The team advanced to the playoffs, losing in a Western Division round-robin 4–0 to the Minneapolis Lakers and the Rochester Royals.
[4] Molinas was then suspended at the time of the All-Star game and was replaced by teammate Andy Phillip.
He later sued the NBA for $3 million, claiming the league's ban was an unreasonable restraint of trade.
[5] The Pistons had drafted future Hall of Famer George Yardley in 1950, but they didn't sign him until 1953.
Even then, it was a struggle, as Yardley reportedly hated training camp, rejected the initial Fort Wayne offer of $6,000, electing to playing beach volleyball in California.