From Pistons.com :

The Detroit Pistons’ All-Time Team will be honored in a special pregame ceremony on April 8 versus the New York Knicks, the team announced today. As part of the on-going 50 seasons in Detroit celebration, the organization will honor the all-time team beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tipoff for the Pistons vs. Knicks game at The Palace of Auburn Hills is set for 8:00 p.m. Hosted by play-by-play announcer George Blaha, the pregame ceremony will reflect on the careers of the greatest players, coaches and general managers in franchise history from 1957-58 through 2007-08. Members of the selected All-Time Team will be on-hand for the ceremony that will include highlight footage and memories of these special players and great teams. Honorees expected to be in attendance include Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Vinnie Johnson, former head coach Chuck Daly, the franchise leader in coaching victories, and former general manager Jack McCloskey.

A special one-hour tribute to the All-Time Team will aired on TV20 beginning at 7:00 p.m., with the live announcement of the team commencing at 7:30 p.m. The ceremony can also be heard on Sports Radio 1130 WDFN.

I’m a real sucker for stuff like this, I love when team’s pay homage to their past. One thing that really jumped out at me was that “The Worm” Dennis Rodman would be there. This is pretty big news for a Pistons’ geek like myself. To the best of my knowledge this is the first type of thing I could remember that he’s come back to be a part of. I don’t remember him being part of the festivities for the 10 year anniversary of the 1989 champs. Nor was he there for any of those Flash Back Fridays they did a few years back.

I think there’s been many of us who’ve wanted Dennis to come back and rejoin the family. He was a fan favorite and really epitomized what hustle and heart when he was here. I always thought he never got his due for his contributions and I think it has a lot to do with who he morphed into after leaving Detroit. Which was always odd to me because if Zeke could come back after his epic fall out with Mr. Davidson then you’d think Dennis’ transgressions would be overlooked to reunite him with the fans that cheered him on for 7 memorable seasons.

It’s wasn’t all that long ago when there were still many out there that thought Dennis’ #10 should being hanging alongside Isiah, Joe, Bill, and Vinnie. I know I had a hard time seeing Lindsey wearing the #10 when he came back because Chauncey had his #1 (because Chauncey’s #4, which is tattooed on his arm, of course hangs in the rafters for Joe) but I got over it. I guess the same way it’s not all that odd to see Rodney out there in the jersey number that Ben wore here while being the most instrumental piece in the franchises return to prominence.

I think it might be pretty emotional for Dennis when he gets that recognition form the crowd that’s so overdue. As crazy as he’s appeared to be over the years I still remember a very sensitive and impressionable young player when he was here, and that was part of the Worm’s charm that endeared him to the Detroit fans. I’m also very excited to see the other Pistons Greats interactions with Dennis. It should be pretty special.

Set those recorders Piston’s fans.