1989–90 Detroit Pistons season

1989–90 Detroit Pistons season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coachChuck Daly
General managerJack McCloskey
OwnersWilliam Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record59–23 (.720)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA champions
(Defeated Trail Blazers 4–1)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
PASS Sports
RadioWWJ

The 1989–90 Detroit Pistons season was the 42nd season for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association, and their 33rd season in Detroit, Michigan.[1] The Pistons entered the regular season as the defending NBA champions, after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in a four-game sweep in the 1989 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship.

As the defending champions, the Pistons got off to a 13–10 start to the regular season, but then won ten of their next eleven games, and later on held a 35–14 record at the All-Star break.[2] The team posted a 13-game winning streak between January and February,[3] and then posted a 12-game winning streak between February and March.[4][5] The Pistons finished in first place in the Central Division with a 59–23 record, and earned the first seed in the Eastern Conference.[6]

Isiah Thomas averaged 18.4 points, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while Joe Dumars averaged 17.8 points and 4.9 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and James Edwards provided the team with 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. In addition, Mark Aguirre contributed 14.1 points per game, while Bill Laimbeer provided with 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, and Vinnie Johnson contributed 9.8 points and 3.1 assists per game. Meanwhile, Dennis Rodman averaged 8.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year,[7][8][9] and John Salley provided with 7.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.[10]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Miami Arena in Miami, Florida, Thomas, Dumars and Rodman were all selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, while head coach Chuck Daly was selected to coach the Eastern Conference; it was the first ever All-Star appearance for both Dumars and Rodman.[11][12][13] Dumars and Rodman were also both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team; Thomas and Dumars both finished tied in 13th place in Most Valuable Player voting,[14] while Dumars also finished tied in third place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[14] and Daly finished in fourth place in Coach of the Year voting.[15][14]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1990 NBA playoffs, the Pistons faced off against the 8th–seeded Indiana Pacers, a team that featured All-Star guard Reggie Miller, Chuck Person, and sixth man Detlef Schrempf. The Pistons won the first two games over the Pacers at home at The Palace of Auburn Hills, before winning Game 3 on the road, 108–96 at the Market Square Arena to win the series in a three-game sweep.[16][17][18]

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 5th–seeded New York Knicks, a team that featured All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Maurice Cheeks. The Pistons took a 2–0 series lead before losing Game 3 to the Knicks on the road, 111–103 at Madison Square Garden. The Pistons managed to win the next two games, which included a Game 5 win over the Knicks at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 95–84 to win the series in five games.[19][20][21]

In the Eastern Conference Finals, and for the third consecutive year, the Pistons faced off against the 3rd–seeded Chicago Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The Pistons won the first two games over the Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills, before losing the next two games on the road at the Chicago Stadium, as the Bulls evened the series. After winning Game 5 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 97–83, the Pistons lost Game 6 to the Bulls at the Chicago Stadium, 109–91. With the series tied at 3–3, the Pistons won Game 7 over the Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 93–74 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series, and advance to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year.[22][23][24]

In the 1990 NBA Finals, the Pistons faced off against the 3rd–seeded Portland Trail Blazers, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, Terry Porter, and All-Star center Kevin Duckworth. The Pistons won Game 1 over the Trail Blazers at home, 105–99 at The Palace of Auburn Hills,[25][26][27] but then lost Game 2 at home in overtime, 106–105 as the Trail Blazers evened the series.[28][29][30] The Pistons managed to win the next three games on the road, including a Game 5 win over the Trail Blazers at the Memorial Coliseum, 92–90 to win the series in five games, and win their second consecutive NBA championship, as Thomas was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.[31][32][33]

The Pistons finished third in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 879,705 at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the regular season.[10][34] The Pistons would not reach the NBA Finals again until 2004, in which they won the Finals in five games against their heavily favored rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers to win their third NBA championship.[35]

Draft picks

Main article: 1989 NBA draft

Roster

1989–90 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G/F 23 Mark Aguirre 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1959–12–10 DePaul
C 00 William Bedford 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–14 Memphis
G 4 Joe Dumars 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
C 53 James Edwards 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
F 33 Dave Greenwood 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 222 lb (101 kg) 1957–05–27 UCLA
F 35 Scott Hastings 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1960–06–03 Arkansas
G 12 Gerald Henderson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1956–01–16 VCU
G 15 Vinnie Johnson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1956–09–01 Baylor
F/C 40 Bill Laimbeer 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–05–19 Notre Dame
F 10 Dennis Rodman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
F/C 22 John Salley 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–16 Georgia Tech
G 11 Isiah Thomas 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–04–30 Indiana
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Season standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720 – 35–6 24–17 22–8
x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4 36–5 19–22 20–10
x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15 27–14 17–24 14–16
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17 27–14 15–26 14–16
x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17 28–13 14–27 16–14
Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18 25–16 16–25 15–15
Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41 12–29 6–35 4–26
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 59 23 .720 –
2 y-Philadelphia 76ers 53 29 .646 6
3 x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 4
4 x-Boston Celtics 52 30 .634 7
5 x-New York Knicks 45 37 .549 14
6 x-Milwaukee Bucks 44 38 .537 15
7 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 42 40 .512 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 42 40 .512 17
9 Atlanta Hawks 41 41 .500 18
10 Washington Bullets 31 51 .378 28
11 Miami Heat 18 64 .220 41
12 Orlando Magic 18 64 .220 41
13 New Jersey Nets 17 65 .207 42

[36]

Game log

1989–90 game log
Total: 59–23 (Home: 35–6; Road: 24–17)
November: 9–5 (home: 5–1; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
December: 9–6 (home: 5–1; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
January: 12–3 (home: 8–1; road: 4–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
February: 10–1 (home: 6–0; road: 4–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
March: 11–4 (home: 6–0; road: 5–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
April: 7–4 (home: 4–3; road: 3–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1989–90 schedule

Playoffs

1990 playoff game log
First Round: 3–0 (home: 2–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 26 Indiana W 104–92 James Edwards (21) Bill Laimbeer (14) Thomas, Dumars (5) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 April 28 Indiana W 100–87 Bill Laimbeer (22) Bill Laimbeer (11) Isiah Thomas (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–0
3 May 1 @ Indiana W 108–96 Isiah Thomas (23) Bill Laimbeer (19) Isiah Thomas (9) Market Square Arena
15,301 		3–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 8 New York W 112–77 Isiah Thomas (21) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 May 10 New York W 104–97 James Edwards (32) Bill Laimbeer (13) Isiah Thomas (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–0
3 May 12 @ New York L 103–111 Isiah Thomas (20) Dennis Rodman (8) Isiah Thomas (6) Madison Square Garden
18,212 		2–1
4 May 13 @ New York W 102–90 James Edwards (19) Dennis Rodman (14) Isiah Thomas (11) Madison Square Garden
18,212 		3–1
5 May 15 New York W 95–84 Mark Aguirre (25) Dennis Rodman (11) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		4–1
Conference Finals: 4–3 (home: 4–0; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 20 Chicago W 86–77 Joe Dumars (27) Dennis Rodman (13) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 May 22 Chicago W 102–93 Joe Dumars (31) Laimbeer, Johnson (8) Thomas, Johnson (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–0
3 May 26 @ Chicago L 102–107 Isiah Thomas (36) Bill Laimbeer (8) Isiah Thomas (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		2–1
4 May 28 @ Chicago L 101–108 Isiah Thomas (26) Dennis Rodman (20) Isiah Thomas (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		2–2
5 May 30 Chicago W 97–83 Joe Dumars (20) John Salley (10) Isiah Thomas (10) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		3–2
6 June 1 @ Chicago L 91–109 Joe Dumars (23) Rodman, Laimbeer (8) Isiah Thomas (10) Chicago Stadium
18,676 		3–3
7 June 3 Chicago W 93–74 Isiah Thomas (21) Mark Aguirre (10) Isiah Thomas (11) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		4–3
NBA Finals: 4–1 (home: 1–1; road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 5 Portland W 105–99 Isiah Thomas (33) Bill Laimbeer (15) Isiah Thomas (6) The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–0
2 June 7 Portland L 105–106 (OT) Edwards, Laimbeer (26) Bill Laimbeer (11) Isiah Thomas (11) The Palace at Auburn Hills
21,454 		1–1
3 June 10 @ Portland W 121–106 Joe Dumars (33) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (8) Memorial Coliseum
12,884 		2–1
4 June 12 @ Portland W 112–109 Isiah Thomas (32) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (5) Memorial Coliseum
12,642 		3–1
5 June 14 @ Portland W 92–90 Isiah Thomas (29) Bill Laimbeer (17) Joe Dumars (7) Memorial Coliseum
12,642 		4–1
1990 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

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Aguirre 78 40 25.7 .488 .333 .756 3.9 1.9 .44 .24 14.1
William Bedford 42 0 5.9 .432 .167 .409 1.4 .1 .07 .40 2.8
Joe Dumars 75 71 34.4 .480 .400 .900 2.8 4.9 .84 .03 17.8
James Edwards 82 70 27.8 .498 .000 .749 4.2 .8 .28 .45 14.5
Dave Greenwood 37 0 5.5 .423 .000 .552 2.1 .3 .11 .24 1.6
Scott Hastings 40 0 4.2 .303 .250 .864 .8 .2 .08 .08 1.0
Gerald Henderson 46 0 7.3 .506 .452 .769 .7 1.3 .17 .04 2.3
Vinnie Johnson 82 12 24.0 .431 .147 .668 3.1 3.1 .87 .16 9.8
Stan Kimbrough 10 0 5.0 .438 .000 1.000 .7 .5 .40 .00 1.6
Bill Laimbeer 81 81 33.0 .484 .361 .854 9.6 2.1 .70 1.04 12.1
Ralph Lewis 4 0 1.5 .000 .000 .000 .0 .0 .00 .00 .0
Dennis Rodman 82 43 29.0 .581 .111 .654 9.7 .9 .63 .73 8.8
John Salley 82 12 23.3 .512 .250 .713 5.4 .8 .62 1.87 7.2
Isiah Thomas 81 81 37.0 .438 .309 .775 3.8 9.4 1.72 .23 18.4

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Aguirre 20 3 22.0 .467 .333 .750 4.6 1.4 .50 .15 11.0
William Bedford 5 0 3.8 .167 .000 1.000 .4 .0 .00 .20 .8
Joe Dumars 20 20 37.7 .458 .263 .876 2.2 4.8 1.10 .00 18.2
James Edwards 20 20 26.8 .494 .000 .604 3.6 .6 .25 .55 14.3
Dave Greenwood 5 0 9.4 .500 .000 .250 1.8 .0 .40 .00 1.0
Scott Hastings 5 0 3.2 .250 .000 .000 .0 .0 .20 .00 .4
Gerald Henderson 8 0 2.4 .200 .000 .000 .4 .5 .25 .00 .2
Vinnie Johnson 20 0 23.2 .462 .286 .791 2.8 2.7 .40 .20 10.3
Bill Laimbeer 20 20 33.4 .457 .349 .862 10.6 1.4 1.15 .90 11.1
Dennis Rodman 19 17 29.5 .568 .000 .514 8.5 .9 .47 .68 6.6
John Salley 20 0 27.4 .475 .000 .755 5.8 1.0 .45 1.65 9.5
Isiah Thomas 20 20 37.9 .463 .471 .794 5.4 8.2 2.15 .35 20.4

Player statistics citation:[10]

Awards and records

Transactions

Free agents

Subtractions
Player Date signed New team
Rick Mahorn Expansion Draft June 15, 1989 Minnesota Timberwolves

References

  1. ^ "1989-90 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  2. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1990". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Hafner, Dan (February 22, 1990). "NBA ROUNDUP: Pistons Don't Let Up on Magic, 140-109". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  4. ^ DiGiovanni, Joe (March 20, 1990). "Pistons 117, Bucks 96". United Press International. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  5. ^ Aldridge, David (March 25, 1990). "Pistons Frightening Everybody". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  6. ^ "1989–90 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Dennis Rodman NBA Defensive Player of Year". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 7, 1990. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  8. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 8, 1990). "Rodman Is the Key to Piston Defense". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  9. ^ "NBA & ABA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c "1989–90 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  11. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (February 11, 1990). "NBA ALL-STAR GAME: Entire Family Is Back Together--Almost". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  12. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c "1989–90 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  15. ^ "Riley Edges Adelman, Lynam as Sporting News' Top NBA Coach". Deseret News. May 27, 1990. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  16. ^ Slater, Jim (May 1, 1990). "Pistons 108, Pacers 96". United Press International. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  17. ^ "Pistons Sweep the Pacers to Start Defense of Title". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 2, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "1990 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pacers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Goldaper, Sam (May 16, 1990). "Pistons' Defense Leaves Knicks Out in Cold". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  20. ^ "Detroit Eliminates New York, 95-84: Eastern Conference: Mark Aguirre Comes Off the Bench to Scores 25 Points. Pistons Make Their Fourth Consecutive Trip to the Conference Finals". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 16, 1990. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  21. ^ "1990 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Knicks vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Goldaper, Sam (June 4, 1990). "Piston Defense Reigns Supreme". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  23. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 4, 1990). "Pistons: Job Still to Be Done: Pro Basketball: Detroit Finishes Chicago, 93-74, But the Celebration Is Muted, Because NBA Final Series with Portland Is Ahead". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  24. ^ "1990 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Bulls vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  25. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 6, 1990). "Portland Tries to Swallow a Bitter Loss". The New York Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  26. ^ McManis, Sam (June 6, 1990). "Daly Simply Puts Trust in Thomas as Pistons Rally: NBA Finals: Detroit Guard Scores 14 of His 33 Points During a 19-4 Piston Run That Beats Portland, 105-99". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  27. ^ Aldridge, David (June 6, 1990). "Thomas Leads, Pistons Follow to 105-99 Game 1 Victory". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 8, 1990). "BASKETBALL; Drexler Is Confident as Blazers Go Home". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  29. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 8, 1990). "Trail Blazers Get Even for Game 1 Collapse, 106-105: NBA Finals: Drexler's Free Throws Finally Defuse Laimbeer's Bombs in Overtime. The Next Three Games Are in Portland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  30. ^ Aldridge, David (June 8, 1990). "Blazers Win in Overtime". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 15, 1990). "Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions". The New York Times. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  32. ^ McManis, Sam (June 15, 1990). "Vinnie, Vidi, Vici: Pistons Repeat Feat: NBA Finals: Johnson Hits Game-Winner in Last Second as Detroit Rallies from Seven-Point Deficit for a 92-90 Victory. Thomas Is the Unanimous Choice as MVP". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  33. ^ "1990 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  34. ^ "1989–90 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  35. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Teamwork Thumps Star Power". The New York Times. June 16, 2004. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  36. ^ 1989-90 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.