Sports Poets Society

https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/06/25/nothing-to-celebrate June 25, 1990  -  SI Staff TABLE OF CONTENTS ORIGINAL LAYOUT It was one of the ugliest episodes in Detroit since 43 people died during the civil rights uprising of 1967. But this time there was no possibly redeeming social revolution behind the violence . It was so utterly pointless: Eight people — including three children under the age of 11 — were killed in a night of madness brought on by the success of the local professional basketball team. The Detroit Pistons had just won their second straight NBA title, with a last-second basket by Vinnie Johnson that clinched the championship series four games to one over the Portland Trail Blazers . Johnson made that shot on Thursday in Portland, some 2,000 miles away, at about 11:30 p.m., Detroit time. Within seconds the craziness began. Gunfire cracked all over town. Firing shots in the air is a traditional method of civic celebration in many cities, but before the night was over, 2

https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/06/25/thorns-in-the-roses-detroit-repeated-as-nba-champ-but-the-headlines-werent-all-favorable Detroit repeated as NBA champ, but the headlines weren't all favorable by  Jack McCallum Sports Illustrated -  June 25, 1990 Isiah Thomas's studied, mature orchestration of the Detroit Pistons' NBA championship last week went a long way toward changing his image among basketball purists . Thomas kept the tempo at a controlled, even pace, which disrupted the fast-breaking Portland Trail Blazers. And when he wasn't doing that, he was creating something from nothing, with long-distance jump shots, body-twisting drives and steals in the open floor. Six other NBA guards, including teammate Joe Dumars, were selected by the media ahead of Thomas on the three All-NBA teams this season . But by the time the Pistons had beaten the Blazers 92-90 in Game 5 to clinch their second straight championship last Thursday night in Portland, there was only