7 Basketball Players who Played for Hawks and Pistons
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Hawks and the Pistons.
Josh Smith
Josh Smith is most recognized for his stint with the Atlanta Hawks from 2004 to 2013. Known for his shot-blocking and dunking abilities, he averaged 15.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game during his time with the Hawks.
Smith even earned himself a place on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2010.
However, his subsequent career with the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Clippers, as well as the Sichuan Blue Whales in China, was marred by inconsistencies and shooting struggles.
*Smith was previously the most popular pick for this square (Grid 1 & 31)
Jerry Stackhouse
Over his 18-season NBA career, Jerry Stackhouse played for teams including the 76ers, Pistons, and Mavericks. At the University of North Carolina, Stackhouse earned All-American honors and entered the 1995 NBA Draft, where he was selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers.
Stackhouse’s best years came with the Detroit Pistons, where he was twice named an NBA All-Star and led the league in total points in the 2000-01 season. His scoring prowess and competitiveness were hallmarks of his playing career.
After retiring from playing, Stackhouse transitioned into coaching. He served as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors and was the head coach of the Raptors’ G-League team, Raptors 905, leading them to a championship in 2017.
Stackhouse Key Stats
- All-Star (Pistons)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (76ers, Pistons, Wizards)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Pistons)
Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace had a very successful career in the NBA from 1995 to 2013. Wallace, a versatile power forward known for his strong defense and three-point shooting, was picked fourth overall by the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) in the 1995 NBA Draft.
He played a single season with the Bullets before being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers, where he spent the bulk of his early career. In Portland, Wallace established himself as an All-Star, but his time there was also marked by technical fouls and controversies.
In 2004, Wallace was traded to the Detroit Pistons, where he played a key role in winning that year’s NBA Championship. Wallace later had stints with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. He was a four-time All-Star and also received recognition for his defensive skills throughout his career.
Wallace Key Stats
- All-Star (Trail Blazers, Pistons)
- NBA Championship (Pistons)
Christian Laettner
Christian Laettner led the Blue Devils to two NCAA Championships in 1991 and 1992, and he is still widely remembered for “The Shot”, his game-winning turnaround jumper in the 1992 East Regional final against Kentucky. This moment is one of the most iconic in college basketball history.
Laettner was also the only college player selected for the original “Dream Team” at the 1992 Summer Olympics, which won the gold medal.
In the NBA, Laettner played 13 seasons in the league with several teams, including the Timberwolves, Hawks, Pistons, Mavericks, and Wizards. His most successful NBA season came in 1996-1997 with the Hawks when he averaged 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, earning him his sole NBA All-Star selection.
Tracy McGrady
Tracy McGrady, often known by his initials T-Mac, was a 7-time All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion (2003 and 2004). He was selected as the 9th pick in the first round of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors.
He played for the Raptors until 2000 before being traded to the Orlando Magic, where his career took off. From 2000 to 2004, McGrady was one of the most exciting players in the NBA, with a peak scoring average of 32.1 points per game in the 2002-2003 season.
In 2017, McGrady was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the best scorers and most talented players of his generation.
McGrady Key Stats
- Hall of Fame (Rockets, Magic, Raptors, Pistons, Hawks, Knicks)
- All-NBA (Magic, Rockets)
- All-Star (Magic, Rockets)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Magic, Rockets)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Magic, Rockets)
Ersan Ilyasova
Ersan İlyasova is a professional basketball player who has played in various leagues around the world, including the NBA and EuroLeague. Born in Turkey, Ilyasova’s professional career started in 2004 with Yeşilyurt in the Turkish Basketball League.
He was later drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft. Known for his scoring ability and rebounding, Ilyasova played multiple stints with the Bucks and also spent time with several other NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
For his career, Ilyasova averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in the NBA.
Bob Sura
Bob Sura’s basketball journey began at Florida State, where he had a successful college career and became one of the standout players for the Seminoles. Recognizing his talent and potential, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him 17th overall in the 1995 NBA Draft.
During his NBA tenure, Sura played for several teams, including the Cavaliers, Warriors, Pistons, Hawks, and Rockets. Throughout his career, Sura was known for his competitive spirit and ability to impact the game in various ways, from scoring bursts to crucial defensive plays.
During his time with the Atlanta Hawks, he nearly achieved three consecutive triple-doubles, a rare feat in the NBA. The third game, however, stirred controversy as Sura intentionally missed a shot to grab his tenth rebound, which led the NBA to disallow the triple-double.
Sura Key Stats
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Hawks, Rockets)
