1993–94 Detroit Pistons season

The 1993–94 NBA season was the Pistons' 46th season in the National Basketball Association, and 37th season in the city of Detroit.[1] In the 1993 NBA draft, the Pistons selected Lindsey Hunter out of Jackson State with the tenth overall pick, and selected Allan Houston from the University of Tennessee with the eleventh overall pick.[2][3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the Pistons acquired Sean Elliott from the San Antonio Spurs,[7][8][9][10] signed free agent Greg Anderson, and hired Don Chaney as head coach.[11]

1993–94 Detroit Pistons season
Head coachDon Chaney
OwnersWilliam Davidson
ArenaThe Palace of Auburn Hills
Results
Record20–62 (.244)
PlaceDivision: 6th (Central)
Conference: 14th (Eastern)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionWKBD-TV
PASS Sports
RadioWWJ
< 1992–93 1994–95 >

Although the Pistons started out 5–4 without Alvin Robertson, who was out with a back injury and then traded to the Denver Nuggets in November.[12][13] The Pistons continued to struggle as Bill Laimbeer retired after playing just eleven games after an ugly practice scuffle with Isiah Thomas.[14][15][16] Laimbeer averaged 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season. Things got worse as the team suffered a 14-game losing streak between December and January, and held an 11–37 record at the All-Star break.[17] At midseason, Olden Polynice was traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Pete Chilcutt,[18][19][20] as the Pistons lost their final 13 games of the season, finishing tied for last place in the Central Division with a 20–62 record,[21] their worst record since 1979–80.

Joe Dumars led the team in scoring with 20.4 points per game, while Terry Mills averaged 17.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and Elliott provided the team with 12.1 points per game. Hunter contributed 10.3 points, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, and was named the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, while Houston provided with 8.5 points per game off the bench, and Anderson averaged 6.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.[22]

This season marked an end of an era as Thomas retired, ending his thirteen-year career with the Pistons.[23][24][25][26] In his final season, Thomas averaged 14.8 points and 6.9 assists per game in 58 games. His final game was a 132–104 home loss to the Orlando Magic on April 19, 1994, where he ruptured his Achilles tendon, which forced him to retire.[27][28][29] Also following the season, Elliott would return to his former team, the San Antonio Spurs after playing just one season with the Pistons,[30][31] while Anderson signed with the Atlanta Hawks, and Chilcutt signed with the Houston Rockets.

Draft picks

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Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 10 Lindsey Hunter PG   United States Jackson State
1 11 Allan Houston SG   United States Tennessee

Roster

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1993–94 Detroit Pistons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
F/C 33 Anderson, Greg 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1964–06–22 Houston
F 34 Chilcutt, Pete 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1968–09–14 North Carolina
F 51 Coleman, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1961–11–14 Maryland
G 4 Dumars, Joe 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1963–05–24 McNeese State
F 32 Elliott, Sean 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–02–02 Arizona
G 20 Houston, Allan 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1971–04–20 Tennessee
G 1 Hunter, Lindsey 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1970–12–03 Jackson State
F/C 23 Jones, Charles 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1957–04–03 Albany State
C 40 Laimbeer, Bill 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1957–05–19 Notre Dame
F 30 Liberty, Marcus 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1968–10–27 Illinois
G 2 Macon, Mark 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1969–04–14 Temple
F 6 Mills, Terry 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1967–12–21 Michigan
G 23 Moore, Tracy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1965–12–28 Tulsa
G 11 Thomas, Isiah   6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1961–04–30 Indiana
F 12 Wood, David 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 227 lb (103 kg) 1964–11–30 Nevada
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster Notes

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Regular season

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Season standings

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W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Atlanta Hawks 57 25 .695 36–5 21–20 21–7
x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 2 31–10 24–17 21–7
x-Indiana Pacers 47 35 .573 10 29–12 18–23 15–13
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 10 31–10 16–25 16–12
Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 16 28–13 13–28 12–16
Detroit Pistons 20 62 .244 37 10–31 10–31 4–24
Milwaukee Bucks 20 62 .244 37 11–30 9–32 9–19
#
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Atlanta Hawks 57 25 .695
2 y-New York Knicks 57 25 .695
3 x-Chicago Bulls 55 27 .671 2
4 x-Orlando Magic 50 32 .610 7
5 x-Indiana Pacers 47 35 .573 10
6 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 47 35 .573 10
7 x-New Jersey Nets 45 37 .549 12
8 x-Miami Heat 42 40 .512 15
9 Charlotte Hornets 41 41 .500 16
10 Boston Celtics 32 50 .390 25
11 Philadelphia 76ers 25 57 .305 32
12 Washington Bullets 24 58 .293 33
13t Milwaukee Bucks 20 62 .244 37
13t Detroit Pistons 20 62 .244 37
z - clinched division title
y - clinched division title
x - clinched playoff spot

Record vs. opponents

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1993-94 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 4–0 4–1 2–3 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 5–0 2–0 1–3 2–2 3–1 4–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–0
Boston 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–3 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 0–4 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–1 1–1 1–4 0–4 2–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 3–2
Charlotte 1–4 4–0 1–4 1–4 1–1 1–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–2
Chicago 3–2 2–2 4–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 4–0 2–0 3–1 1–3 2–2 3–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–0
Cleveland 1–3 3–1 4–1 3–1 2–0 1–1 3–2 2–0 0–2 2–3 2–0 1–1 1–3 3–2 2–0 2–2 0–4 2–2 4–0 0–2 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Dallas 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–4 1–4 0–2 0–4 0–4 0–2 0–2 5–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–4 1–3 2–2 0–5 0–4 0–5 1–1
Denver 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–3 3–2 1–1 3–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–3 1–3 2–2 2–4 2–2 1–4 1–1
Detroit 0–4 1–3 0–4 0–5 2–3 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–4 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–4 2–0 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2
Golden State 2–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 4–0 3–1 2–0 0–4 1–1 4–1 5–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–3 3–2 4–1 2–2 1–4 3–1 2–0
Houston 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–1 2–3 2–0 4–0 1–1 4–0 3–1 2–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–0 4–0 2–3 2–2 3–3 1–1
Indiana 2–3 4–0 2–2 1–4 3–2 2–0 1–1 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 0–4 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
L.A. Clippers 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 4–0 1–3 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–5 2–3 3–2 1–3 1–4 1–3 1–1
L.A. Lakers 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 0–5 1–3 2–0 3–2 1–1 2–0 3–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–1 3–2 0–5 1–4 0–4 0–5 2–2 1–1
Miami 1–3 3–2 3–1 2–2 3–1 2–0 1–1 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–3 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–0 2–3 2–2 2–3 4–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 3–1
Milwaukee 0–5 1–3 2–3 0–4 2–3 2–0 0–2 4–1 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 0–2 0–4 0–2 1–3 0–4 1–3 1–3 0–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–3
Minnesota 0–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–5 1–4 0–2 2–2 1–4 0–2 3–1 1–3 0–2 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–4 0–4 2–2 1–4 0–4 1–4 0–2
New Jersey 3–1 4–1 2–2 1–3 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 0–2 1–3 1–1 2–0 3–2 3–1 1–1 4–1 0–5 3–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–1
New York 2–2 4–0 1–3 3–1 4–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 1–1 0–2 4–0 2–0 2–0 2–2 4–0 2–0 1–4 3–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 5–0
Orlando 1–3 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 3–2 3–1 1–1 5–0 2–3 4–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–1
Philadelphia 0–4 1–4 1–3 1–3 0–4 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 1–1 1–1 1–4 3–1 0–2 1–3 2–3 0–4 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 1–1 2–3
Phoenix 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–1 1–1 3–2 2–2 1–1 5–0 2–3 2–0 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 3–1 2–3 2–2 2–0
Portland 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1 3–1 2–0 2–3 0–4 1–1 3–2 5–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 2–0 0–2 0–2 2–0 2–3 4–1 1–3 1–4 1–3 2–0
Sacramento 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–1 0–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 1–4 0–4 0–2 2–3 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 2–0 1–4 1–4 1–3 0–5 1–3 2–0
San Antonio 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–0 5–0 4–2 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–0 3–1 4–0 2–0 2–0 4–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–3 3–1 3–1 0–4 0–5 2–0
Seattle 1–1 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 2–2 1–1 4–1 2–2 1–1 4–1 5–0 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–2 4–1 5–0 4–0 3–1 2–0
Utah 1–1 2–0 1–1 0–2 1–1 5–0 4–1 2–0 1–3 3–3 1–1 3–1 2–2 1–1 2–0 4–1 1–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 2–2 3–1 3–1 5–0 1–3 2–0
Washington 0–4 2–3 2–2 0–4 1–3 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–1 1–1 1–3 3–1 2–0 1–3 0–5 1–4 3–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2 0–2

Game log

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Player statistics

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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 69 69 37.6 .452 .388 .836 2.2 3.8 0.9 0.1 20.4
Terry Mills 80 74 34.7 .511 .329 .797 8.4 2.2 0.8 0.8 17.3
Isiah Thomas 58 56 30.2 .417 .310 .702 2.7 6.9 1.2 0.1 14.8
Olden Polynice 37 36 36.5 .547 .000 .457 12.3 0.6 0.6 1.0 13.1
Sean Elliott 73 73 33.0 .455 .299 .803 3.6 2.7 0.7 0.4 12.1
Lindsey Hunter 82 26 26.5 .375 .333 .732 2.3 4.8 1.5 0.1 10.3
Bill Laimbeer 11 5 22.5 .522 .333 .846 5.1 1.3 0.5 0.4 9.8
Allan Houston 79 20 19.2 .405 .299 .824 1.5 1.3 0.4 0.2 8.5
Greg Anderson 77 47 21.1 .543 .333 .571 7.4 0.7 0.7 0.9 6.4
David Wood 78 3 15.2 .459 .449 .756 3.1 0.7 0.5 0.2 4.1
Pete Chilcutt 30 0 13.0 .425 .214 .769 3.3 0.5 0.3 0.4 3.8
Mark Macon 35 1 10.6 .396 .286 .625 1.0 1.1 0.9 0.0 3.6
Ben Coleman 9 0 8.6 .480 .500 2.9 0.0 0.2 0.2 3.1
Marcus Liberty 35 0 7.8 .310 .370 .486 1.6 0.4 0.3 0.1 2.9
Charles Jones 42 0 20.9 .462 .000 .559 5.6 0.7 0.3 1.0 2.2
Tod Murphy 7 0 8.1 .500 .500 1.3 0.4 0.3 0.0 2.1
Tracy Moore 3 0 3.3 .667 1.000 0.3 0.0 0.7 0.0 2.0
Dan O'Sullivan 13 0 4.3 .333 .750 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 1.3

Player Statistics Citation:[22]

Awards and records

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Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1993-94 Detroit Pistons
  2. ^ Brown, Clifton (July 1, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Pick and Troll: Magic Trades No. 1 Choice Webber". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. ^ Heisler, Mark (July 1, 1993). "THE NBA DRAFT: Big Deal for Warriors: Webber for Hardaway: Basketball: Golden State Finally Gets Someone with Size. Orlando Gets Memphis State Guard to Complement O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  4. ^ Wilbon, Michael (July 1, 1993). "Webber Is 1st, Then Traded". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Landman, Brian (July 1, 1993). "Magic Picks Up a "Penny"". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  6. ^ "1993 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  7. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Detroit Trades Rodman to San Antonio for Elliott". The New York Times. October 2, 1993. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Pistons Deal Rodman to Spurs". The Washington Post. October 2, 1993. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  11. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Chaney to Coach Pistons and Be a Good Listener". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 4, 1993. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  12. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. November 20, 1993. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  13. ^ "NBA Notes". The Washington Post. November 20, 1993. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "BASKETBALL; Battling Pistons Lose Thomas". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 17, 1993. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "Pistons' Thomas Breaks Hand When He Punches Laimbeer". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. November 17, 1993. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  16. ^ Smith, Sam (November 21, 1993). "'Sensitive' Laimbeer Mulled Retiring After Fighting Isiah". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  17. ^ "NBA Games Played on February 10, 1994". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  18. ^ "Pistons, Kings Make New Deal". Chicago Tribune. February 21, 1994. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  19. ^ "Polynice Goes to Kings for Chilcutt, Draft Pick". Deseret News. February 21, 1994. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. February 22, 1994. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  21. ^ "1993–94 Detroit Pistons Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  22. ^ a b "1993–94 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  23. ^ "Thomas's Injury May End Career". The Washington Post. April 20, 1994. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  24. ^ "Thomas: Early Retirement". Chicago Tribune. May 11, 1994. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  25. ^ "Isiah Thomas Bids Farewell". The New York Times. May 12, 1994. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  26. ^ "No More 'Rah Rah Rah' for Thomas: Pro Basketball: Piston Guard Retires at 33, Saying He No Longer Has the Energy to Play at His Accustomed Level". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 12, 1994. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  27. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Thomas Ends on Injury". The New York Times. April 20, 1994. Retrieved October 13, 2021.
  28. ^ Roberts, Selena (April 20, 1994). "Magic Clinch Home Court". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  29. ^ "A Disappointing End to Thomas' Career". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 21, 1994. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  30. ^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Sean Elliott Again Is a Spur". The New York Times. Associated Press. July 20, 1994. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  31. ^ "Spurs Trade the Rights to Curley, a Draft Pick to Get Elliott Back". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 20, 1994. Retrieved September 26, 2022.

See also

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