Earl Cureton through the years

Boston Celtics' Larry Bird, left moves by Detroit Pistons' Earl Cureton during 2nd period NBA Playoff Action at the Boston Garden, Sunday afternoon, April 28, 1985 in Boston. Cureton is wearing a mask to protect his nose. The Celtics defeated Detroit 133-99.

Utah Jazz guard John Stockton, center, gets a pass off as Houston Rockets Earl Cureton, left, and Sam Cassell double team him during the second half of their NBA Western Conference Finals game on Tuesday, May 31, 1994, in Houston. The Rockets beat the Jazz 94-83 to win the Western Conference Championship and advance to the NBA Finals.

Mayor Mike Duggan climbs up on a folding chair to get in the picture with former Pistons Willie Norwood, Earl Cureton and Rick Mahorn.

Former Pistons players Earl Cureton, left, Dave Bing, center, and James 'Buddha' Edwards, far right, before the ceremony.

Former Pistons players Earl Cureton (left) and Rick Mahorn chat before the ceremonial groundbreaking.

Former Detroit Pistons great Earl Cureton holds the torch during the torch ceremony.

Detroit Mercy basketball legend Earl “The Twirl” Cureton saw his No. 24 retired at Calihan Hall on Thursday night.

Former Detroit Pistons Earl Cureton speaks with 25 ninth-graders from Cody High School.

Former Detroit Pistons Earl Cureton speaks with 25 ninth-graders from Cody High School.

Former Detroit Piston center Earl Cureton says learning through sporting events like the Grand Prix can help kids apply the lessons to real-world jobs.

Piston employee volunteer Cedric Colbert and 12-year NBA veteran Earl Cureton load bicycles into the back of a car at a drive-through toy pickup in Eastern Market.

Former Detroit Mercy and Detroit Pistons player Earl Cureton greets Mercy's senior guard Josh McFolley on the court.

Former Piston Earl Cureton, right, delivers a bicycle to Dominque Broadnax as she makes her way through a drive-through toy pickup in Eastern Market in Detroit.

Earl "The Twirl" Cureton goes for the block, but Kyle Germany, 14, pushes him away and lays up for two points during a clinic after the unveiling the new basketball court.

Pistons legend and community ambassador Earl Cureton, right, shares a laugh with Cheri Lynch, center, and her husband, Angelo Lynch, left, both of Detroit, as they shop for Christmas presents.

From left, 1969 Detroit Pistons draft pick Willie Norwood, two-time NBA Champion Earl "The Twirl" Cureton and original Pistons Bad Boy, NBA Champion Rick Mahorn, talk with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan before a press conference at Littlefield Park Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, to unveil the first of 60 renovated basketball courts in 50 city parks sponsored by the Pistons.

From left, Detroit City Council member Roy McCalister Jr., NBA champion Rick Mahorn, Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem and two-time NBA champion Earl Cureton cut the ribbon on the latest refurbished basketball court, one of 17 courts refurbished by the Detroit Pistons throughout Detroit.

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Director of the Pediatric residency program at Hurley Children’s Hospital in Flint, receives a game jersey from Earl Cureton, the Detroit Pistons community ambassador and legend, during the first quarter.

Detroit police Chief James Craig and Detroit Pistons Community Ambassador Earl Cureton bump elbows after the press conference announcing the establishment of the Office of Internal and External Relations, an office that strengthens the relationship between police and the public at a press conference at the 8th Precinct in Detroit, Michigan on October 21, 2020.

Olympic Gold medalist and Flint native Claressa Shields is honored by the Pistons in the second quarter. Earl Cureton is to the right.

The judges panel, including Detroit Piston alumni Earl Cureton, left, taste the dishes.

Detroit Pistons community ambassador Earl Cureton presents a Piston jersey to Grand Prix driver Josef Newgarden before Thursday night's game at The Palace.