1989 NBA Finals
Encyclopedia
The 1989 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1988–89 NBA season. The series was a rematch of the previous year's championship round
between the Detroit Pistons
and the Los Angeles Lakers
.
During the season, the Lakers had won their division, with Magic Johnson
collecting his second MVP award. The team swept the first three playoff series (Pacific Division foes: Portland
, Seattle
, and Phoenix
), resulting in a rematch with the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. Johnson and Byron Scott
were injured, with Scott suffering a hamstring injury in practice before Game 1 and Johnson pulling a hamstring during Game 2. The Lakers had won two straight NBA championships in 1987 and 1988.
The Pistons had dominated the Eastern Conference, winning 63 games during the regular season. After sweeping the Boston Celtics
and Milwaukee Bucks
, the Pistons beat the Chicago Bulls
in six games, earning a second straight trip to the NBA Finals
. In the season before, the Lakers had beaten them in a tough, seven-game series.
The Pistons won the series in a four-game sweep, marking the first time a team (Lakers) swept the first three rounds of the playoffs, and then be swept in the finals.
For their rough physical play, and sometimes arrogant demeanor, Pistons' center Bill Laimbeer
nicknamed the team 'The Bad Boys'. The name became an unofficial 'slogan' for the Pistons throughout the next season as well.
Following the series, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
announced his retirement at 42, after 20 years with the NBA.
Pistons' guard Joe Dumars
was named MVP for the series.
Before the Lakers won in 2009
, the Pistons were the last Finals champion to have been the runner-up the previous season as they were in 1988
.
in Pontiac, Michigan
to the brand-new Palace of Auburn Hills
in Auburn Hills, Michigan
. The new arena was conceived by Pistons owner William Davidson
. The arena would consist of luxury boxes and club seating
, which added profits compared to older arenas. The Pistons would sell out all 41 games in the new arena.
The Pistons won 63 games, then a franchise record, which was highlighted by a key mid-season move. The Pistons traded former scoring champion and all-star Adrian Dantley
to the Dallas Mavericks
for another former all-star in Mark Aguirre
. The move would pay off, as Aguirre helped the Pistons win 31 of its final 47 games. The Pistons swept the Boston Celtics
and the Milwaukee Bucks
in the first two rounds, but were pushed to a Game 6 by the Chicago Bulls
in the conference finals before prevailing at the noisy Chicago Stadium
.
Prior to the season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
announced that the 1988-89 season was to be his last. Therefore his 'retirement tour' consisted of pregame tributes in every arena to pay homage to the retiring Lakers captain. The Lakers won 57 games that year, and steamrolled through the NBA finals, going 11-0 in a sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers
, Seattle SuperSonics
and Phoenix Suns
. Magic Johnson
won the MVP
award that year. Prior to the season, Lakers owner Jerry Buss
offered naming rights to The Forum, which was accepted by the Great Western Bank and subsequently renamed the arena as the Great Western Forum, which paved the way to a flurry of naming rights acquisitions in almost every sporting venue in the United States
.
suffered a severe hamstring injury in practice. He would miss at least the first two games, and his absence would especially be felt on the defensive end. Magic Johnson
had a size advantage, but was too slow to defend against the Pistons' three-headed backcourt monster of Joe Dumars
, Isiah Thomas
, and Vinnie Johnson
. Super-sub Michael Cooper would have to log more minutes than he was accustomed to, and rookie David Rivers
was inexperienced. Another option was Tony Campbell
, but he played very little during the season.
Without Scott's quick switches and help defense, the Piston guards smoked the Lakers in Game 1. Thomas had 24 points, Dumars 22, and Johnson 19. With six minutes left, Detroit led 97-79 and the final score was 109-97.
had a hot first half with 24 points (he would finish with 33) to keep Detroit close. Los Angeles held a 62-56 lead at halftime.
With about four minutes left in the third period, a major misfortune would befall the Lakers, leading 75-73. John Salley
blocked a Mychal Thompson shot, which started a Detroit fast break. Magic Johnson
dropped back to play defense, and in so doing, pulled his hamstring. Magic was visibly hurt and frustrated, and had to be coaxed into leaving the floor. Dick Stockton
, commentating for CBS
, said, "I've never seen (Magic) look like this!", referring to Magic's look of intense pain combined with resignation.
The Pistons had made the bucket on the break to tie the game at 75-75, but the Lakers, minus Johnson, charged to a 90-81 lead late in the period. In the fourth, however, the Lakers missed three easy baskets and committed an offensive foul as Detroit first tied the game, then went up 102-95. The gritty Lakers charged back and cut the lead to 106-104. The Pistons committed a 24-second violation, giving the Lakers the ball with eight seconds left.
James Worthy
, the lone Laker weapon left, drove to the basket and was fouled, giving him an opportunity to tie the game. The 1988 Finals MVP, however, missed one of two, leaving the Lakers short at 106-105. Isiah Thomas
then hit two free throws with a second remaining for the final 108-105 score.
tried to play, but the pain of his hamstring injury was just too great. He left Game 3 after just five minutes of the first quarter with the Lakers leading, 11-8.
Without Magic, the Lakers made a heroic effort. James Worthy
scored 26 points, and the 42-year old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
found the fountain of youth, contributing 24 points and 13 rebounds. Michael Cooper, the last remaining backcourt veteran, had 13 assists and 15 points. But it wasn't enough.
Dennis Rodman
, despite suffering from painful back spasms, pulled down 19 rebounds between trips to the sideline for rubdowns. But, the main effort came from the guards. Joe Dumars
scored 31, including a remarkable third quarter in which he scored 17 consecutive points (21 in all for the period). Vinnie Johnson
added 17, including 13 points in the fourth. Isiah Thomas
pitched in with 26 points and eight assists, including six and three in the final period.
The Pistons led 113-108 with 15 seconds left, when Thomas allowed A. C. Green
to tie him up and steal the ball. Thomas then fouled Lakers rookie point guard David Rivers
, who made both free throws, pulling Los Angeles to within three at 113-110 with 13 seconds left. Dumars then lost the ball out of bounds with nine seconds left, giving the Lakers a shot at the tie.
The Lakers then ran a play where Rivers got free for an open three-pointer in the corner. From about eight feet to Rivers' right, Dumars wheeled and lunged at the shot. Not only did he block it, he landed and saved the ball from going out of bounds. The Pistons then ran out the clock to close the game with a 114-110 win and got on the verge of an unexpected sweep.
admonished his lone weapon, James Worthy
, to step up his game. Worthy responded with a championship effort of 40 points on 17-of-26 field-goal shooting with Rick Mahorn
in his face every step of the way. But Worthy couldn't do it alone. The Forum
crowd was also anticipating Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
's possible curtain call. During the pre-game warmups and introductions, Kareem received several well-deserved ovations.
With Worthy playing out of his mind, the Lakers took a 35–23 lead at the end of the first period. Despite trouble at the free-throw line (11 missed), the Pistons began to claw back as Los Angeles led 55–49 at intermission.
The Pistons started fast in the third quarter, beginning with a three-point basket by Bill Laimbeer
. Mahorn then scored four quick points, and the Pistons took a 59–58 lead moments later. Dumars hit a driving bank shot, drew the foul and made the free throw, giving him 19 points on the evening. Mahorn followed that with another bucket and the Lakers called timeout. Worthy heroically led the Lakers back into a 78–76 lead at the end of the third, but they knew the Pistons were coming on.
The Pistons took control of the game in the fourth, with James Edwards
scoring particularly well. With 3:23 left and the Pistons with a 100-94 lead, the crowd rose to a standing ovation as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
left the game, more a note of thanks than a plea for a miracle. For the next two minutes, it seemed nobody wanted to hit a shot. Abdul-Jabbar re-entered the game and spun and hit a bank shot with 1:37 left, his last two NBA points, cutting the Pistons' margin to 100–96. Kareem went out of the game with 47 seconds remaining amid thunderous applause.
Laimbeer hit a jumper at the 28-second mark, and the Pistons began celebrating. Riley sent Abdul-Jabbar back in after the timeout, but Michael Cooper missed a three-pointer and Isiah Thomas
was fouled. Riley then sent Orlando Woolridge
in for "the Captain", this time for good. The hobbled Magic Johnson
came out to meet him amid the crowd's warm applause. The Pistons, in a show of sportsmanship, all came to the floor and faced the Laker bench to join in. Thomas then hit the foul shots, essentially closing out the 105–97 win and the championship. Joe Dumars
was named Finals MVP.
This was the first NBA Finals that ended in a four-game sweep since the Finals went to the 2–3–2 format in 1985.
and Hubie Brown
called the action. Stockton also narrated the season-ending documentary "Motor City Madness" for NBA Entertainment
.
That year, Pat O'Brien
filled in for Brent Musburger
for Game 2 as pre-game, half-time and post-game host as Musburger was on assignment for CBS Sports
, the same thing that happened in 1988. CBS used three sideline reporters which were O'Brien (the Pistons' sideline), Lesley Visser
(the Lakers' sideline) and James Brown
(both teams).
. The Pistons won 59 games that season, then defeated the Indiana Pacers
(3-0), New York Knicks
(4-1) and Chicago Bulls
(4-3) in the first three rounds, before overcoming the Portland Trail Blazers
4-1 in the Finals.
The Lakers earned the league's best record with a 63-19 record in the 1989-90 NBA season
, despite losing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
to retirement. However the Lakers fell to the Phoenix Suns
4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals, after which head coach Pat Riley
resigned. The Lakers did make it back to the finals in 1991
but fell to the Bulls in five games.
The Pistons and Lakers met again in the 2004 NBA Finals
. Much has changed since they last met, but they still took the personalities of their respective teams: the more physical, defensive Pistons against the finesse, offensively-minded Lakers. In the rematch, the underdog Pistons, led by Ben Wallace
, Chauncey Billups
, Richard Hamilton
, Rasheed Wallace
and Tayshaun Prince
, and coached by Larry Brown
, upset the star-studded future Hall-of-Fame Lakers team of Kobe Bryant
, Shaquille O'Neal
, Karl Malone
and Gary Payton
, and coached by Phil Jackson
, in five games.
1988 NBA Finals
The 1988 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1987–88 NBA season.One of Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley's most famous moments came when he promised the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers' 1986-87 championship parade in downtown Los Angeles...
between the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
and the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
During the season, the Lakers had won their division, with Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
collecting his second MVP award. The team swept the first three playoff series (Pacific Division foes: Portland
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, Seattle
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
, and Phoenix
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
), resulting in a rematch with the Detroit Pistons in the Finals. Johnson and Byron Scott
Byron Scott (basketball)
Byron Antom Scott is a retired American National Basketball Association player and current head coach of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He was formerly the head coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets. He attended Arizona State University, but left school in his junior year to...
were injured, with Scott suffering a hamstring injury in practice before Game 1 and Johnson pulling a hamstring during Game 2. The Lakers had won two straight NBA championships in 1987 and 1988.
The Pistons had dominated the Eastern Conference, winning 63 games during the regular season. After sweeping the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
, the Pistons beat the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in six games, earning a second straight trip to the NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
. In the season before, the Lakers had beaten them in a tough, seven-game series.
The Pistons won the series in a four-game sweep, marking the first time a team (Lakers) swept the first three rounds of the playoffs, and then be swept in the finals.
For their rough physical play, and sometimes arrogant demeanor, Pistons' center Bill Laimbeer
Bill Laimbeer
William "Bill" Laimbeer, Jr. is a retired National Basketball Association player for the Detroit Pistons. Playing at center, the 6'11" Laimbeer was a four-time All-Star and integral part of the Pistons teams that won two championships...
nicknamed the team 'The Bad Boys'. The name became an unofficial 'slogan' for the Pistons throughout the next season as well.
Following the series, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
announced his retirement at 42, after 20 years with the NBA.
Pistons' guard Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
was named MVP for the series.
Before the Lakers won in 2009
2009 NBA Finals
The 2009 NBA Finals was the National Basketball Association championship series for the 2008-09 season. The best-of-seven playoff was contested between the Los Angeles Lakers, champions of the Western Conference and defending Western Conference champions, and the Orlando Magic, champions of the...
, the Pistons were the last Finals champion to have been the runner-up the previous season as they were in 1988
1988 NBA Finals
The 1988 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1987–88 NBA season.One of Los Angeles Lakers head coach Pat Riley's most famous moments came when he promised the crowd a repeat championship during the Lakers' 1986-87 championship parade in downtown Los Angeles...
.
Background
Before the season began, the Pistons moved from the SilverdomeSilverdome
The Silverdome is an indoor sporting and entertainment venue located in Launceston, Tasmania built in 1984. The Silverdome was built at an estimated cost of A$4 million, as the Tasmanian Government "proposed a world class facility" to replace the run down velodrome in the Launceston suburb of St...
in Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
to the brand-new Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
in Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.-Economy:...
. The new arena was conceived by Pistons owner William Davidson
William Davidson
William Morse "Bill" Davidson, J. D. was an American businessman who was President, Chairman and CEO of Guardian Industries, one of the world's largest manufacturers of architectural and automotive glass...
. The arena would consist of luxury boxes and club seating
Club seating
Club Level Seating is a special section of seating in modern sports stadiums.The Club Level is usually located towards the middle of the stage of seating sections, above the lower deck but below the upper deck. They are usually right next to the Luxury Boxes, either right above, right below, or...
, which added profits compared to older arenas. The Pistons would sell out all 41 games in the new arena.
The Pistons won 63 games, then a franchise record, which was highlighted by a key mid-season move. The Pistons traded former scoring champion and all-star Adrian Dantley
Adrian Dantley
Adrian Delano Dantley is a retired American basketball player who played 15 seasons in the NBA, including seven as a member of the Utah Jazz. A forward/guard and six-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008...
to the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
for another former all-star in Mark Aguirre
Mark Aguirre
Mark Anthony Aguirre is a retired American basketball player in the National Basketball Association. Aguirre played from 1981–1994 and won two championships with the Detroit Pistons after being sent to Detroit from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Adrian Dantley...
. The move would pay off, as Aguirre helped the Pistons win 31 of its final 47 games. The Pistons swept the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and the Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. They are part of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and currently plays at the Bradley Center....
in the first two rounds, but were pushed to a Game 6 by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
in the conference finals before prevailing at the noisy Chicago Stadium
Chicago Stadium
The Chicago Stadium was an indoor sports arena and theater in Chicago. It opened in 1929, and closed in 1994.-History:The Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL from 1929–1994 and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA from 1967–1994....
.
Prior to the season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
announced that the 1988-89 season was to be his last. Therefore his 'retirement tour' consisted of pregame tributes in every arena to pay homage to the retiring Lakers captain. The Lakers won 57 games that year, and steamrolled through the NBA finals, going 11-0 in a sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
and Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
won the MVP
NBA Most Valuable Player Award
The National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player is an annual National Basketball Association award given since the 1955–56 NBA season. The winner receives the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, which is named in honor of the first commissioner of the NBA who served from 1946 until his retirement...
award that year. Prior to the season, Lakers owner Jerry Buss
Jerry Buss
Gerald Hatten "Jerry" Buss Ph.D., M.S. is an American businessman, real estate investor, and a former chemist. He is the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team along with other professional sports franchises in Southern California...
offered naming rights to The Forum, which was accepted by the Great Western Bank and subsequently renamed the arena as the Great Western Forum, which paved the way to a flurry of naming rights acquisitions in almost every sporting venue in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Game 1
Just before Game 1, Lakers guard Byron ScottByron Scott (basketball)
Byron Antom Scott is a retired American National Basketball Association player and current head coach of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He was formerly the head coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets. He attended Arizona State University, but left school in his junior year to...
suffered a severe hamstring injury in practice. He would miss at least the first two games, and his absence would especially be felt on the defensive end. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
had a size advantage, but was too slow to defend against the Pistons' three-headed backcourt monster of Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
, Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
, and Vinnie Johnson
Vinnie Johnson
Vincent "Vinnie" Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player and a key player as sixth man for the Detroit Pistons during the team's NBA championships of 1989 and 1990.-College basketball career:...
. Super-sub Michael Cooper would have to log more minutes than he was accustomed to, and rookie David Rivers
David Rivers
David Lee Rivers is a retired American basketball player. An explosive point guard, he reached star status in the Euroleague, mostly playing for Olympiacos Piraeus under coach Dusan Ivkovic....
was inexperienced. Another option was Tony Campbell
Tony Campbell
Anthony Campbell is a retired American NBA basketball player.Campbell played high school basketball at Teaneck High School in Teaneck. A 6'7" small forward out of Ohio State University, Campbell was selected 20th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1984 NBA Draft...
, but he played very little during the season.
Without Scott's quick switches and help defense, the Piston guards smoked the Lakers in Game 1. Thomas had 24 points, Dumars 22, and Johnson 19. With six minutes left, Detroit led 97-79 and the final score was 109-97.
Game 2
The short-handed Lakers snapped right back in Game 2, pounding the boards and taking a strong first-quarter lead. Joe DumarsJoe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
had a hot first half with 24 points (he would finish with 33) to keep Detroit close. Los Angeles held a 62-56 lead at halftime.
With about four minutes left in the third period, a major misfortune would befall the Lakers, leading 75-73. John Salley
John Salley
John Thomas "Spider" Salley is a retired American professional basketball player, actor and talk show host. He was the first player in NBA history to play on three different championship-winning franchises....
blocked a Mychal Thompson shot, which started a Detroit fast break. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
dropped back to play defense, and in so doing, pulled his hamstring. Magic was visibly hurt and frustrated, and had to be coaxed into leaving the floor. Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
, commentating for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, said, "I've never seen (Magic) look like this!", referring to Magic's look of intense pain combined with resignation.
The Pistons had made the bucket on the break to tie the game at 75-75, but the Lakers, minus Johnson, charged to a 90-81 lead late in the period. In the fourth, however, the Lakers missed three easy baskets and committed an offensive foul as Detroit first tied the game, then went up 102-95. The gritty Lakers charged back and cut the lead to 106-104. The Pistons committed a 24-second violation, giving the Lakers the ball with eight seconds left.
James Worthy
James Worthy
James Ager Worthy is a retired Hall of Fame American college and professional basketball player. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion...
, the lone Laker weapon left, drove to the basket and was fouled, giving him an opportunity to tie the game. The 1988 Finals MVP, however, missed one of two, leaving the Lakers short at 106-105. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
then hit two free throws with a second remaining for the final 108-105 score.
Game 3
The Pistons had a 2-0 series lead, but knew it would be tough going in L.A. Magic JohnsonMagic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
tried to play, but the pain of his hamstring injury was just too great. He left Game 3 after just five minutes of the first quarter with the Lakers leading, 11-8.
Without Magic, the Lakers made a heroic effort. James Worthy
James Worthy
James Ager Worthy is a retired Hall of Fame American college and professional basketball player. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion...
scored 26 points, and the 42-year old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
found the fountain of youth, contributing 24 points and 13 rebounds. Michael Cooper, the last remaining backcourt veteran, had 13 assists and 15 points. But it wasn't enough.
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Keith Rodman is a retired American Hall of Fame professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, he was nicknamed "Dennis the Menace" and "The...
, despite suffering from painful back spasms, pulled down 19 rebounds between trips to the sideline for rubdowns. But, the main effort came from the guards. Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
scored 31, including a remarkable third quarter in which he scored 17 consecutive points (21 in all for the period). Vinnie Johnson
Vinnie Johnson
Vincent "Vinnie" Johnson is a retired American professional basketball player and a key player as sixth man for the Detroit Pistons during the team's NBA championships of 1989 and 1990.-College basketball career:...
added 17, including 13 points in the fourth. Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
pitched in with 26 points and eight assists, including six and three in the final period.
The Pistons led 113-108 with 15 seconds left, when Thomas allowed A. C. Green
A. C. Green
A.C. Green, Jr., is a retired American NBA basketball player who played in more consecutive games than any other player in NBA and ABA history. With 1,192 straight games played, he earned the nickname "Iron Man". He played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat...
to tie him up and steal the ball. Thomas then fouled Lakers rookie point guard David Rivers
David Rivers
David Lee Rivers is a retired American basketball player. An explosive point guard, he reached star status in the Euroleague, mostly playing for Olympiacos Piraeus under coach Dusan Ivkovic....
, who made both free throws, pulling Los Angeles to within three at 113-110 with 13 seconds left. Dumars then lost the ball out of bounds with nine seconds left, giving the Lakers a shot at the tie.
The Lakers then ran a play where Rivers got free for an open three-pointer in the corner. From about eight feet to Rivers' right, Dumars wheeled and lunged at the shot. Not only did he block it, he landed and saved the ball from going out of bounds. The Pistons then ran out the clock to close the game with a 114-110 win and got on the verge of an unexpected sweep.
Game 4
With the Lakers' backs to the wall, coach Pat RileyPat Riley
Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams...
admonished his lone weapon, James Worthy
James Worthy
James Ager Worthy is a retired Hall of Fame American college and professional basketball player. Named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, "Big Game James" was a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion...
, to step up his game. Worthy responded with a championship effort of 40 points on 17-of-26 field-goal shooting with Rick Mahorn
Rick Mahorn
Derrick Allen Mahorn is a retired American NBA basketball player who, at 6'10", played power forward and center...
in his face every step of the way. But Worthy couldn't do it alone. The Forum
The Forum (Inglewood, California)
The Forum is an indoor arena, in Inglewood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. From 2000 to 2010, it was owned by the Faithful Central Bible Church, which occasionally used it for church services, while also leasing the building for sporting events, concerts and other events.Along with Madison...
crowd was also anticipating Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
's possible curtain call. During the pre-game warmups and introductions, Kareem received several well-deserved ovations.
With Worthy playing out of his mind, the Lakers took a 35–23 lead at the end of the first period. Despite trouble at the free-throw line (11 missed), the Pistons began to claw back as Los Angeles led 55–49 at intermission.
The Pistons started fast in the third quarter, beginning with a three-point basket by Bill Laimbeer
Bill Laimbeer
William "Bill" Laimbeer, Jr. is a retired National Basketball Association player for the Detroit Pistons. Playing at center, the 6'11" Laimbeer was a four-time All-Star and integral part of the Pistons teams that won two championships...
. Mahorn then scored four quick points, and the Pistons took a 59–58 lead moments later. Dumars hit a driving bank shot, drew the foul and made the free throw, giving him 19 points on the evening. Mahorn followed that with another bucket and the Lakers called timeout. Worthy heroically led the Lakers back into a 78–76 lead at the end of the third, but they knew the Pistons were coming on.
The Pistons took control of the game in the fourth, with James Edwards
James Edwards
James Edwards may refer to:* James B. Edwards, US politician* James Edwards , US film actor* James Edwards , former NBA basketballer*James Edwards * James Bevan Edwards, UK politician and army general...
scoring particularly well. With 3:23 left and the Pistons with a 100-94 lead, the crowd rose to a standing ovation as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
left the game, more a note of thanks than a plea for a miracle. For the next two minutes, it seemed nobody wanted to hit a shot. Abdul-Jabbar re-entered the game and spun and hit a bank shot with 1:37 left, his last two NBA points, cutting the Pistons' margin to 100–96. Kareem went out of the game with 47 seconds remaining amid thunderous applause.
Laimbeer hit a jumper at the 28-second mark, and the Pistons began celebrating. Riley sent Abdul-Jabbar back in after the timeout, but Michael Cooper missed a three-pointer and Isiah Thomas
Isiah Thomas
Isiah Lord Thomas III , nicknamed "Zeke",is the men's basketball coach for the FIU Golden Panthers, and a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association from 1981 until 1994. He led the "Bad Boys" to the NBA...
was fouled. Riley then sent Orlando Woolridge
Orlando Woolridge
Orlando Vernada Woolridge is a former professional basketball player in the NBA.- Early life and education :...
in for "the Captain", this time for good. The hobbled Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
came out to meet him amid the crowd's warm applause. The Pistons, in a show of sportsmanship, all came to the floor and faced the Laker bench to join in. Thomas then hit the foul shots, essentially closing out the 105–97 win and the championship. Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars
Joe Dumars III , nicknamed Joe D, is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, and currently the Detroit Pistons' President of Basketball Operations....
was named Finals MVP.
This was the first NBA Finals that ended in a four-game sweep since the Finals went to the 2–3–2 format in 1985.
Series summary
| Game | Date | Home Team | Result | Road Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1: | Tuesday, June 6 | Detroit Pistons | 109-97 (1-0) | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Game 2: | Thursday, June 8 | Detroit Pistons | 108-105 (2-0) | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Game 3: | Sunday, June 11 | Los Angeles Lakers | 110-114 (0-3) | Detroit Pistons |
| Game 4: | Tuesday, June 13 | Los Angeles Lakers | 97-105 (0-4) | Detroit Pistons |
Team rosters
Television coverage
This series was aired on CBS. Dick StocktonDick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
and Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
called the action. Stockton also narrated the season-ending documentary "Motor City Madness" for NBA Entertainment
NBA Entertainment
NBA Entertainment is the production arm of the National Basketball Association and produces numerous NBA-related films including team championship videos and blooper and entertainment reels. It was previously associated with CBS/Fox Video, but now distributes its films through Warner Bros....
.
That year, Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (television)
Pat O'Brien is currently a radio host with Fox Sports Radio as well as an author. He is best known for his time as a sportscaster with CBS Sports and as anchor/host of Access Hollywood and The Insider .O'Brien covered five Olympic Games, two for CBS...
filled in for Brent Musburger
Brent Musburger
Brent Woody Musburger is an American sportscaster for the ESPN and ABC television networks. Formerly with CBS Sports and one of the original members of their legendary program The NFL Today, Musburger has covered NASCAR, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball games. Musburger has also served as a...
for Game 2 as pre-game, half-time and post-game host as Musburger was on assignment for CBS Sports
1989 College World Series
The 1989 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from June 2 to June 10. The forty-third tournament's champion was Wichita State University, coached by Gene Stephenson...
, the same thing that happened in 1988. CBS used three sideline reporters which were O'Brien (the Pistons' sideline), Lesley Visser
Lesley Visser
Lesley Candace Visser is an American sportscaster, radio personality, and sportswriter. Visser is the first female NFL analyst on TV, and the only sportscaster in history, male or female, who has worked on Final Four, NBA Finals, World Series, Triple Crown, Monday Night Football, the Olympics, the...
(the Lakers' sideline) and James Brown
James Brown (TV personality)
James Brown , commonly called "J.B.", is an American sports announcer known for being the host of The NFL Today on CBS and Inside the NFL on Showtime. He is the former host of the FOX network's NFL pregame show, Fox NFL Sunday.-Early life:Born on February 25, 1951 in Washington, D.C. to John and...
(both teams).
Aftermath
The Pistons would repeat as champions in 19901990 NBA Finals
The 1990 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1989-90 NBA season. The series pitted the Detroit Pistons against the Portland Trail Blazers...
. The Pistons won 59 games that season, then defeated the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
(3-0), New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(4-1) and Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
(4-3) in the first three rounds, before overcoming the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
4-1 in the Finals.
The Lakers earned the league's best record with a 63-19 record in the 1989-90 NBA season
1989-90 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers*Rookie of the Year: David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs*Defensive Player of the Year: Dennis Rodman, Detroit Pistons...
, despite losing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a retired American professional basketball player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, with 38,387 points. During his career with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969 to 1989, Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships and a record six regular season...
to retirement. However the Lakers fell to the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals, after which head coach Pat Riley
Pat Riley
Patrick James "Pat" Riley is an American professional basketball executive, and a retired coach and player in the NBA. Currently, he is team president of the Miami Heat. Widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time, Riley has served as the head coach of five championship teams...
resigned. The Lakers did make it back to the finals in 1991
1991 NBA Finals
The 1991 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 1990–91 NBA season. It was also the first NBA Finals broadcast by NBC after 17 years with CBS....
but fell to the Bulls in five games.
The Pistons and Lakers met again in the 2004 NBA Finals
2004 NBA Finals
The 2004 NBA Finals was the championship round of the 2003–04 National Basketball Association season. The Finals were between the Los Angeles Lakers of the Western Conference and the Detroit Pistons of the Eastern Conference; the Lakers held home court advantage...
. Much has changed since they last met, but they still took the personalities of their respective teams: the more physical, defensive Pistons against the finesse, offensively-minded Lakers. In the rematch, the underdog Pistons, led by Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace
Ben Camey Wallace is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. A native of Alabama, Wallace attended Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and signed with the Washington Bullets as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
, Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Ray Billups is an American professional basketball point guard for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association . He has also played for Team USA. Billups won the NBA Finals MVP in 2004, helping the Detroit Pistons beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the Finals, and was given the...
, Richard Hamilton
Richard Hamilton (basketball)
Richard "Rip" Hamilton is an American basketball player who currently plays for the Detroit Pistons. Hamilton is 6'7" tall, weighs 193 lbs , and plays shooting guard. He currently is the Pistons' team captain....
, Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Wallace
Rasheed Abdul Wallace is a retired American professional basketball power forward and center who played from 1995 to 2010 in the National Basketball Association...
and Tayshaun Prince
Tayshaun Prince
Tayshaun Durell Prince is an American basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association. Prince is a small forward, listed at and . A graduate of Dominguez High School and the University of Kentucky, Prince was drafted in the first round by the...
, and coached by Larry Brown
Larry Brown (basketball)
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown is an American basketball coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the National Basketball Association's Charlotte Bobcats....
, upset the star-studded future Hall-of-Fame Lakers team of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . Bryant enjoyed a successful high school basketball career at Lower Merion High School, where he was recognized as the top high school...
, Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
, Karl Malone
Karl Malone
Karl Anthony Malone , nicknamed "The Mailman", is a retired American professional basketball power forward who spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association . Malone spent his first 18 seasons with the Jazz and formed a formidable duo with his teammate...
and Gary Payton
Gary Payton
Gary Dwayne Payton is a former American professional basketball point guard. He is best known for his 13-year tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, and holds Seattle franchise records in points, assists, and steals...
, and coached by Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson
Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson is a retired American professional basketball coach and player. Jackson is widely considered one of the greatest coaches in the history of the National Basketball Association . His reputation was established as head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 through 1998;...
, in five games.