1991–92 Detroit Pistons season

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1991–92 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachChuck Daly
General managerJack McCloskey
OwnersWilliam Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record48–34 (.585)
PlaceDivision: 3rd (Central)
Conference: 5th (Eastern)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Knicks 2–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
PASS Sports
RadioWWJ
< 1990–91 1992–93 >

The 1991–92 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 44th season in the National Basketball Association, and 35th season in the city of Detroit.[1] During the off-season, the Pistons acquired Orlando Woolridge from the Denver Nuggets.[2][3] The Pistons got off to a slow start with a 9–13 record, but managed to win 10 of their next 13 games. In December, during a road game against the Utah Jazz, Karl Malone committed a flagrant foul on Isiah Thomas, in which Malone hit Thomas's forehead with his elbow, and Thomas had to receive 40 stitches; Malone was suspended for one game.[4][5][6] The Pistons held a 28–20 record at the All-Star break,[7] and won seven consecutive games in March, then won six in a row in April, finishing third in the Central Division with a 48–34 record.[8]

Joe Dumars led the team in scoring with 19.9 points per game, while Thomas averaged 18.5 points, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and Dennis Rodman provided the team with 9.8 points, and led the league with 18.7 rebounds per game. In addition, Woolridge averaged 14.0 points per game, while sixth man Mark Aguirre provided with 11.3 points per game off the bench, Bill Laimbeer contributed 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and John Salley provided with 9.5 points and 1.5 blocks per game.[9] Dumars, Thomas and Rodman were all selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game,[10][11] while Dumars and Rodman were both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, and Rodman was selected to the All-NBA Third Team. Rodman also finished in second place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[12]

Throughout the season, speculation that it was Chuck Daly's last season as head coach of the Pistons lingered in the media, intensifying as the season went out and well into the playoffs.[13][14][15][16] As the “Bad Boys” era was fading, the Pistons were eliminated in five games in the Eastern Conference First Round of the playoffs by the New York Knicks.[17][18][19] The Pistons would not return to the playoffs until 1996. Following the season, Daly left to coach the New Jersey Nets,[20][21][22] and Salley was traded to the Miami Heat.[23][24][25][26]

Meanwhile, the Bulls-Pistons rivalry took another ugly turn as Thomas was left off the Dream Team coached by Daly, reportedly at the request of Michael Jordan.[27][28][29][30]

Draft picks

Main article: 1991 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 40 Doug Overton PG  United States La Salle

Roster

1991–92 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
SF 23 Aguirre, Mark 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1959–12–10 DePaul
C 50 Bedford, William 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1963–12–14 Memphis
SG 32 Blanks, Lance 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1966–09–09 Texas
SG 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
PG 12 Henderson, Gerald 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1956–01–16 VCU
C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–05–19 Notre Dame
PF 30 McCann, Bob 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 244 lb (111 kg) 1964–04–22 Morehead State
PF 10 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
PF 22 Salley, John 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–05–16 Georgia Tech
C 2 Sellers, Brad 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1962–12–17 Ohio State
PG 14 Thomas, Charles 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1969–10–03 Eastern Michigan
PG 11 Thomas, Isiah 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–04–30 Indiana
SG 5 Walker, Darrell 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–03–09 Arkansas
PF 6 Woolridge, Orlando 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–12–16 Notre Dame
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 Bulls 67 15 .817 — 36–5 31–10 22–6
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 57 25 .695 10 35–6 22–19 21–7
x-Detroit Pistons 48 34 .585 19 25–16 23–18 15–13
x-Indiana Pacers 40 42 .488 27 26–15 14–27 13–15
Atlanta Hawks 38 44 .463 29 23–18 15–26 7–21
Milwaukee Bucks 31 51 .378 36 25–16 6–35 10–18
Charlotte Hornets 31 51 .378 36 22–19 9–32 10–18
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Chicago Bulls 67 15 .817 –
2 y-Boston Celtics 51 31 .622 16
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 57 25 .695 10
4 x-New York Knicks 51 31 .622 16
5 x-Detroit Pistons 48 34 .585 19
6 x-New Jersey Nets 40 42 .488 27
7 x-Indiana Pacers 40 42 .488 27
8 x-Miami Heat 38 44 .463 29
9 Atlanta Hawks 38 44 .463 29
10 Philadelphia 76ers 35 47 .427 32
11 Milwaukee Bucks 31 51 .378 36
12 Charlotte Hornets 31 51 .378 36
13 Washington Bullets 25 57 .305 42
14 Orlando Magic 21 61 .256 46
z - clinched conference title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1991-92 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 — 3–1 2–2 0–5 0–5 2–0 2–0 1–4 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–2
Boston 1–3 — 3–1 1–3 3–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–2 2–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 5–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–1
Charlotte 2–2 1–3 — 0–4 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–4 1–1 0–2 3–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 2–3 1–1 1–3 0–4 3–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–2
Chicago 5–0 3–1 4–0 — 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 3–2 2–0 4–0 4–0 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 4–0
Cleveland 5–0 1–3 3–2 2–3 — 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 3–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Dallas 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 — 3–2 0–2 0–4 4–2 1–1 1–3 0–4 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 0–4 1–3 0–5 0–4 1–4 0–2
Denver 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–3 — 0–2 0–4 2–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 2–3 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–4 1–3 1–5 1–1
Detroit 4–1 0–4 4–1 1–4 1–3 2–0 2–0 — 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 2–0 2–2 3–2 1–1 2–2 2–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Golden State 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 4–0 1–1 — 2–2 2–0 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 5–0 2–2 3–2 1–3 2–0
Houston 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–4 3–2 0–2 2–2 — 1–1 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–1 3–1 3–2 1–3 1–4 2–0
Indiana 4–1 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–5 1–1 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 — 0–2 2–0 3–1 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2
L.A. Clippers 1–1 0–2 2–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–0 — 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–3 2–3 2–2 2–3 1–3 0–2
L.A. Lakers 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 0–2 2–3 2–2 0–2 3–2 — 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 2–3 1–4 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
Miami 2–2 2–3 3–1 0–4 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 0–2 — 4–0 2–0 2–2 1–4 3–1 1–4 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–0
Milwaukee 1–3 2–2 3–2 2–3 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–4 0–2 1–1 0–4 — 2–0 0–4 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Minnesota 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–3 3–2 1–1 0–4 2–3 0–2 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 — 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 0–4 1–3 0–6 0–4 2–3 0–2
New Jersey 1–3 3–2 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 2–2 4–0 2–0 — 2–3 3–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–3
New York 2–2 2–3 4–0 0–4 0–4 2–0 2–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 3–1 2–0 3–2 — 4–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0
Orlando 2–2 0–5 1–3 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 0–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–0 1–3 1–4 — 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–3
Philadelphia 2–2 1–3 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 4–1 1–3 2–0 2–3 1–3 2–3 — 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 5–0
Phoenix 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–3 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 — 3–2 4–1 3–1 3–2 2–2 2–0
Portland 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 0–2 3–2 1–3 2–0 3–2 4–1 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–3 — 5–0 2–2 4–1 2–2 2–0
Sacramento 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 0–5 1–3 1–1 3–2 1–4 0–2 2–0 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–4 0–5 — 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 5–0 4–1 1–1 2–2 2–3 0–2 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 6–0 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 — 3–1 1–4 0–2
Seattle 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 3–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–3 1–4 4–1 1–3 — 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1 5–1 1–1 3–1 4–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 3–1 4–1 1–3 — 2–0
Washington 2–2 1–3 2–2 0–4 0–4 2–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 0–4 3–2 0–5 0–2 0–2 0–2 2–0 0–2 0–2 —

Game log

Playoffs

1992 playoff game log
First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 24 @ New York L 75–109 Joe Dumars (13) John Salley (5) Joe Dumars (5) Madison Square Garden
19,081 		1–0
2 April 26 @ New York W 89–88 Joe Dumars (21) Bill Laimbeer (12) Isiah Thomas (6) Madison Square Garden
18,793 		1–1
3 April 28 New York L 87–90 (OT) John Salley (20) Dennis Rodman (14) Isiah Thomas (11) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–1
4 May 1 New York W 86–82 Joe Dumars (23) Dennis Rodman (17) Isiah Thomas (12) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,454 		2–2
5 May 3 @ New York L 87–94 Isiah Thomas (31) Isiah Thomas (10) Isiah Thomas (6) Madison Square Garden
19,135 		3–2
1992 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% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Aguirre 75 12 21.1 .431 .211 .687 3.1 1.7 0.68 0.15 11.3
William Bedford 32 8 11.3 .413 .000 .636 2.0 0.4 0.19 0.56 3.6
Lance Blanks 43 0 4.4 .455 .375 .727 0.5 0.4 0.33 0.02 1.5
Joe Dumars 82 82 38.9 .448 .408 .867 2.3 4.6 0.87 0.15 19.9
Gerald Henderson 8 0 7.8 .381 .600 1.000 0.8 0.6 0.38 0.00 3.0
Bill Laimbeer 81 46 27.6 .470 .376 .893 5.6 2.0 0.63 0.67 9.7
Bob McCann 26 0 5.0 .394 .000 .308 1.2 0.2 0.23 0.15 1.2
Dennis Rodman 82 80 40.3 .539 .317 .600 18.7 2.3 0.83 0.85 9.8
John Salley 72 38 24.6 .512 .000 .715 4.1 1.6 0.68 1.53 9.5
Brad Sellers 43 1 5.3 .466 .000 .769 1.0 0.3 0.02 0.23 2.4
Charles Thomas 36 0 4.3 .353 .118 .667 0.6 0.6 0.11 0.03 1.3
Isiah Thomas 78 78 37.4 .446 .291 .772 3.2 7.2 1.51 0.19 18.5
Darrell Walker 74 4 20.8 .423 .000 .619 3.2 2.8 0.85 0.24 5.2
Orlando Woolridge 82 61 25.8 .498 .111 .683 3.2 1.1 0.50 0.40 14.0

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Mark Aguirre
William Bedford
Lance Blanks
Joe Dumars
Bill Laimbeer
Bob McCann
Dennis Rodman
John Salley
Brad Sellers
Isiah Thomas
Darrell Walker
Orlando Woolridge

Awards and records

Transactions

See also

References

  1. ^ 1991-92 Detroit Pistons
  2. ^ "Report: Nuggets May Trade Woolridge to Pistons". Tampa Bay Times. August 2, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; 2 Big Trades for Pistons". The New York Times. August 14, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Suspension for Malone". The New York Times. December 17, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Hafner, Dan (December 15, 1991). "NBA ROUNDUP: Jazz Elbows the Pistons Aside". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Pistons Want Malone to Pay". Chicago Tribune. December 16, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "1991–92 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "1991–92 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Heisler, Mark (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  11. ^ "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
  12. ^ "1991–92 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  13. ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (May 6, 1992). "HOCKEY; Daly Resigns as Pistons Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  14. ^ "Daly Says Pistons Heard Enough: Pro Basketball: After Nine Seasons, He Steps Down as Coach, Saying They Need Another Voice". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 6, 1992. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  15. ^ Aldridge, David (May 6, 1992). "Daly Leaves Pistons, Keeps Options Open". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  16. ^ May 3, 1992 broadcast of The NBA on NBC
  17. ^ Brown, Clifton (May 4, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Unite to Undo Pistons". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "Knicks Win by Playing Pistons-Style Basketball". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 4, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pistons vs. Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Vecsey, George (May 29, 1992). "Sports of the Times; Good Move: Hiring Coach of Bad Boys". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  21. ^ Araton, Harvey (May 29, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Call It Daly's Passion: A New Nets Era Begins". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Hubbard, Jan (May 30, 1992). "By Hiring Daly, No One Can Laugh at Nets Now". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  23. ^ "Salley Traded to Miami Heat". United Press International. September 8, 1992. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  24. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Enough Complaints: Pistons Trade Salley". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 9, 1992. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "Richardson Traded to Pacers, Timberwolves Get Person: NBA: Former UCLA Star Will Be Reunited with Reggie Miller. Pistons Trade John Salley to the Heat". Los Angeles Times. Times Wire Services. September 9, 1992. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  26. ^ "Heat's Big Deal: 6-11 Salley; Pistons Shot-Blocker Added for Morris, Pick". Sun Sentinel. September 9, 1992. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  27. ^ "Daly Named Coach of '92 Olympic Squad: Basketball: The Pistons' Boss Will Guide the U.S. Team, Which for the First Time Will Include NBA Players". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 15, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  28. ^ Araton, Harvey (September 24, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Thomas Is Not Taking His Exclusion from Olympics Lightly". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  29. ^ Brown, Clifton (September 22, 1991). "BASKETBALL; US, in No Surprise, Will Go with the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  30. ^ Heisler, Mark (September 22, 1991). "Thomas Not Part of Best in the U.S.: Basketball: As Expected, 10-Man Olympic Squad Has Magic, Jordan and Bird--But Not Pistons' Star Guard". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
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