1992–93 Detroit Pistons season

1992–93 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachRon Rothstein
General managerBilly McKinney
Owner(s)William Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record40–42 (.488)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Central)
Conference: 10th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
PASS Sports
RadioWWJ
< 1991–92 1993–94 >

The 1992–93 NBA season was the Detroit Pistons' 45th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th season in the city of Detroit.[1] During the off-season, the Pistons signed free agent Terry Mills,[2][3][4] and acquired Olden Polynice from the Los Angeles Clippers.[5][6][7] Under new head coach Ron Rothstein,[8][9][10] the Pistons years of battle would catch up with them, as they lost nine of their first eleven games. However, they would win ten of their next eleven games to climb back into playoff connection, but then slip below .500 holding a 21–29 record at the All-Star break.[11]

At mid-season, the team traded Orlando Woolridge to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for All-Star guard Alvin Robertson.[12][13][14][15] After posting many winning and losing streaks throughout the entire season, the Pistons missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years, finishing in sixth place in the Central Division with a 40–42 record.[16]

Joe Dumars led the team in scoring averaging 23.5 points per game, and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Isiah Thomas provided the team with 17.6 points, 8.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game. In addition, Mills averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while Mark Aguirre contributed 9.9 points per game off the bench, but only played 51 games due to injuries and weight problems,[17][18] and Dennis Rodman averaged 7.5 points, and led the league with 18.3 rebounds per game.[19]

Dumars and Thomas were both selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah, which would be Thomas's final All-Star appearance,[20][21][22][23] and Dumars and Rodman were both named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team; Rodman also finished in fourth place in Defensive Player of the Year voting.[24][25]

However, Rodman's bizarre behavior off the court was a great concern as he was involved in several off-the-court incidents, including a suicide attempt.[26][27][28][29] Following the season, he was traded to the San Antonio Spurs after seven seasons in Detroit,[30][31][32][33][34] while Aguirre signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers,[18][35][36] and Rothstein was fired as head coach after just one season with the Pistons.[37][38][39]

Draft picks

Main article: 1992 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 19 Don MacLean PF  United States UCLA

Roster

1992–93 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
G/F 24 Aguirre, Mark 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 232 lb (105 kg) 1959–12–10 DePaul
G 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
G 25 Glass, Gerald 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 221 lb (100 kg) 1967–11–12 Mississippi
C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–05–19 Notre Dame
F 6 Mills, Terry 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–12–21 Michigan
F 35 Morris, Isaiah 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 219 lb (99 kg) 1969–04–02 Arkansas
G 23 Newbern, Melvin 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1967–06–11 Minnesota
C 34 Polynice, Olden 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1964–11–21 Virginia
F 42 Randall, Mark 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1967–09–30 Kansas
G/F 3 Robertson, Alvin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1962–07–22 Arkansas
F 10 Rodman, Dennis 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1961–05–13 SE Oklahoma State
G 11 Thomas, Isiah 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–04–30 Indiana
G 20 Young, Danny 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1962–07–26 Wake Forest
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (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 57 25 .695 — 31–10 26–15 19–9
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 54 28 .659 3 35–6 19–22 22–6
x-Charlotte Hornets 44 38 .537 13 22–19 22–19 12–16
x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 14 25–16 18–23 12–16
x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 16 27–14 14–27 11–17
Detroit Pistons 40 42 .488 17 28–13 12–29 12–16
Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 .341 29 18–23 10–31 10–18
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-New York Knicks 60 22 .732 –
2 y-Chicago Bulls 57 25 .695 3
3 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 54 28 .659 6
4 x-Boston Celtics 48 34 .585 12
5 x-Charlotte Hornets 44 38 .537 16
6 x-New Jersey Nets 43 39 .524 17
7 x-Atlanta Hawks 43 39 .524 17
8 x-Indiana Pacers 41 41 .500 19
9 Orlando Magic 41 41 .500 19
10 Detroit Pistons 40 42 .488 20
11 Miami Heat 36 46 .439 24
12 Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 .341 32
13 Philadelphia 76ers 26 56 .317 36
14 Washington Bullets 22 60 .268 38
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

1992-93 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 — 2–2 3–2 2–2 0–5 1–1 2–0 2–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–2 2–0 1–3 2–2 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2
Boston 2–2 — 3–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 2–2 2–0 4–0 1–4 3–2 4–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–1
Charlotte 2–3 1–3 — 2–3 1–3 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 0–2 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 3–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Chicago 2–2 3–1 3–2 — 2–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 5–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 4–1 2–0 4–0 1–3 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 5–0 1–3 3–1 3–2 — 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 2–2 4–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 — 1–5 1–1 0–4 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 1–4 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–4 0–4 0–4 0–5 1–3 0–5 1–1
Denver 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 5–1 — 1–1 3–1 2–3 1–1 2–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–3 3–1 1–4 1–3 2–3 2–0
Detroit 3–2 3–1 1–4 1–3 2–3 1–1 1–1 — 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 3–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0
Golden State 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 2–0 — 2–2 0–2 2–3 1–4 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 0–5 4–1 3–1 1–4 3–1 1–1
Houston 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 3–2 1–1 2–2 — 2–0 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–2 1–3 4–0 4–1 1–3 4–1 1–1
Indiana 2–2 2–2 5–0 0–5 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–0 0–2 — 1–1 1–1 2–2 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 3–2 0–4 1–1 — 3–2 0–2 2–0 4–0 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 3–2 0–4 1–4 2–2 2–0
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 1–1 4–1 1–3 1–1 2–3 — 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–5 3–2 3–2 2–2 1–4 1–3 2–0
Miami 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–2 2–0 2–0 — 2–2 2–0 2–3 0–5 3–2 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–3
Milwaukee 2–3 2–2 1–3 1–4 1–4 2–0 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–2 0–2 1–1 2–2 — 1–1 0–4 1–3 2–2 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 4–1 2–3 1–1 1–3 2–4 1–1 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 — 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–4 0–4 1–4 1–1
New Jersey 3–1 0–4 2–2 0–4 2–2 2–0 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 2–0 3–2 4–0 1–1 — 1–3 3–2 3–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1
New York 2–2 4–1 3–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 0–2 2–0 5–0 3–1 2–0 3–1 — 2–2 5–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–1
Orlando 3–1 2–3 1–3 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–3 2–2 2–0 2–3 2–2 — 3–2 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0
Philadelphia 1–3 1–4 0–4 2–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–1 0–2 3–1 2–2 2–0 2–3 0–5 2–3 — 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 3–1
Phoenix 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 4–1 2–2 1–1 2–3 5–0 2–0 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 — 3–2 5–0 3–1 2–3 3–1 2–0
Portland 1–1 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 5–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–3 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–3 — 5–0 2–2 2–3 2–2 1–1
Sacramento 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 1–3 0–2 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 2–3 1–1 1–1 3–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–5 0–5 — 2–2 1–4 2–2 1–1
San Antonio 0–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 1–4 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 0–2 2–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 — 3–1 3–3 1–1
Seattle 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–0 4–1 3–1 0–2 4–1 4–1 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 3–2 4–1 1–3 — 2–2 2–0
Utah 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–0 1–3 1–4 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–3 2–2 2–2 3–3 2–2 — 1–1
Washington 2–2 1–4 0–4 0–4 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 1–1 1–1 1–3 0–2 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 1–4 1–4 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 —

Game log

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
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Joe Dumars 77 77 40.2 .466 .375 .864 1.9 4.0 1.0 0.1 23.5
Isiah Thomas 79 79 37.0 .418 .308 .737 2.9 8.5 1.6 0.2 17.6
Terry Mills 81 46 27.0 .461 .278 .791 5.8 1.4 0.5 0.6 14.8
Orlando Woolridge 50 47 29.5 .479 .000 .673 3.5 2.2 0.5 0.5 13.1
Mark Aguirre 51 15 20.7 .443 .361 .767 3.0 2.1 0.3 0.1 9.9
Alvin Robertson 30 22 31.4 .434 .343 .690 4.4 3.6 2.2 0.3 9.3
Bill Laimbeer 79 41 24.5 .509 .370 .894 5.3 1.6 0.6 0.5 8.7
Dennis Rodman 62 55 38.9 .427 .205 .534 18.3 1.6 0.8 0.7 7.5
Olden Polynice 67 18 19.4 .490 .000 .465 6.2 0.4 0.5 0.3 7.3
Gerald Glass 56 5 13.9 .429 .226 .636 2.5 1.2 0.5 0.3 5.3
Melvin Newbern 33 1 9.4 .372 .125 .567 1.1 1.7 0.7 0.0 3.6
Danny Young 65 2 12.9 .413 .324 .875 0.7 1.8 0.5 0.1 2.9
Mark Randall 35 0 6.9 .506 .143 .615 1.6 0.3 0.1 0.1 2.8
Isaiah Morris 25 0 4.1 .456 .750 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.0 2.2
Jeff Ruland 11 0 5.0 .455 .500 1.6 0.2 0.2 0.0 1.1
Darrell Walker 9 2 16.0 .158 .000 .333 2.1 1.0 1.1 0.0 0.9

Player Statistics Citation:[19]

Awards and records

Transactions

References

  1. ^ 1992-93 Detroit Pistons
  2. ^ "Miscellany". Los Angeles Times. September 16, 1992. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  3. ^ "Family Man Long Hopes Heat Shares Sense of Value". Sun Sentinel. September 20, 1992. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; A Summit Conference Between Nets and Mills". The New York Times. September 26, 1992. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Araton, Harvey (June 25, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Draft Sticks to Program Until the 5th Pick, That Is". The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 25, 1992). "Clippers Go Forward to MacLean: NBA Draft: Polynice Is Traded to..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  7. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 17, 1992). "Polynice's Mutual Admiration Society: Pro Basketball: The Former Clipper Returns as a Piston, and Will Be Received by a Fan Club That Gets as Much as It Gives". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  8. ^ "Rothstein to Be Named Pistons' Head Coach". United Press International. May 20, 1992. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Three NBA Teams Decide on Coaches: Basketball: Pistons Expected to Hire Rothstein. Nuggets Take Issel, and Rockets Stay with Tomjanovich". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 21, 1992. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  10. ^ "Around the NBA". The Washington Post. May 22, 1992. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  11. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "Pistons Make Last-Minute Trade, But Rodman Stays Put". United Press International. February 25, 1993. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  13. ^ Brown, Clifton (February 26, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; The Pistons Make a Deal, But It's Not for Rodman". The New York Times. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  14. ^ "Pistons Trade Woolridge to Bucks for Robertson as Deadline Passes". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 26, 1993. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  15. ^ "Rodman, Jackson Stay, But Two Trades Made". The Washington Post. February 26, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  16. ^ "1992–93 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  17. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Hardaway's Magic Number Is 65 Million, as in Dollars". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 8, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  18. ^ a b Baker, Chris (October 25, 1993). "Clippers Sign Grant and Contact Aguirre: Pro Basketball: The Backup Guard Gets Two-Year Contract. Former Piston Forward Might Be the Next to Join the Team". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  19. ^ a b "1992–93 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "Manning Gets All-Star Berth: Pro Basketball: He Is Selected for the First Time. The Lakers and Celtics Are Shut Out for the First Time Since Game Began". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 10, 1993. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  21. ^ Sorensen, Mike (February 19, 1993). "Life at the Top of the NBA Has Put Jordan Under Considerable Scrutiny". Deseret News. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "1993 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  23. ^ "1993 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 132 (OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  24. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: PRO BASKETBALL; Hakeem for the Defense". The New York Times. May 15, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "1992–93 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  26. ^ "BASKETBALL; A Troubled Rodman Visited by a Favored Ex-Coach". The New York Times. February 13, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  27. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Rodman Gets One-Game Ban". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 11, 1993. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  28. ^ Baker, Chris (October 2, 1993). "Spurs Give Rodman Fresh Start: Pro Basketball: Pistons Get Sean Elliott in Trade for the NBA Leader in Rebounds and Problems". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  29. ^ "Bad As I Wanna Be; By Dennis Rodman with Tim Keown; Chapter One: New and Improved". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Detroit Trades Rodman to San Antonio for Elliott". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 2, 1993. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  31. ^ Baker, Chris (October 2, 1993). "Spurs Give Rodman Fresh Start: Pro Basketball: Pistons Get Sean Elliott in Trade for the NBA Leader in Rebounds and Problems". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  32. ^ "Pistons Deal Rodman to Spurs: Basketball: They Site Need for "a New Start" and Give Up One of NBA's Top Rebounders, But Get an All-Star Player in Elliott". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 2, 1993. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  33. ^ "Pistons Deal Rodman to Spurs". The Washington Post. October 2, 1993. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  34. ^ "The "Worm" Turns to Spurs; Deal Finally Done". Deseret News. Associated Press. October 2, 1993. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  35. ^ Baker, Chris (October 26, 1993). "Aguirre Becomes a Clipper Reserve: Pro Basketball: The Forward Says He Is Happy with New Role. Weiss Expects No Problems". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  36. ^ Baker, Chris (November 6, 1993). "Aguirre Is on the Mark at the Buzzer: Pro Basketball: Newest Clipper Hits Wide-Open Three-Pointer to Give Los Angeles a 97-95 Victory Over Portland". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  37. ^ "Pistons Fire Coach Rothstein". United Press International. April 26, 1993. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Pistons Dismiss Rothstein as Coach". The New York Times. April 27, 1993. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  39. ^ "Pistons Fire Rothstein After Missing Playoffs". Los Angeles Times. Staff and Wire Reports. April 27, 1993. Retrieved May 2, 2023.