Sports
Elden Campbell
1968–2025 · basketball forward and center
Veteran big man who turned down bigger offers to join the Pistons in 2003 and became a key defensive piece off the bench for Detroit's 2004 championship team.
- Born
Los Angeles, California- Died
Pompano Beach, Florida
aged 57- Birth name
- Elden Jerome Campbell
- Detroit years
- 2003–2005
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
After nine seasons as a mainstay of the Los Angeles Lakers, Campbell signed a two-year, 8.4-million-dollar deal with the Pistons in 2003, choosing Detroit over more lucrative offers because he wanted a real shot at a title. He spent most of his first Detroit season in a limited role, but his minutes doubled in the 2004 playoffs, and he played in every game of that year's NBA Finals as a physical, experienced defender assigned to slow down his former team's superstar center, Shaquille O'Neal. The Pistons upset the heavily favored Lakers to win the championship, giving Campbell the title he had chased for years. He stayed one more season, losing the 2005 Finals to San Antonio in seven games, before retiring in 2005.
Highlights
- Signed with the Pistons in 2003, turning down larger offers to chase a title
- Played every game of the 2004 NBA Finals as a defender against Shaquille O'Neal
- NBA champion with Detroit, 2004
- Reached the 2005 NBA Finals with the Pistons, lost in seven games
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 2003–2005
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Demolished · 1988–2020
The Pistons' arena during the 2004 championship run; demolished in 2020.