NBA approves Pistons' relocation from Auburn Hills to downtown Detroit
Without a hint of malice, the Detroit Pistons are officially relocating. Fans need not worry, though; they're only moving about 30 miles from their former home.
The league announced Thursday the NBA board of governors unanimously approved the Pistons' move from The Palace of Auburn Hills to their new home, Little Caesars Arena.
The Pistons have called The Palace home since it opened its doors in 1988, winning titles in 1989, 1990, and 2004. As a result of the success of the Pistons and the WNBA's since-relocated Detroit Shock (1998-2009), the address for the building was officially changed to 6 Championship Way, denoting the number of titles collected by its two main tenants.
Perhaps more famous than any on-court achievement at The Palace was a dark event on Nov. 19, 2004.
Referred to as "The Malice in the Palace," the Pistons and visiting Indiana Pacers engaged in a massive brawl that poured into the stands, producing multiple assault charges and 146 games' worth of suspensions.
Pistons legend Ben Wallace received a five-game ban, while Chauncey Billups, Derrick Coleman, and Elden Campbell each received one-game suspensions.
Most notably, the Pacers' Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace), was suspended for the remaining 73 regular-season games and 13 playoff contests, making it the longest suspension doled out in NBA history.