DETROIT — Isiah Thomas stood at the top of the key at Veterans Memorial Coliseum after receiving an in-bounds pass from Dennis Rodman. Game 5 of the 1990 NBA Finals between the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers was tied at 90 with 20 seconds remaining.

During the timeout, coach Chuck Daly designed a play for Thomas to take the potential game-winning shot against Terry Porter. But as soon as play resumed, the Hall-of-Fame point guard noticed something on the right side of the court that wasn’t just a testament to his greatness, but also the identity of the team.

“I noticed that Jerome Kersey was guarding Vinnie Johnson, and I said to myself, ‘He (Kersey) has no chance,’” Thomas told The Detroit News this week. “Vinnie had a better matchup than I had at that time. … It was about understanding the matchup rather than (thinking of) yourself. That’s what made us such a great team. We pride ourselves in doing what was best for the team, and not what’s best for the individual.”

Thomas’ decision set up Johnson to make a game-winning basket as time expired, resulting in the Pistons’ 92-90 victory and Detroit’s second straight NBA championship.

Johnson finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting off the bench in the championship game clincher, as his shot became one of the most iconic moments in franchise history.

This is the 35th anniversary of that game on June 14, 1990.

“That game, we were battling uphill the entire game, and Portland was playing well,” Thomas said. “Knowing Vinnie the way that I know him, he had gotten on a roll early in the fourth quarter to bring us back. I wanted to make sure that we had the last shot. I dribbled to the right side and kicked it out to Vinnie, and the rest is history.”

Thomas, who scored a game-high 29 points in the win, received Finals MVP with averages of 27.6 points, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals during the five-game series. However, Bill Laimbeer may have played the most critical role.

The Trail Blazers recorded a 106-105 Game 2 victory at The Palace of Auburn Hills that tied the series at 1-1. The Pistons faced a daunting task when the Finals shifted to Portland. It was the first time the series used a 2-3-2 format and Detroit was in the midst of an extensive losing streak on the Trail Blazers’ home court.

But Laimbeer’s message ahead of the Pistons’ 121-106 Game 3 victory instilled great confidence in the team. The Pistons concluded the championship series with a three-game winning streak, holding the Trail Blazers to an average of 101.6 points per game.

“Your teammates have a way of picking you up, and Laimbeer was very vocal about how we would go there and win,” Thomas said. “We hadn’t won in Portland in like 20 years; the Blazers thought they would win all three games at home, but I believe we were the first team in the Finals to win three games on the opposing team’s home floor and close out a series. That’s how good we were.”

The Pistons’ 1990 championship title was part of a five-year period during which they dominated the league. Detroit entered the season at the pinnacle of its success, having won the franchise’s first title the previous year.

As defending champions, Thomas and his teammates believed that no team was playing better than they were at the time and vowed to remain committed to the philosophies that had established them as a great franchise since the 1986-87 campaign.

The Pistons had won an average of 56.3 regular-season games over the last three seasons while making back-to-back Finals appearances in 1988 and 1989. If not for Laimbeer’s controversial foul against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during the 1988 NBA Finals, the Pistons might have have been seeking their third straight title.

“During that period of time we honestly felt that we were the best team playing,” Thomas said. “From 1987 to 1990, no one was playing basketball better than us. Even though the (Los Angeles) Lakers and (Boston) Celtics, historically, were great teams, we felt that our team was just as good.

“So when 1990 came around, in our minds, we were going for our three-peat. If not for (Laimbeer’s) phantom foul we would have been the first team in that era to three-peat. For us, it was about being true to the game, being true to ourselves and living up to the expectations of being the best, going out and proving it every night.”

Despite facing injuries, the Pistons remained confident in winning their second consecutive Larry O’Brien Trophy. However, the most significant obstacle they faced was Rick Mahorn’s abrupt departure. Mahorn’s tenure with the Pistons ended during the 1989 expansion draft, when the Minnesota Timberwolves selected the veteran forward with the No. 2 pick.

“Without him we were less of a team,” Thomas said. “It hurt us defensively. It hurt our morale, but we still had an obligation to go out and be the best. No one could do the things or take the place of Rick Mahorn. For us, he was truly one of a kind, a once-in-a-lifetime player for us.”

The Pistons felt Mahorn’s absence but managed to maintain their dominance. They finished first in the Eastern Conference with a 59-23 record and carried their momentum into the playoffs, where they went 7-1 through the first two rounds, eliminating the Indiana Pacers (3-0) and New York Knicks (4-1).

Their most formidable challenge was an Eastern Conference Finals battle against the Chicago Bulls. However, they went on to defeat the Bulls in seven games, marking the third consecutive year they had eliminated their division rival.

Thomas averaged 20.5 points and 8.2 assists through the first three rounds, leading the Pistons to their third straight NBA Finals appearance. Joe Dumars notched 18.2 points while Laimbeer and Rodman led Detroit in rebounds, averaging 10.6 and 8.5, respectively.

“Every city that we visited, we felt it was our obligation to go out and perform, give the crowd the championship play they wanted to see,” Thomas said. “We approached every series like, ‘OK, it is only a matter of time before we beat you.’ I think our opponents knew that they were fighting an uphill battle and knew it was only a matter of time before they lost the series.”

If not for a few mistakes in Game 2 of the 1990 NBA Finals, the Pistons would have swept their opponents in the championship series for the second consecutive year. However, Detroit’s narrow one-point loss in Game 2 led to Thomas and Johnson becoming the faces of one of the league’s most iconic moments.

While Johnson’s shot secured the Pistons’ second consecutive championship, it also solidified the Bad Boys’ everlasting impact as one of the league’s most influential teams ever.

“I look at the way the game is played today, the team that had the most influence offensively and defensively had been the Detroit Pistons’ Bad Boys era,” Thomas said. “We were the first team to win back-to-back championships playing with three small guards out on the perimeter and a stretch five who can step out to the 3 and shoot. Our principles, our culture, our DNA are in every single NBA team.”

DETROIT — All it took for Ron Holland II to have arguably his best highlight of his rookie season was a missed layup by Jamal Cain.

With the Detroit Pistons trailing the New Orleans Pelicans late in the third quarter on March 23, Holland recorded a rebound following Cain’s missed attempt and pushed the ball up the court, igniting a fast break.

After executing an in-and-out move on Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins, Holland finished the possession with a one-handed dunk that sent the Little Caesars Arena crowd into a frenzy.

“It was huge, I am very happy for him,” Pistons guard Malik Beasley told The Detroit News after that game, a 136-130 win. “He was due to have a game like this. He is always talking about the rookie in Chicago (Matas Buzelis) and how he wishes he had the same opportunity. With a few players out, he had that opportunity. As his vet, I am happy for him.”

The dunk was a key moment and part of a career night for Holland. In addition to tying his career high with 26 points, Holland had his best all-around performance of the season with six assists and five rebounds.

“A lot of things happened in this game that showed a lot of my skill set,” Holland said at the time. “At the end of the day, I just want to go out there and win and do right by my teammates. Every single possession, go out and show that I am the winning player everyone keeps telling me to be.”

Several moments made the Pistons’ comeback win over the Pelicans the pinnacle of Holland’s first NBA season. It also became a staple of how Holland played a significant role in Detroit’s success despite his lack of minutes during the playoffs.

The Pistons’ first-round pick (No. 5 overall) in the 2024 draft, Holland appeared in 81 of 82 regular-season games, averaging 6.4 points on 47.4% shooting from the field and 2.7 rebounds.

He earned the trust and respect of coach J.B. Bickerstaff and his teammates early in training camp by showcasing his fearless and competitive mentality. As a result, the Pistons relied on Holland’s two-way talents throughout the season, during which he played an average of 15.6 minutes per game.

“Coming into the season as a rookie, my main focus was to let them know that I am here to play hard every single night,” Holland said. “I just wanted them to know that I got their backs just as much as they got mine … from Trajan (Langdon; Pistons president) all the way down to the players.”

Holland’s most significant contribution to the Pistons was his high energy and effort, which symbolized the franchise’s gritty and hard-nosed traits. Throughout the season, his intensity shifted several games in Detroit’s favor, a testament to how Holland became a three-time recipient of the Pistons’ BTA (Belt To Ass) honor.

Every time Holland stepped onto the court during the regular season, he showed why the Pistons have high expectations for him as a key part of their future.

“I think I did a good job of asking consistently what the team needs from me, which is staying prepared when my name is called,” Holland said. “Just bring the energy when I check into the game. When I am on the bench, helping guys who are on the floor, being that communicator for this team.”

Bickerstaff maintained a tight rotation during the Pistons’ six-game playoff series against the New York Knicks, and his adjustment led to Holland spending much of the postseason on the bench.

Holland played 34 minutes during the series, recording a combined nine points, six rebounds and a block. His most notable moment occurred during the Pistons’ 94-93 Game 4 loss on April 27, when he got into a minor altercation with Karl-Anthony Towns.

“That’s who Ron is and that’s who he has been all year long,” Bickerstaff said ahead of Game 5. “His intensity is what makes him who he is, and it is what has helped him get to the league. … I don’t mind his scrappiness. I don’t mind him mixing it up. I love his confidence. I love his belief and his will to win.”

Bickerstaff’s decision to exclude the 6-foot-8 forward from his playoff rotation was surprising. But while additional playing time for Holland wouldn’t have been enough to change the outcome of Detroit’s first-round exit to New York, the minutes Holland did receive can serve as valuable learning experiences as he aims to build on a promising rookie year.

“This playoff basketball stuff is real,” Holland said. “The first few possessions, there were a lot of bumps that were not called. It is what people have been saying that it was. The amount of emotions of winning each possession, people really lock in every single possession.”

DETROIT — Cade Cunningham had a handful of moments that solidified his breakout season. One of his most memorable plays came during the Pistons’ Game 2 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Cunningham had his best postseason performance by scoring 33 points on 11 of 21 shooting, going 10-for-12 from the foul line and grabbing 12 rebounds. He registered 20 points in the first half to help the Pistons tie the playoff series at one game apiece.

Midway through the third quarter, Cunningham got the ball following a Knicks turnover and threw down a one-handed dunk in transition. On his way to the basket, he completed a behind-the-back crossover to break free of Mikal Bridges. After the dunk, Cunningham celebrated by pointing at soon-to-be Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony, who was seated baseline.

Cunningham went on to average 25 points, 8.7 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in his first playoff series. Although the Knicks eliminated the Pistons in six games, his playoff debut was a testament to what has him on the verge of his first All-NBA selection.

“He had an incredible year,” president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “Stats-wise, he was fantastic. He got better. I think people who knew basketball already knew he was a helluva talent, that he was capable of doing that, but he had not driven winning. He was the main driver of winning for us this year. That was his biggest step and the hardest step to take.”

Similar to the Pistons’ overall success, Langdon suspects that Cunningham’s standout year could have significant ramifications for next season.

“He was looking at other players and had a target on their backs, and now, he is going to have a target on his,” Langdon said. “Players are going to be like, ‘Man, I am going against Cade Cunningham tonight. I’m going to get my rest because people are going to be watching.’”

During Cunningham’s exit interview, which Langdon and coach J.B. Bickerstaff conducted, the primary focus was on the increased defensive attention that he will face from opponents next season. Cunningham started encountering various coverages and physical defensive strategies against the Knicks, which hindered his production at times.

His field goal percentage decreased from 46.9% shooting from the field in the regular season to 42.6% during the six-game series. The Knicks’ defensive scheme made Cunningham’s 3-point shooting a nonfactor, as he shot 17.9% from behind the arc. In the regular season, the former No. 1 pick shot a career-best 35.6% from deep.

Part of his drop in field goal efficiency included two missed potential winning shots in Games 4 and 6. During the postseason, he also led all playoff teams in turnovers, averaging 5.3 giveaways per game.

“The big thing for him, and we talked to him about it, get into elite shape,” Langdon said. “He is incredibly skilled and talented. He understands the leadership of it. He now has a little bit of late-season and playoff experience, he knows how it feels.

“So, now, he has an understanding of what he is training for in the summer. If you have never experienced playoff basketball, you don’t understand the level you have to go to. He should be training for the first and second rounds of the playoffs. Not just Game 45 (of the regular season) anymore.”

Cunningham’s career-best season ended with him catapulting himself into the echelon of the league’s elites. Langdon watched as Cunningham entered the year motivated to prove himself as a top-tier player while helping the Pistons reestablish themselves as a respectable and winning franchise.

His determination led Detroit to a 44-38 record in the regular season, its best campaign in nine years. Cunningham’s highlight play during Game 2 was among the best that demonstrated his career year. The All-Star guard is determined to prove that his breakout, and the Pistons’ success, was no fluke.

“We proved that when you come to play Detroit, it’s going to be a dogfight and you have to play the full 48 minutes,” Cunningham said. “That’s something the whole league has taken notice of; the belief in the room and in the locker room has grown a ton.”

DETROIT (AP) — Cade Cunningham led an unprecedented turnaround in NBA history, lifting the Detroit Pistons to relevance after the three-time championship franchise lost its luster.

Cunningham had an All-NBA caliber season, joining elite company with Oscar Robertson, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and LeBron James.

Detroit’s point guard and those all-time greats are the seven players in NBA history to average at least 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds in a season.

Cunningham’s breakout season helped Detroit become the league’s first team to triple its number of wins from the previous full season.

He didn’t do it alone.

Jalen Duren’s third season was his best and a trio of newly acquired veterans made an impact on and off the court for a team that had the NBA’s worst record the previous two seasons.

When the sixth-seeded and inconsistent Pistons host third-seeded New York on Sunday in Game 4, they need Cunningham to shine and his supporting cast to make shots and stops.

Cunningham is learning a lot in his NBA playoffs debut and his team is, too, in its first postseason appearance since 2019 because every possession matters and little mistakes lead to losing.

“All these things are making us a better team and I think it’s going to make us better to go win this series,” Cunningham said.

Detroit has dropped eight home playoff games in a row since 2008, pulling within one of an NBA record set by Philadelphia from 1968 to 1971.

If the Pistons lose a second straight matchup, they will tie a league mark and be on the brink of elimination going into Game 5 in New York on Tuesday night

The Knicks are expecting Detroit’s best punch.

“They’re going to come out with physicality and aggression,” Knicks guard Josh Hart told reporters Saturday.

In the only game Detroit won against New York, Cunningham was a star with 33 points on 11-of-21 shooting and 12 assists.

In Games 1 and 3, both won by the Knicks, Cunningham was not at his best and his inconsistent teammates didn’t pick up the slack.

Cunningham had 21 points, missing 13 of 21 attempts, and 12 rebounds in the opener.

In Game 3, he joined James, Westbrook and Rick Barry as the four players in NBA playoffs history to have at least 24 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks in a game.

Cunningham, though, also missed 15 of 25 shots and had six turnovers in the potentially, pivotal game.

OG Anunoby had something to do with that.

The 6-foot-7, 232-pound Anunoby, in his eighth NBA season and first full years with the Knicks, used his strength and quickness to challenge Cunningham.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff is confident Cunningham will find a way to make winning plays in Game 4.

“We’ve seen Cade be able to get where he wants to get to and do what he needs to do,” Bickerstaff said said. “Give (Anunoby) respect because he’s earned it, but I still like Cade’s chances.”

To improve Detroit’s shot to even the series, Cunningham’s teammates have to take advantage of the space he creates by making open shots.

While veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. made a career-playoff high seven 3-pointers and matched a Pistons record, a usually dependable teammate struggled in Game 3.

Malik Beasley connected on six 3-pointers in the opener and made a franchise-record 319 3-pointers during the regular season, ranking second in the league, but was 2 of 10 beyond the arc Thursday night.

Tobias Harris scored a total of 40 points in the two games at Madison Square Garden, then was held to just five points at Little Caesars Arena.

The Knicks, meanwhile, had one of their most balanced offensive postseason performances in more than a half-century.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points, Jalen Brunson had 30 points, Anunoby scored 22 and Mikal Bridges had 20 points.

The last time New York had four players score 20-plus points in a playoff game, Hall of Famers Walt Frazier, Jerry Lucas, Dave DeBusschere and Bill Bradley pulled off the feat in 1972.

“What hurt us in this last game was more our defense than anything we did offensively,” Bickerstaff said.