Just a week following the air date of this ESPN NBA Today segment, the 1990-91 Detroit Pistons embarked on a roller coaster ride that’d make Cedar Point jealous. Following a 13-2 start, the Pistons lost nine of their first 12 in December. Then, the team went 17-2 between Christmas and February first. Lastly, with 1990 Finals MVP Isiah Thomas succumbing to wrist surgery on January 29, Detroit closed out the regular season going just 17-18 down the stretch.
While Thomas would curtail his rehabilitation to return to the lineup in time for the playoffs, the Pistons’ hopes for a three-peat appeared dead on arrival. After being pushed to the limit in the first round by a 43-win Atlanta Hawks contingent, the Pistons narrowly slipped by a decrepit Boston Celtics team en route to a final rematch with the Chicago Bulls. There was little doubt as to who was in the driver’s seat this time around. The Bulls swept the Pistons in four games, effectively putting an end to the Bad Boys era or Pistons basketball.
Sports Illustrated Feature on the Pistons’ Troubles: https://vault.si.com/vault/1991/03/18/out-of-sync-with-isiah-thomas-hurt-and-other-players-also-dealing-with-injuries-detroit-is-struggling
Full NBA Today episode via Mike Werstlein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRzpSKzyvT8&ab_channel=MikeWerstlein
2 Comments
If they don't" run into a Jordan lead Bulls Dynasty be in the making in the Eastern Conference" they probably make the NBA finals for a fourth season in a row
Zeke's wrist injury really sunk the Pistons chances that season, unfortunate indeed.