Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Joe Dumars

How Joe Dumars built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Joe Dumars III is a former American professional basketball player and current NBA executive. Known for his defensive prowess and offensive versatility as a shooting guard or point guard, he spent his entire 14-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons. Dumars formed a legendary backcourt partnership with Isiah Thomas, leading the Pistons to two NBA championships in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1985: Drafted by Detroit Pistons

In 1985, Joe Dumars was drafted 18th overall in the first round of the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons and started as the team's shooting guard.

1988: Regular Season Performance

During the 1988-89 regular season, Joe Dumars averaged over 17 points per game with a 50.5% field goal percentage and a career-high 5.7 assists per game as the Pistons posted a then-team record of 63 wins.

1989: NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 1989, Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons won the NBA Championship, and Dumars was voted the Finals MVP after averaging 27.3 points per game in a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers.

1990: Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals

During the 1990 postseason, Joe Dumars played a key defensive role, especially during the Eastern Conference Finals with the "Jordan Rules." In the NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers, Dumars averaged 20.6 points, with 33 points in Game 3, played the same day his father passed away.

1990: Second NBA Championship

In 1990, Joe Dumars won his second NBA championship as a player with the Detroit Pistons.

1994: Moved to Point Guard

In 1994, following Isiah Thomas’ retirement, Joe Dumars transitioned from shooting guard to point guard, sharing ball-handling responsibilities with Grant Hill.

1996: Founded Detroit Technologies

In 1996, Joe Dumars founded Detroit Technologies, an automotive supply company, where he served as majority owner, CEO, and President.

1999: End of Playing Career

Joe Dumars played with the Detroit Pistons until 1999, marking the end of his playing career.

2000: President of Basketball Operations for the Pistons

In 2000, Joe Dumars became the president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons.

2000: President of Basketball Operations

Prior to the start of the 2000-01 season, Joe Dumars became the president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons.

2002: Executive of the Year

In 2002-03, Joe Dumars was voted the league's Executive of the Year.

2003: Eastern Conference Finals Appearance

In 2003, Joe Dumars guided the Detroit Pistons to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.

2004: NBA Championship as Executive

In 2004, Joe Dumars built the team that won the NBA championship, making him the first African-American executive to lead a team to an NBA championship.

2004: NBA Championship

In 2004, under Joe Dumars' leadership, the Detroit Pistons won the NBA championship.

2005: Best Regular Season Record

During the 2005-06 season, under Joe Dumars' leadership, the Detroit Pistons achieved their best regular-season record in franchise history at 64-18.

2005: Eastern Conference Championship

In 2005, Joe Dumars led the Detroit Pistons to an Eastern Conference Championship.

2006: Sold Interest in Detroit Technologies

In 2006, Joe Dumars sold off his interest in Detroit Technologies to pursue other business interests and focus on his role as the Pistons' president of basketball operations.

2008: End of Eastern Conference Finals Streak

In 2008, the Detroit Pistons' streak of six straight years in the Eastern Conference Finals came to an end with a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

February 9, 2014: Fired Maurice Cheeks

On February 9, 2014, Joe Dumars fired Maurice Cheeks as head coach and appointed John Loyer as interim head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

April 14, 2014: Stepped Down as President

On April 14, 2014, Joe Dumars stepped down as president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons, remaining as an advisor to the organization.