1991–92 Detroit Pistons season
NBA professional basketball team season
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
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 /0
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
Regular season
Season standings
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot
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
This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it .
(January 2011 )
Playoffs
1992 playoff game log
First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
1992 schedule
Player statistics
Season
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
Playoffs
Awards and records
Transactions
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adding to it .
(January 2011 )
See also
References
^ 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 .
Founded in 1937
Formerly the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1937–1948) and the Fort Wayne Pistons (1948–1957)
Based in Detroit, Michigan
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