AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Jack McCloskey, General Manager for the Detroit Pistons from 1979 to 1992 and architect of the Bad Boys’ two NBA Championship teams, passed away this afternoon in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 91. The Detroit Pistons organization sends its thoughts and prayers to Jack’s wife, Leslie, and the entire McCloskey family.
McCloskey, nicknamed “Trader Jack” for his many astute trades during his tenure as the clubs’ GM, assembled the Pistons’ teams which brought two NBA Championships to Detroit in 1989 and 1990. His teams made nine straight playoff appearances (1984-92), five straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, three NBA Finals appearances and those two championships.