night. “What the coaches are saying by voting our guys on is that they appreciate unselfishness, great attitudes and team basketball.”
The Pistons (40-8) became the first team with four players in an All-Star game since the Los Angeles Lakers sent Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Eddie Jones and Nick Van Exel to the 1998 game in New York.