1990–91 Detroit Pistons season

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

The 1990–91 Detroit Pistons season was the 43rd season for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association, and their 34th season in Detroit, Michigan.[1] The Pistons entered the regular season as both the 3-time defending Eastern Conference champions, and the 2-time defending NBA champions, after defeating the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the 1990 NBA Finals, and looked to win a third consecutive title.

The Pistons posted a nine-game winning streak in November as the team finished the first month of the regular season with a 13–2 record.[2] However, the team lost six of their next seven games in December, but posted an 11-game winning streak between December and January, and later on held a 34–15 record at the All-Star break.[3] Despite a five-game losing streak between February and March, the Pistons finished in second place in the Central Division with a 50–32 record, eleven games behind the Chicago Bulls, and earned the third seed in the Eastern Conference.[4]

Joe Dumars averaged 20.4 points and 5.5 assists per game, while Isiah Thomas averaged 16.2 points, 9.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, but only played just 48 games due to a wrist injury,[5][6][7] and sixth man Mark Aguirre provided the team with 14.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game off the bench. In addition, James Edwards contributed 13.6 points per game, while Vinnie Johnson contributed 11.7 points and 3.3 assists per game off the bench, and Bill Laimbeer provided with 11.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Dennis Rodman averaged 8.2 points, led the team with 12.5 rebounds per game, and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year,[8][9][10] and John Salley averaged 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and led the team with 1.5 blocks per game also off the bench.[11]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Charlotte Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thomas and Dumars were both selected for the 1991 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team, although Thomas did not participate due to his wrist injury.[12][13][14] Dumars was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Rodman was selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team. Thomas finished in 13th place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Dumars finished in 15th place;[15] Dumars also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting,[15] and head coach Chuck Daly finished in seventh place in Coach of the Year voting.[15]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Pistons faced off against the 6th–seeded Atlanta Hawks, a team that featured All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, Doc Rivers and Kevin Willis. After losing Game 1 to the Hawks at home, 103–98 at The Palace of Auburn Hills,[16][17] the Pistons won the next two games to take a 2–1 series lead, before losing Game 4 to the Hawks on the road, 123–111 at the Omni Coliseum. With the series tied at 2–2, the Pistons won Game 5 over the Hawks at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 113–81 to win in a hard-fought five-game series.[18][19][20]

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion Boston Celtics, who were led by the quartet of All-Star forward Larry Bird, Reggie Lewis, All-Star forward and sixth man Kevin McHale, and All-Star center Robert Parish. The Celtics took a 2–1 series lead, as the Pistons lost Game 3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills by a blowout loss, 115–83.[21][22] However, the Pistons managed to win the next three games, including a Game 6 win over the Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills in overtime, 117–113 to win the series in six games.[23][24][25]

In their fifth consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearance, and for the fourth consecutive year, the Pistons faced off against the top–seeded, and Central Division champion Bulls, who were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. However, the Pistons lost the first two games to the Bulls on the road at the Chicago Stadium, and then lost the next two games at home, including a Game 4 loss to the Bulls at The Palace of Auburn Hills, 115–94; the Pistons lost the series in a four-game sweep, and were unable to reach the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year.[26][27][28] The Bulls would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, and defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the 1991 NBA Finals, winning their first ever NBA championship.[29][30][31]

Towards the end of the loss to the Bulls in Game 4 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, most of the Pistons' players walked off the court towards the locker room without congratulating their opponents, or shaking hands; this was seen as a sign of disrespect by the outgoing champions, and was concocted by Laimbeer in response to comments made by Jordan, about the Pistons' physical playing style being bad for basketball, calling them "undeserving champions", and that he felt the league would be happy to see the Pistons lose.[32][33][34]

The Pistons finished second in the NBA in home-game attendance behind the Charlotte Hornets, with an attendance of 879,614 at The Palace of Auburn Hills during the regular season.[11][35] Following the season, Edwards was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers,[36][37] Johnson signed as a free agent with the San Antonio Spurs,[38] and reserve center Scott Hastings was dealt to the Denver Nuggets.

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. 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 32 Lance Blanks 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–09–09 Texas
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 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1955–11–22 Washington
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 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
C 30 Tree Rollins 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1955–06–16 Clemson
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-Chicago Bulls 61 21 .744 — 35–6 26–15 25–5
x-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 11 32–9 18–23 19–11
x-Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 .585 13 33–8 15–26 16–14
x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 18 29–12 14–27 11–19
x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 20 29–12 12–29 15–15
Cleveland Cavaliers 33 49 .402 28 23–18 10–31 11–19
Charlotte Hornets 26 56 .317 35 17–24 9–32 8–22
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Chicago Bulls 61 21 .744 –
2 y-Boston Celtics 56 26 .683 5
3 x-Detroit Pistons 50 32 .610 11
4 x-Milwaukee Bucks 48 34 .585 13
5 x-Philadelphia 76ers 44 38 .537 17
6 x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 18
7 x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 20
8 x-New York Knicks 39 43 .476 22
9 Cleveland Cavaliers 33 49 .402 28
10 Washington Bullets 30 52 .366 31
11 New Jersey Nets 26 56 .317 35
12 Charlotte Hornets 26 56 .317 35
13 Miami Heat 24 58 .293 37
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Game log

Playoffs

1991 playoff game log
First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
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% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Joe Dumars 80 80 38.1 .481 .311 .890 2.3 5.5 1.1 0.1 20.4
Isiah Thomas 48 46 34.5 .435 .292 .782 3.3 9.3 1.6 0.2 16.2
Mark Aguirre 78 13 25.7 .462 .308 .757 4.8 1.8 0.6 0.3 14.2
James Edwards 72 70 26.4 .484 .500 .729 3.8 0.9 0.2 0.4 13.6
Vinnie Johnson 82 28 29.1 .434 .324 .646 3.4 3.3 0.9 0.2 11.7
Bill Laimbeer 82 81 32.5 .478 .296 .837 9.0 1.9 0.5 0.7 11.0
Dennis Rodman 82 77 33.5 .493 .200 .631 12.5 1.0 0.8 0.7 8.2
John Salley 74 1 22.3 .475 .000 .727 4.4 0.9 0.7 1.5 7.4
Gerald Henderson 23 10 17.0 .427 .333 .762 1.6 2.7 0.5 0.1 5.3
William Bedford 60 4 9.4 .438 .385 .705 2.2 0.5 0.0 0.6 4.5
John Long 25 0 10.2 .412 .333 .960 1.3 0.7 0.4 0.1 3.8
Scott Hastings 27 0 4.2 .571 .750 1.000 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 1.8
Lance Blanks 38 0 5.6 .426 .125 .714 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.1 1.7
Tree Rollins 37 0 5.5 .424 .571 1.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 1.0

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Joe Dumars 15 15 39.2 .429 .405 .845 3.3 4.1 1.1 0.1 20.6
Mark Aguirre 15 2 26.5 .506 .364 .824 4.1 1.9 0.8 0.1 15.6
Vinnie Johnson 15 3 29.2 .464 .154 .710 5.1 2.9 0.7 0.3 15.2
Isiah Thomas 13 11 33.5 .403 .273 .725 4.2 8.5 1.0 0.2 13.5
Bill Laimbeer 15 15 29.7 .446 .294 .871 8.1 1.3 0.3 0.8 10.9
James Edwards 15 11 23.0 .407 .691 2.5 0.6 0.1 0.2 10.7
John Salley 15 0 20.5 .543 .600 4.1 0.7 0.4 1.3 7.5
Dennis Rodman 15 14 33.0 .451 .222 .417 11.8 0.9 0.7 0.7 6.3
William Bedford 8 3 8.1 .208 .000 .643 2.8 0.5 0.3 0.5 2.4
Gerald Henderson 10 1 4.0 .250 .000 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.8
Scott Hastings 10 0 3.5 .500 .500 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.8
Tree Rollins 6 0 5.3 1.000 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.7

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. ^ a b c "1990–91 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Barnard, Bill (February 10, 1991). "The Show of Shows for Magic: NBA: For Laker Guard, Making His 10th Appearance, Each and Every All-Star Game Is a Special Occasion". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  13. ^ "1991 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  14. ^ "1991 NBA All-Star Game: East 116, West 114". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  15. ^ a b c "1990–91 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
  16. ^ Klonke, Chuck (April 26, 1991). "Hawks 103, Pistons 98". United Press International. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "Hawks Stun Defending Champions, 103-98". Deseret News. April 27, 1991. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Lapointe, Joe (May 6, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Pistons in Overdrive Against Hawks". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  19. ^ Aldridge, David (May 6, 1991). "Thomas, Pistons Clip Hawks". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  20. ^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Hawks vs. Pistons". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ Klonke, Chuck (May 11, 1991). "Celtics 115, Pistons 83". 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. ^ Wilbon, Michael (May 28, 1991). "Bulls Handle All Pistons' Shots, Sweep Them". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  28. ^ "1991 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Pistons vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  29. ^ Brown, Clifton (June 13, 1991). "Jordan Crowns Career and Bulls Reign in N.B.A." The New York Times. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ "1991 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  32. ^ Berkow, Ira (May 29, 1991). "Sports of the Times; The Pistons Were a Disgrace". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  33. ^ Wilbon, Michael (May 29, 1991). "ANALYSIS: Detroit's Bad Boys Are Still in Class by Themselves--None". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  34. ^ Wilbon, Michael (May 29, 1991). "In the End, Bad Boys Nothing But Crybabies". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  35. ^ "1990–91 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  36. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; 2 Big Trades for Pistons". The New York Times. August 14, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ "Spurs Sign Vinnie Johnson". United Press International. December 12, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.

See also

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