NBA team season
The 1989–90 NBA season was the Pistons' 42nd season in the National Basketball Association , and 33rd season in the city of Detroit .[1] As the defending champions, the Pistons had another successful season winning 13 consecutive games around January and February, then posting a 12-game winning streak in March as they finished first place in the Eastern Conference with a 59–23 record.[2] Isiah Thomas led the team with 18.4 points, 9.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, while last year's Finals MVP Joe Dumars averaged 17.8 points and 4.9 assists per game, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, and Dennis Rodman provided the team with 8.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and was named Defensive Player of the Year.[3] In addition, James Edwards provided with 14.5 points per game, while Mark Aguirre contributed 14.1 points per game, and Bill Laimbeer averaged 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Vinnie Johnson contributed 9.8 points per game, and John Salley led the team with 1.9 blocks per game.[4] Thomas, Dumars and Rodman were all selected for the 1990 NBA All-Star Game , with head coach Chuck Daly coaching the Eastern Conference.[5] Dumars and Rodman were both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team.
In the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Pistons swept the Indiana Pacers in three straight games,[6] then defeated the 5th-seeded New York Knicks four games to one in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals.[7] In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls in seven games to advance to the NBA Finals for the third straight year.[8] In the finals, they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in five hard-fought games to win their second consecutive NBA championship. Thomas was named NBA Finals MVP.[9] 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.[10]
Draft picks [ ]
Round
Pick
Player
Position
Nationality
College
1
27
Kenny Battle
Forward
United States
Illinois
Roster [ ]
1989–90 Detroit Pistons roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB (YYYY-MM-DD)
From
SF
23
Aguirre, Mark
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
232 lb (105 kg)
––
DePaul
C
00
Bedford, William
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
––
Memphis
SG
4
Dumars, Joe
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
––
McNeese State
C
53
Edwards, James
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
––
Washington
PF
33
Greenwood, Dave
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
222 lb (101 kg)
––
UCLA
PF
35
Hastings, Scott
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
––
Arkansas
PG
12
Henderson, Gerald
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
––
Virginia Commonwealth
SG
15
Johnson, Vinnie
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
––
Baylor
C
40
Laimbeer, Bill
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
––
Notre Dame
SF
10
Rodman, Dennis
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
––
Southeastern Oklahoma State
PF
22
Salley, John
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
––
Georgia Tech
PG
11
Thomas, Isiah
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
––
Indiana
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(C) Team captain(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Regular season [ ]
Season standings [ ]
[11]
Record vs. opponents [ ]
1989-90 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
—
1–3
2–0
0–5
2–3
0–2
1–1
3–2
2–0
2–0
2–3
1–1
0–2
4–0
3–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
5–0
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
Boston
3–1
—
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
2–0
1–3
1–1
0–2
5–0
2–2
1–1
5–1
4–1
4–0
3–2
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–3
Charlotte
0–2
0–2
—
0–2
1–1
1–3
3–2
0–2
2–2
1–4
1–1
2–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–3
0–5
0–4
0–5
0–2
Chicago
5–0
2–2
2–0
—
5–0
2–0
1–1
1–4
2–0
1–1
2–3
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
3–2
2–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
3–1
Cleveland
3–2
1–3
1–1
0–5
—
0–2
0–2
1–4
1–1
0–2
3–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
3–2
1–1
4–0
2–2
4–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
Dallas
2–0
1–1
3–1
0–2
2–0
—
2–3
1–1
3–1
4–1
2–0
3–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
0–4
3–1
3–2
2–2
1–3
1–1
Denver
1–1
1–1
2–3
1–1
2–0
3–2
—
0–2
2–2
4–1
0–2
2–2
0–4
2–0
1–1
5–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–3
2–2
4–0
1–3
2–2
0–4
1–1
Detroit
2–3
2–2
2–0
4–1
4–1
1–1
2–0
—
1–1
1–1
4–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–2
2–0
4–0
4–0
5–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
Golden State
0–2
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–1
—
2–2
1–1
3–1
1–4
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–5
2–2
3–2
1–3
2–3
2–2
1–1
Houston
0–2
0–2
4–1
1–1
2–0
1–4
1–4
1–1
2–2
—
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–2
1–3
4–0
2–2
2–2
3–2
1–1
Indiana
3–2
3–1
1–1
3–2
2–3
0–2
2–0
1–4
1–1
1–1
—
0–2
0–2
3–1
3–2
1–1
4–0
1–3
4–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
L.A. Clippers
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–1
1–3
2–2
2–0
—
1–4
0–2
1–1
3–1
2–0
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–4
0–5
2–3
0–4
3–2
0–4
1–1
L.A. Lakers
2–0
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
1–1
4–1
2–2
2–0
4–1
—
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–3
5–0
2–2
4–0
2–2
1–1
Miami
0–4
0–5
1–1
0–4
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
—
2–2
1–1
1–4
1–5
3–1
0–5
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
2–3
Milwaukee
2–3
2–2
2–0
1–4
2–3
1–1
1–1
2–3
1–1
1–1
2–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
—
2–0
4–0
2–2
5–0
1–3
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
3–1
Minnesota
1–1
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–4
0–5
0–2
1–3
2–2
1–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
0–2
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
0–4
1–3
2–2
1–4
1–3
0–5
1–1
New Jersey
2–2
1–5
1–1
1–3
0–4
0–2
0–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
0–2
0–2
4–1
0–4
1–1
—
1–4
1–3
1–4
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
2–3
New York
3–1
1–4
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–1
1–1
0–4
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
0–2
5–1
2–2
1–1
4–1
—
2–2
2–3
1–1
0–2
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
5–0
Orlando
0–5
0–4
1–1
2–3
1–4
0–2
0–2
0–5
0–2
0–2
1–4
0–2
1–1
1–3
0–5
1–1
3–1
2–2
—
2–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
Philadelphia
2–2
2–3
2–0
2–2
2–2
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
5–0
3–1
1–1
4–1
3–2
2–2
—
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
5–1
Phoenix
2–0
1–1
3–1
0–2
1–1
3–1
3–1
0–2
5–0
2–2
1–1
4–0
1–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
—
2–3
5–0
0–4
3–2
3–1
2–0
Portland
1–1
2–0
4–0
1–1
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–2
3–1
1–1
5–0
3–2
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
3–2
—
4–0
3–1
3–2
2–2
1–1
Sacramento
1–1
0–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
2–3
0–4
1–1
3–2
0–5
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–5
0–4
—
0–4
2–2
1–3
1–1
San Antonio
1–1
1–1
5–0
1–1
1–1
2–3
3–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
1–1
4–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
4–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
4–0
1–3
4–0
—
3–1
3–2
2–0
Seattle
1–1
0–2
4–0
1–1
1–1
2–2
2–2
1–1
3–2
2–2
1–1
2–3
0–4
2–0
0–2
3–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–3
2–3
2–2
1–3
—
1–3
2–0
Utah
1–1
1–1
5–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–2
2–3
1–1
4–0
2–2
1–1
2–0
5–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–2
3–1
2–3
3–1
—
2–0
Washington
2–2
3–2
2–0
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
0–4
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
3–2
1–3
1–1
3–2
0–5
4–0
1–5
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
—
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)
Conference Semifinals: 4–1 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–1)
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 [ ]
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
Awards and records [ ]
Transactions [ ]
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References [ ]
^ 1989-90 Detroit Pistons
^ "1989–90 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 9, 2021 .
^ "Rodman Is the Key to Piston Defense" . New York Times . May 8, 1990. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ "1989–90 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 14, 2021 .
^ "1990 NBA All-Star Game: East 130, West 113" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved December 9, 2021 .
^ "Pistons Sweep the Pacers To Start Defense of Title" . New York Times . May 2, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021 .
^ "Pistons' Defense Leaves Knicks Out in Cold" . New York Times . May 16, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021 .
^ "Piston Defense Reigns Supreme" . New York Times . June 4, 1990. Retrieved December 7, 2021 .
^ "Pistons Rally to Repeat as N.B.A. Champions" . New York Times . June 15, 1990. Retrieved October 10, 2017 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Teamwork Thumps Star Power" . New York Times . June 16, 2004. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ 1989-90 NBA Season Summary - Basketball-Reference.com
External links [ ]
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1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Bold indicates NBA Finals victory