Bobby McDermott: Two-time league MVP and star backcourt player. 1944-45 Season Team Photo. Coming off their NBL Championship the Zollner Pistons continued to be the best team in the league capturing the Eastern Division with an awesome record of 25-5. In the playoffs the Zollner Pistons reached the finals again by beating the Cleveland Allmen Transfers in 2 straight. Facing the Sheboygan Red Skins in the finals for the 3rd straight year the Pistons looked to be going down as they dropped the first 2 games. However, the Zollner Pistons would rally to win the next 3 games and capture their 2nd straight NBL Championship. Pistons - The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons are among the most iconic teams in the history of the NBA. The team, founded in 1941, had a unique nickname that has remained with them throughout their decades. But where did this unusual name come from? The answer lies with the team’s founder and owner, Fred Zollner. Born in Germany, he moved to America when he was just 16 years old. He eventually settled down near Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he started his own foundry business called “Zollner Corporation,” which specialized in producing pistons for automobile engines. It is believed that this is how they got their name as an homage to both Mr. Zollner himself and his company's products - hence why they were named after him rather than any other city or state-related names like many other sports teams during those times would have been given! This unique moniker has become synonymous with the franchise over its long history; it even survived through two relocation moves (from Fort Wayne to Detroit, then again back home). Today, fans still proudly wear jerseys. hey played their home games at North Side High School Gymnasium and won two NBL championships before joining the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1948. In 1949, they moved to Detroit and became the Detroit Pistons. In addition to being champions twice during its tenure with NBL, Fort Wayne Zollner pistons are credited for introducing several innovations which later became standard practice throughout the NBA today, including playing three full-court zones instead of the traditional man-to-man defense used back then. Also, every use of a “fast break” offense is still a popular strategy many modern-day teams employ nowadays. Last but not least, due to the popularity gained while playing Fort Wayne, Zollner Pistons became founding members of BAA (which later merged into the NBA ). featuring "Pistons" across their front - a testament to loyalty towards such an endearing part of American sports culture! Bobby McDermott was a tremendous scorer in the slower-paced basketball leagues of the 1930s and 1940s. He was famous for his deadly accurate two-handed set shot. Bobby also had the ability to slice to the hoop through the big men that dominated the basketball of that time. McDermott led three different basketball leagues in scoring over the course of his career. Playing alongside Hall of Famer Buddy Jeannette, McDermott led the Pistons to two straight NBL Championships. McDermott was voted the Greatest Player of All Time in 1946 by the National Basketball League players, coaches, and media members. Bobby was the Most Valuable Player of the National Basketball League for four consecutive years from 1943 through 1946. From 1942-1947, Bobby was selected to the All-NBL First Team six consecutive times. In 1948 he was on the All-NBL Second Team. In 1947 McDermott joined the Chicago American Gears and teamed with a new young player named George Mikan to win the NBL Championship. During an age when basketball was slower and more deliberate, Bobby became the first player in NBL history to average 20 points per game. He accomplished this remarkable feat during the 1944-45 season. McDermott played for eleven different teams during his pro basketball career. In addition to playing for the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, Bobby also played for the Original Celtics, the Brooklyn Visitations, and the Baltimore Clippers, to name a few. The NBL and BAA (Basketball Association of America) merged in 1949 to form the NBA. McDermott retired at that time without ever playing in the NBA. Very little is known about his post-basketball life. Bobby died in a tragic automobile accident in 1963, when he was 49 years old. Please ask specific questions on details, condition, and shipping prior to bidding, ALL ITEMS ARE SOLD AS IS, and the bidder will be responsible for payment. We box and ship what we can to keep costs low, and use USPS and UPS. Large items, extremely fragile, and high value items will be packed by UPS. Quotes available on request