Pistons 1976 Leaders Steals
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April 30, 1976 - After sneaking into the postseason with a 36-46 record, the Detroit...
Pistons' John Mengelt Hits the Deck, Young Mike Abdenour Arrives on the Scene (1976) / April 30, 1976 - After sneaking into the postseason with a 36-46 record, the Detroit Pistons took down the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and nearly pushed the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors to the brink in the Western Conference Semi-Finals. Late in Game 6, with their season on the line, Pistons guard John "Crash" Mengelt canned a jumper then drew a foul in the paint on back-to-back plays.
Mengelt's visible pain following his tumble sprung young Pistons trainer Mike Abdenour into action (red pants, blue shirt, sideburn, mustache, glasses). Abdenour went on to spend 35 years as the team's trainer, with a three-year stay in Philadelphia (1992-1995) wedged in-between. As of 2018, Abdenour remains on staff in Detroit, serving as Director of Team Operations, now in his 42nd year in the NBA.
Back to Game 6, two clutch blocks from Bob Lanier helped forced overtime before the Warriors ultimately brought the Pistons' season to an unceremonious close. Lanier's game-saving blocks can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMNhPxxQito
Three additional notes:
-The man in the tan jacket bending over next to Abdenour is Pistons head coach Herb Brown, brother of future Pistons head coach Larry Brown.
-Jerry West was working color commentary for Game 6.
-The Detroit Pistons played in the Western Conference until 1979-80, hence the matchup with the Warriors.
Box Score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197604300DET.html