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]
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
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
- Injured
|
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
- z - clinched conference title
- y - clinched division title
- x - clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
edit
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 |
—
|
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011)
1992 playoff game log
|
First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
|
1992 schedule
|
Player
|
GP
|
GS
|
MPG
|
FG%
|
3P%
|
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
|
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011)
- ^ 1991-92 Detroit Pistons
- ^ "Report: Nuggets May Trade Woolridge to Pistons". Tampa Bay Times. August 2, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; 2 Big Trades for Pistons". The New York Times. August 14, 1991. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Suspension for Malone". The New York Times. December 17, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ Hafner, Dan (December 15, 1991). "NBA ROUNDUP: Jazz Elbows the Pistons Aside". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "Pistons Want Malone to Pay". Chicago Tribune. December 16, 1991. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "1991–92 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ "1991–92 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Heisler, Mark (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ "1991–92 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
- ^ Thomas Jr., Robert Mcg. (May 6, 1992). "HOCKEY; Daly Resigns as Pistons Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Aldridge, David (May 6, 1992). "Daly Leaves Pistons, Keeps Options Open". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ May 3, 1992 broadcast of The NBA on NBC
- ^ Brown, Clifton (May 4, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Unite to Undo Pistons". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "Knicks Win by Playing Pistons-Style Basketball". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 4, 1992. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ "1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Pistons vs. Knicks". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- ^ Vecsey, George (May 29, 1992). "Sports of the Times; Good Move: Hiring Coach of Bad Boys". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Araton, Harvey (May 29, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Call It Daly's Passion: A New Nets Era Begins". The New York Times. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ Hubbard, Jan (May 30, 1992). "By Hiring Daly, No One Can Laugh at Nets Now". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "Salley Traded to Miami Heat". United Press International. September 8, 1992. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Enough Complaints: Pistons Trade Salley". The New York Times. Associated Press. September 9, 1992. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Heat's Big Deal: 6-11 Salley; Pistons Shot-Blocker Added for Morris, Pick". Sun Sentinel. September 9, 1992. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Araton, Harvey (September 24, 1991). "BASKETBALL; Thomas Is Not Taking His Exclusion from Olympics Lightly". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Clifton (September 22, 1991). "BASKETBALL; US, in No Surprise, Will Go with the Best". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
- ^ 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.