2004 Detroit Pistons Championship Parade & Rally (Hart Plaza)

June 17, 2004 - Two days after earning their third NBA championship, the Detroit Pistons paraded through downtown Detroit, landing at Hart Plaza for a celebratory rally. Over 1 million fans lined the parade route, nearly leaving Rasheed Wallace speechless.

""I don't have the words for it," Wallace said. "I'm just feeling all good inside."

With Wallace's future in Detroit in doubt, the city was quick to show their support, vying for his return that summer. Ultimately, Rasheed caved, remaining in Detroit until 2009.

Guest speakers included: John Mason (Pistons P.A.), George Blaha (Pistons play-by-play), Jennifer Granholm (Michigan governor), Kwame Kilpatrick (Detroit mayor), Joe Dumars (Pistons president of basketball operations), William Davidson (Pistons owner), Larry Brown (Pistons head coach), and the five Pistons starters (Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace).

Later that evening, the team headed up to the Palace of Auburn Hills to host a second rally in front of a sellout crowd. Footage from that event can be seen here:    • 2004 Detroit Pistons Championship Ral...  

The Pistons returned to the NBA Finals in 2005 but fell to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.