1988-89 Detroit Pistons (63-19)

Coach: Chuck Daly

In the 1988 Finals, the Pistons lost to the Lakers. Now, the Pistons were rewarded with a smaller Palace in a Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills. The Pistons, featuring Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, and Bill Laimbeer, were playing nastier and rougher. In the middle of the season, Adrian Dantley was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Thomas' childhood friend Mark Aguirre. At first, Dantley refused to report to his new team, but settled down in Dallas. The Pistons ended up winning a franchise record 63 games with a Central Division title to fall back on.

After beating the declining Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Pistons met the up-and-coming Bulls. However, Jordan and Pippen's Bulls won two of the first three contests. Detroit ended up winning the next three to set a rematch against the Lakers. The Pistons would surprise all fans by sweeping the Lakers in 4 straight games. Forward Joe Dumars won the Finals MVP.