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ALL THE PISTONS WERE FIRING
Jack McCallum
May 23, 1988
Even as their physical style left various NBA teams in pieces this season, the Detroit Pistons could never quite put together their own. In failing to fulfill their regular-season mission of beating out the Boston Celtics for the Eastern Conference's best record, the Pistons were often a contentious bunch, forever in search of the recipe to blend their abundant supply of talent and ego successfully. "Let's just say we're more mercurial than most teams," says Detroit assistant coach Dick Versace.
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May 23, 1988

All The Pistons Were Firing

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The reason for the Bulls' stagnation was Detroit's active, all-hands-on-deck defense, keyed to double-and triple-teaming Jordan.

"It's difficult to beat a defense by myself," said Jordan. "You can't expect me to go one against five."

Especially against a formidable foe like Detroit.

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