1976–77 Detroit Pistons season

The Pistons added Marvin Barnes in the 1976 ABA Dispersal Draft, and Detroit finished with a 44–38 (.537) record, 2nd place in the Midwest Division.

"[3] John Papanek of Sports Illustrated (SI) would state, "if the Pistons were a TV mini-series, they would make Roots seem like Ding Dong School."

But in terms of him trying to be part of the team that wins a championship ... man..."[3][4] Lanier and Barnes each suffered a broken hand late in the season.

[5][6] Coach Brown had also elected to start Eric Money over mercurial starter Kevin Porter down the stretch and into the post-season, and the Pistons fell to Golden State 2–1, despite winning the opening game of the series 95–90 in Oakland.

[8] The game was marred by a 3rd quarter fight with Charles Dudley of Golden State tangling with Eric Money of the Pistons.