1990–91 Detroit Pistons season

The 1990–91 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 43rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 34th season in the city of Detroit.[1] The Pistons entered the season as both the three-time defending Eastern Conference Champions the two-time defending NBA Champions and looked to win a third consecutive title. The team posted a nine-game winning streak in November as they finished the first month of the season with a 13–2 record.[2] However, they would lose six of their next seven games in early December, but held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break.[3] Midway through the season, the Pistons won eleven consecutive games, finishing second in the Central Division with a 50–32 record, eleven games behind the Chicago Bulls.[4]

1990–91 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachChuck Daly
General managerJack McCloskey
OwnersWilliam Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record50–32 (.610)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finishEastern Conference finals
(lost to Bulls 0–4)
Local media
TelevisionWKBD
PASS Sports
RadioWWJ

Joe Dumars led the team in scoring with 20.4 points, and averaged 5.5 assists per game, and last year's Finals MVP Isiah Thomas averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, but only played just 48 games this season due to a wrist injury.[5][6][7] Sixth man Mark Aguirre provided the team with 14.2 points per game off the bench, while Dennis Rodman averaged 8.2 points, and led the team with 12.5 rebounds per game, and was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.[8][9][10] In addition, James Edwards contributed 13.6 points per game, while Vinnie Johnson provided with 11.7 points per game, Bill Laimbeer averaged 11.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, and John Salley led the team with 1.5 blocks per game off the bench.[11] Thomas and Dumars were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, but Thomas did not play due to injury.[12][13] Dumars was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Rodman was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.

Entering the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons lost Game 1 at home, 103–98 to the 6th-seeded Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference First Round,[14][15] but managed to win the series 3–2.[16][17][18][19] In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, they trailed 2–1 to Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics,[20][21] but managed to win the series 4–2.[22][23][24][25] This put the Pistons in their fifth consecutive Eastern Conference finals, where they would be swept by the Bulls and be denied a fourth consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals.[26][27][28][29] The Bulls would reach the NBA Finals for the first time, and defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, winning their first ever championship.[30][31][32][33][34]

Toward the end of the loss to the Bulls in Game 4, which occurred on the Pistons' home floor at The Palace of Auburn Hills, most of the Pistons' players walked off the court toward the locker room without congratulating their opponents or shaking hands.[35][36] It was seen as a sign of disrespect by the outgoing champions, and was concocted by Thomas and Bill Laimbeer in response to comments made by Michael Jordan about the Pistons' physical playing style being bad for basketball, and that he felt the league would be happy to see the Pistons lose.[37]

Following the season, Edwards was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers,[38][39] and Johnson signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs.[40]

Draft picks
Main article: 1990 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 26 Lance Blanks PG/SG  United States Texas

Roster
1990–91 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G/F 23 Aguirre, Mark 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1959–12–10 DePaul
C 00 Bedford, William 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–14 Memphis
G 32 Blanks, Lance 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–09–09 Texas
G 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
C 53 Edwards, James 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
F 35 Hastings, Scott 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1960–06–03 Arkansas
G 12 Henderson, Gerald 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1956–01–16 VCU
G 15 Johnson, Vinnie 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1956–09–01 Baylor
F/C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–05–19 Notre Dame
F 10 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
C 30 Rollins, Tree 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1955–06–16 Clemson
F/C 22 Salley, John 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–16 Georgia Tech
G 11 Thomas, Isiah 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–04–30 Indiana
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular season

Season standings
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Chicago Bulls6121.744—35–626–1525–5
x-Detroit Pistons5032.6101132–918–2319-11
x-Milwaukee Bucks4834.5851333–815–2616–14
x-Atlanta Hawks4339.5241829–1214–2711–19
x-Indiana Pacers4141.5002029-1212–2915-15
Cleveland Cavaliers3349.4022823–1810–3111-19
Charlotte Hornets2656.3173517–249–328–22
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls6121.744–
2 y-Boston Celtics5626.6835
3 x-Detroit Pistons5032.61011
4 x-Milwaukee Bucks4834.58513
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers4438.53717
6 x-Atlanta Hawks4339.52418
7 x-Indiana Pacers4141.50020
8 x-New York Knicks3943.47622
9 Cleveland Cavaliers3349.40228
10 Orlando Magic3151.37832
11 Washington Bullets3052.36631
12 New Jersey Nets2656.31735
13 Charlotte Hornets2656.31735
14 Miami Heat2458.29337
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents
1990-91 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MIA MIL MIN NJN NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA UTA WAS
Atlanta —3–11–41–43–22–01–10–51–11–14–12–01–14–02–31–13–13–11–10–40–21–12–02–01–11–12–2
Boston 1–3—3–12–23–12–02–02–21–12–02–22–01–14–12–22–04–15–01–12–31–11–12–01–12–01–15–1
Charlotte 4–11–3—0–51–41–10–21–41–10–20–51–10–22–22–31–12–20–42–02–20–20–22–01–10–20–22–2
Chicago 4–12–25–0—5–02–02–03–21–10–24–12–01–14–04–12–03–14–02–01–31–10–22–00–22–02–03–1
Cleveland 2–31–34–10–5—2–01–12–30–20–21–41–11–13–12–31–12–23–12–02–20–20–21–10–21–10–21–3
Dallas 0–20–21–10–20–2—3–10–22–21–32–01–32–20–21–11–42–02–01–41–10–41–32–21–42–20–52–0
Denver 1–10–22–00–21–11–3—0–21–30–50–20–40–40–21–13–21–11–12–30–20–40–43–11–40–41–31–1
Detroit 5–02–24–12–33–22–02–0—1–12–03–22–00–23–12–32–03–11–32–02–20–21–12–00–21–10–23–1
Golden State 1–11–11–11–12–02–23–11–1—2–21–13–22–32–01–13–11–12–02–22–01–32–32–32–23–11–30–2
Houston 1–10–22–02–02–03–15–00–22–2—1–12–21–32–02–05–02–02–03–22–03–10–43–12–32–22–21–1
Indiana 1–42–25–01–44–10–22–02–31–11–1—1–10–22–22–31–13–12–21–11–31–10–22–01–11–12–02–2
L.A. Clippers 0–20–21–10–21–13–14–00–22–32–21–1—0–40–21–13–11–10–21–30–22–31–33–22–22–31–30–2
L.A. Lakers 1–11–12–01–11–12–24–02–03–23–12–04–0—2–00–23–12–01–14–01–13–22–34–03–13–22–22–0
Miami 0–41–42–20–41–32–02–01–30–20–22–22–00–2—0–40–23–31–41–11–40–20–21–10–20–21–13–2
Milwaukee 3–22–23–21–43–21–11–13–21–10–23–21–12–04–0—1–12–24–02–02–21–11–11–11–11–11–13–1
Minnesota 1–10–21–10–21–14–12–30–21–30–51–11–31–32–01–1—1–11–12–22–00–40–43–10–42–21–41–1
New Jersey 1–31–42–21–32–20–21–11–31–10–21–31–10–23–32–21–1—0–51–12–31–10–21–10–21–10–22–3
New York 1–30–54–00–41–30–21–13–10–20–22–22–01–14–10–41–15–0—0–25–10–20–22–01–11–12–03–2
Orlando 1–11–10–20–20–24–13–20–22–22–31–13–10–41–10–22–21–12–0—0–22–20–42–21–31–31–41–1
Philadelphia 4–03–22–23–12–21–12–02–20–20–23–12–01–14–12–20–23–21–52–0—1–11–11–10–21–10–23–2
Phoenix 2–01–12–01–12–04–04–02–03–11–31–13–22–32–01–14–01–12–02–21–1—3–23–11–33–22–22–0
Portland 1–11–12–02–02–03–14–01–13–24–02–03–13–22–01–14–02–02–04–01–12–3—3–22–24–03–12–0
Sacramento 0–20–20–20–21–12–21–30–23–21–30–22–30–41–11–11–31–10–22–21–11–32–3—1–31–41–32–0
San Antonio 0–21–11–12–02–04–14–12–02–23–21–12–21–32–01–14–02–01–13–12–03–12–23–1—3–12–32–0
Seattle 1–10–22–00–21–12–24–01–11–32–21–13–22–32–01–12–21–11–13–11–12–30–44–11–3—1–32–0
Utah 1–11–12–00–22–05–03–12–03–12–20–23–12–21–11–14–12–00–24–12–02–21–33–13–23–1—2–0
Washington 2–21–52–21–33–10–21–11–32–01–12–22–00–22–31–31–13–22–31–12–30–20–20–20–20–20–2—

Game log

Playoffs
1991 playoff game log
First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 26 Atlanta L 98–103 Joe Dumars (20) Laimbeer, Rodman (11) Isiah Thomas (14) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 0–1
2 April 28 Atlanta W 101–88 Joe Dumars (28) Dennis Rodman (10) Isiah Thomas (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 1–1
3 April 30 @ Atlanta W 103–91 Joe Dumars (30) Dennis Rodman (13) Isiah Thomas (13) Omni Coliseum
13,571		 2–1
4 May 2 @ Atlanta L 111–123 Vinnie Johnson (26) Dennis Rodman (12) Isiah Thomas (12) Omni Coliseum
9,854		 2–2
5 May 5 Atlanta W 113–81 Isiah Thomas (26) Dennis Rodman (20) Isiah Thomas (11) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 3–2
Conference semifinals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 7 @ Boston W 86–75 James Edwards (18) Dennis Rodman (16) Isiah Thomas (13) Boston Garden
14,890		 1–0
2 May 9 @ Boston L 103–109 Joe Dumars (29) Bill Laimbeer (15) Joe Dumars (6) Boston Garden
14,890		 1–1
3 May 11 Boston L 83–115 James Edwards (13) Laimbeer, Rodman (12) Vinnie Johnson (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 1–2
4 May 13 Boston W 104–97 Mark Aguirre (34) Dennis Rodman (18) Joe Dumars (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 2–2
5 May 15 @ Boston W 116–111 Joe Dumars (32) Dennis Rodman (10) Joe Dumars (8) Boston Garden
14,890		 3–2
6 May 17 Boston W 117–113 (OT) Joe Dumars (32) Bill Laimbeer (14) Joe Dumars (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 4–2
Conference finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 19 @ Chicago L 83–94 Mark Aguirre (25) Dennis Rodman (9) Isiah Thomas (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676		 0–1
2 May 21 @ Chicago L 97–105 Vinnie Johnson (29) Dennis Rodman (11) Dumars, Thomas (5) Chicago Stadium
18,676		 0–2
3 May 25 Chicago L 107–113 Isiah Thomas (29) four players tied (7) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 0–3
4 May 27 Chicago L 94–115 Isiah Thomas (16) Thomas, Johnson (7) Isiah Thomas (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454		 0–4
1991 schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Joe Dumars 808038.1.481.311.8902.35.51.10.120.4
Isiah Thomas 484634.5.435.292.7823.39.31.60.216.2
Mark Aguirre 781325.7.462.308.7574.81.80.60.314.2
James Edwards 727026.4.484.500.7293.80.90.20.413.6
Vinnie Johnson 822829.1.434.324.6463.43.30.90.211.7
Bill Laimbeer 828132.5.478.296.8379.01.90.50.711.0
Dennis Rodman 827733.5.493.200.63112.51.00.80.78.2
John Salley 74122.3.475.000.7274.40.90.71.57.4
Gerald Henderson 231017.0.427.333.7621.62.70.50.15.3
William Bedford 6049.4.438.385.7052.20.50.00.64.5
John Long 25010.2.412.333.9601.30.70.40.13.8
Scott Hastings 2704.2.571.7501.0001.00.30.00.01.8
Lance Blanks 3805.6.426.125.7140.50.70.20.11.7
Tree Rollins 3705.5.424.5711.10.10.10.51.0

Playoffs
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Joe Dumars 151539.2.429.405.8453.34.11.10.120.6
Mark Aguirre 15226.5.506.364.8244.11.90.80.115.6
Vinnie Johnson 15329.2.464.154.7105.12.90.70.315.2
Isiah Thomas 131133.5.403.273.7254.28.51.00.213.5
Bill Laimbeer 151529.7.446.294.8718.11.30.30.810.9
James Edwards 151123.0.407.6912.50.60.10.210.7
John Salley 15020.5.543.6004.10.70.41.37.5
Dennis Rodman 151433.0.451.222.41711.80.90.70.76.3
William Bedford 838.1.208.000.6432.80.50.30.52.4
Gerald Henderson 1014.0.250.0000.10.60.10.00.8
Scott Hastings 1003.5.500.5000.60.30.00.10.8
Tree Rollins 605.31.0000.50.00.20.20.7

Player Statistics Citation:[11]

Awards and records

References
  1. 1990-91 Detroit Pistons
  2. "Pistons 96, 76ers 94". United Press International. December 1, 1990. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  3. "NBA Games Played on February 7, 1991". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  4. "1990–91 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  5. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Isiah Thomas to Undergo Surgery". The New York Times. January 26, 1991. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  6. "Pistons' Thomas Out for at Least 12 Weeks". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. January 26, 1991. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  7. "Surgeon Says Thomas Likely Done for Season". The Washington Post. January 30, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  8. Klonke, Chuck (May 13, 1991). "Rodman Named Top Defensive Player". United Press International. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  9. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Rodman Is Named Defensive Player of Year". The New York Times. May 14, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  10. "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  11. "1990–91 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  12. Smith, Sam (January 30, 1991). "Pippen Bypassed for All-Star Team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  13. "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  14. Klonke, Chuck (April 26, 1991). "Hawks 103, Pistons 98". United Press International. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  15. "Hawks Stun Defending Champions, 103-98". Deseret News. April 27, 1991. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  16. Tripi, Bob (May 5, 1991). "Alternate Lead: Pistons 113, Hawks 81". United Press International. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  17. Lapointe, Joe (May 6, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Pistons in Overdrive Against Hawks". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  18. Aldridge, David (May 6, 1991). "Thomas, Pistons Clip Hawks". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  19. "1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  20. "NBA PLAYOFFS EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: Only Time Stops Celtics in 115-83 Beating of Pistons". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1991. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  21. Klonke, Chuck (May 11, 1991). "Celtics 115, Pistons 83". United Press International. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  22. Klonke, Chuck (May 17, 1991). "Pistons 117, Celtics 113". United Press International. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  23. Brown, Clifton (May 18, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Quest for Third Title Alive as Pistons Eliminate Celtics". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  24. Cotton, Anthony (May 18, 1991). "Pistons Eliminate Celtics in Overtime". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  25. "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Pistons vs. Celtics". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  26. Brown, Clifton (May 28, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Bulls Brush Aside Pistons for Eastern Title". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  27. Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 28, 1991). "NBA PLAYOFFS: Bulls Erase the Last Doubt: Eastern Conference Finals: Bulls Extinguish Piston Hopes for a Third Consecutive Title, 115-94, and Make Their First Trip to the Championship Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  28. Wilbon, Michael (May 28, 1991). "Bulls Handle All Pistons' Shots, Sweep Them". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  29. "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pistons vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  30. Barnes, Mike (June 12, 1991). "Bulls Beat Lakers for Title, 108-101". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  31. Brown, Clifton (June 13, 1991). "Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A." The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  32. Heisler, Mark (June 13, 1991). "NBA FINALS: LAKERS vs. CHICAGO BULLS: Bulls' Decree: Jordan Rules: Game 5: Chicago Wins First Championship by Sweeping at Forum, 108-101, But Depleted Lakers Go Down Fighting". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  33. Aldridge, David (June 13, 1991). "Jordan, Co. Complete NBA Title Run, 108-101". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  34. "1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  35. Berkow, Ira (May 29, 1991). "Sports of the Times; The Pistons Were a Disgrace". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  36. "The Day the "Bad Boys" Walked Out". Bleacher Report.
  37. Wilbon, Michael (May 29, 1991). "ANALYSIS: Detroit's Bad Boys Are Still in Class by Themselves--None". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  38. "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; 2 Big Trades for Pistons". The New York Times. August 14, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  39. Klein, Gary (August 14, 1991). "Clippers Get Edwards--or a Big Headache: NBA: They Trade Reserve Guard Martin and a Draft Pick to Get 7-Foot-1 Piston Center, But He Is on His Way to Italy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  40. "Spurs Sign Vinnie Johnson". United Press International. December 12, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.

See also
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