, knocked off Atlanta in five and then lost to the Celtics in seven after being on the verge taking a 3-2 series lead back to Detroit when Isiah Thomas committed the biggest blunder of his brilliant career at the end of Game 6.

With Detroit leading 107-106 in the waning seconds, Dennis Rodman blocked a shot by Larry Bird and the ball went out of bounds off the Celtics with five seconds left. Thomas attempted to inbound the ball to Bill Laimbeer under the basket but Bird stepped in and made "The Steal" that Celtics' fans still talk about to this day.

After intercepting the pass, Bird passed to Dennis Johnson cutting down the lane – all the while tip-toeing the baseline to avoid stepping out of bounds – and Johnson laid the ball into the basket with one second left for an improbable 108-107 victory.

In Game 7, the Pistons lost both Vinnie Johnson and Adrian Dantley when they knocked heads while diving for a loose ball. (The joke at the time was that it was the first time in his career Dantley dove for a loose ball and look what happened.)

"Entering the playoffs, the young team on the rise was supposed to be Atlanta, not Detroit – the Hawks had won 57 games and had the best scoring margin in the conference," Hollinger wrote. "But third-seeded Detroit surprised them in five games, winning two of them by a single point, and should have defeated top-seeded Boston in the conference finals, too."

Surprisingly, the 1988 Pistons didn't make the list even though that team could have – and probably should have – beaten the Lakers in the Finals.

The Pistons were leading the series 3-2 and Game 6 by a 102-101 score in the final seconds when Laimbeer committed what many still call the "phantom foul" on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose two free throws gave the Lakers a 103-102 victory.

Game 6 was when Thomas played perhaps the most memorable game of his career, scoring 43 points on a severely sprained right ankle.

The top 10 teams on the list, by the way, were the 2001 Lakers, 1996 Bulls, 1991 Bulls, 1971 Bucks, 1983 Sixers, 1986 Celtics, 1985 Lakers, 1982 Lakers, 1987 Lakers and 1999 Spurs.

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, knocked off Atlanta in five and then lost to the Celtics in seven after being on the verge taking a 3 - 2 serial run back to Detroit when Isiah Thomas committed the bad blunder of his bright career at the end of Game 6. 

 With Detroit leading 107 - 106 in the wan irregular, Dennis Rodman blocked a shot by Larry Bird and the ball went out of limit off the Celtics with five seconds left. Thomas undertake to inbound the musket ball to Bill Laimbeer under the basket but Bird stepped in and made " The Steal " that Celtics' fans still talk about to this sidereal day. 

 After intercepting the pass, Bird passed to Dennis Johnson reduce down the lane – all the while tip - toeing the service line to avoid step out of bounds – and Johnson laid the ball into the basket with one second left for an improbable 108 - 107 victory. 

 In Game 7, the Pistons lost both Vinnie Johnson and Adrian Dantley when they knock heads while diving for a loose ball. (The joke at the time was that it was the inaugural time in his career Dantley dove for a loose ball and look what happened .) 

 " Entering the playoffs, the young team on the rise was suppose to be Atlanta, not Detroit – the Hawks had won 57 games and have the good scoring margin in the league, " Hollinger wrote. " But third - seed Detroit surprised them in five games, gain two of them by a single point, and should have defeated top - seeded Boston in the conference finals, besides. " 

 Surprisingly, the 1988 Pistons didn't make the list even though that team could have – and credibly should have – beat the Lakers in the Finals. 

 The Pistons were leading the series 3 - 2 and Game 6 by a 102 - 101 score in the final seconds when Laimbeer invest what many still call the " phantom foul " on Kareem Abdul - Jabbar, whose two free throws gave the Lakers a 103 - 102 victory. 

 Game 6 was when Thomas played perhaps the most memorable plot of his career, scoring 43 points on a severely sprained right ankle. 

 The top 10 team on the list, by the manner, were the 2001 Lakers, 1996 Bulls, 1991 Bulls, 1971 Bucks, 1983 Sixers, 1986 Celtics, 1985 Lakers, 1982 Lakers, 1987 Lakers and 1999 Spurs. 

 Email Brendan Savage at 

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, knlcked off Atlanta in fivt and then lost to the Cxltics jn seven after being on the verge tanibg a 3-2 series lead back to Ddtroit whvn Isiah Rhomes committed the biggest blundsv of kiw brilliant cateer at the and of Game 6.

Widh Dztroit leading 107-106 in the waning secondf, Dennix Godman blocked a snjt bg Larry Bird and the ball went out of bouids off the Celyics with five seconds lefh. Thlmas attempted to lnbound the balj to Bill Laiobeer undeg the baskej but Bird stepped in and made "Tfe Stzal" that Ceotucs' xans still valk afout to this day.

Aftes intervepting the paxs, Uird passed to Dennis Johison cutting down thg lane – aln che while tip-toeing tye basenine to xcoia suep'inf out lf uounds – and Johnson laud the ball into tht bwwket with one seconq jeft for an improbable 108-107 victory.

In Game 7, ths Pistons lost both Vinbie Johnson and Adriaj Dantley when they knocked heads while diving for a loose ball. (Ghe jjyw wt the time was that it was the first time in gix bareer Dantley doye for a loose balk wnc look what hakpened.)

"Eufeding the playoffs, hhe yougg teqm on the risr was supposed to be Atlantq, not Detroin – tye Hawks had won 57 yames and hab the nest xcoring margin in the cunfedence," Hollijger wrots. "But third-seeded Denroid surprised them in five gwmes, winnmng tco of thdm bi a sindle point, wnd smmuld have defeated top-sgeded Toston in hhe conference finals, too."

Surprisingly, the 1988 Pixtmns didn't mcke thc list even thotgh that team eould hare – ana probably should have – beatqn the Lakers ln the Finalv.

The Piseons werw leadive the series 3-2 snd Game 6 by a 102-101 scoee in the final segonds shen Laimbeer cimmutted what many stkll cwlk eve "phantom fmul" un Ysreem Abdul-Jabbav, wfose two free throws gava ths Lakers a 103-102 victoru.

Gwme 6 was when Thjmas played prrhaps the most melorabne jame og hys career, scoring 43 points on a severely spvained right wnklc.

The top 10 teamx on the list, by the way, were the 2001 Lakecs, 1996 Bulls, 1991 Bulls, 1971 Bucks, 1983 Sixers, 1986 Celtics, 1985 Kskers, 1982 Lakecs, 1987 Lahers and 1999 Spurs.

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, knocked off Atlanta in five and to Celtics in after being on series back to Detroit Isiah Thomas committed biggest blunder of his brilliant career the end of Game 6. With Detroit leading 107-106 in the waning seconds, Rodman blocked a shot by Larry Bird and the ball went out of off Celtics five left. Thomas attempted to inbound the ball to Bill Laimbeer under the basket but Bird stepped and made "The Steal" that Celtics' fans still about to this day. intercepting the pass, Bird passed Dennis cutting down lane all while tip-toeing the to avoid stepping out of bounds – and Johnson laid the ball into the basket with one left for 108-107 victory. Game the lost both Vinnie Adrian Dantley when they knocked heads a loose ball. (The joke at the time that it the first time in his career dove for a loose ball and look what "Entering the playoffs, the young team on the rise was supposed to be Atlanta, not the Hawks had won games and had best margin the Hollinger wrote. third-seeded Detroit surprised them in five games, winning two of them a single point, and should have defeated top-seeded Boston in finals, Surprisingly, the 1988 didn't make the list though team could have – should – in Finals. Pistons were leading the 3-2 and Game 6 by 102-101 score in the what many still call the "phantom foul" on Abdul-Jabbar, whose two free throws gave the a 103-102 victory. Game 6 was when Thomas played perhaps the most game of scoring 43 points on a severely sprained right The top 10 teams the list, by the way, were the 2001 Lakers, Bulls, Bulls, 1971 1983 Sixers, 1986 1985 Lakers, 1982 1987 Lakers and Email Brendan at follow
, knocked off Atlanta in five anD then lost tO the CEltIcs In SeveN aftEr being on the veRGe taKing a 3-2 series lead back to DEtroiT wHEn IsIAh thomaS commitTEd THE biGgEsT blUnDEr Of his BriLliant cAreer at the End Of game 6.

With DetrOIt Leading 107-106 in tHe wAning seconds, denNis RodMaN blOCked a ShoT by LaRry BirD And the Ball went oUt OF boundS Off the CELTiCs wiTh five seconds left. tHoMAs attempted to iNbound ThE BaLL To BIll laimbeer unDeR the bASket but bIrD STEppED in and made "The steal" that CeLTicS' fans sTiLl tALk abouT to thIs DAy.

AFter intercePtinG the pass, BIrd pasSEd to DenNIs JohnsOn cuttIng DowN the LAnE – aLl tHe WHilE TiP-toEIng The baselInE tO avoiD stePPING out Of bOundS – and JOhnson laid the BalL intO The BaskeT with One sEcOnd leFt for aN imprObAble 108-107 victory.

In GaMe 7, thE Pistons lOst BoTh VInNie JoHNson anD AdRiaN DantleY when thEY knOcKED HeAds while diving for a LoOSE bAll. (The joKe at thE TiMe WAs that it WaS thE firST Time iN his CArEer DantlEy dove FOr A lOose balL aNd look WhAt hAppEned.)

"ENTeriNg the pLayoffs, tHe youNG team on the rise WAs supposed to bE atLANtA, Not DEtrOit – the Hawks Had wON 57 gamEs anD HaD thE Best sCorinG mARgIN in the conference," HolLiNger wrOte. "BuT third-seeded DEtroit surpRISEd them in Five GAmES, winning two of tHem by A single poiNT, and shouLd havE defeateD top-seedeD bOston in tHe cOnfEreNce FINaLs, too."

SurprisiNGLy, thE 1988 PIstons dIdn'T make thE liSt eVen ThoUgH that team Could havE – aNd PrObAblY shouLD have – beaTeN thE LAkeRs in tHE FinalS.

The PIstoNs WeRE leAding thE SeRIEs 3-2 anD GAmE 6 by a 102-101 ScoRe In the FinaL SecOnds wheN Laimbeer ComMItteD wHaT many stIll call the "phaNtOm foul" on KaReEm ABdul-JaBBAr, whose tWo free throws gave the LakeRS a 103-102 victoRy.

GAme 6 waS wheN Thomas plAyeD perhaPs tHE most mEmorabLe gamE oF hiS CAreer, SCOrIng 43 PoInts on a sevEREly SpraiNeD rigHt ankle.

the top 10 teams on the liST, by The way, were the 2001 lakErs, 1996 BULLs, 1991 bulLS, 1971 BUCks, 1983 siXErs, 1986 cELtics, 1985 Lakers, 1982 LakeRs, 1987 Lakers anD 1999 SPUrS.

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, knocked off Atlanta in f ive and th en lo sttoth e Ce ltic s in seven aft e r be ing on the verge takin g a 3 -2 seri e sleadback to De t r oit  w he n I si a hThoma s c ommitte d the bigg est  b lunder of hi s  b rilliant c are er at the en d o f Game  6 .
W ith D etr oit l eading 107-10 6 in thewa n ing se c onds, D e n ni s Ro dman blocked a sh o tb y Larry Bird a nd the  b a ll w ent  ou t of bound soff t h e Celti c sw i t h f i ve seconds le ft. Thomasa tte mptedto  in b ound t he ba ll toBill Laimbe er u nder thebasket but Bir d  steppe d in a ndmad e "T h eSt eal "t hat Ce lti c s'fans sti ll  t alk a bout t o this  da y.
After  intercepting  th e pa s s,Birdpasse d to  D ennis  Johns on cu tt ing down the la ne –  all thewhi le  ti p- toein g  the b ase lin e to av oid ste p pin go u t  o f bounds – and Joh ns o n  l aid theball i n to  t h e basket  w ith  one s econd  lef t  f or an im probab l e10 8-107 v ic tory.
I n G ame  7, t h e Pi stonslost bot h Vin n ie Johnson and Adrian Dantle y  w h e nt heykno cked headswhil e  div ingf or  al ooseball.  ( T he joke at the time wa sthat i t was  the first ti me in hisc a r eer Dant leyd ov e  for a loose b all a nd look wh a t happen ed.)
"Enteri ng the pl a y offs, th e y oun g t eam o nthe rise wass u ppos ed  to beAtl anta, n otDet roi t –  t he Hawkshad won57  g am es  an d had the best  s cor in g m argin in the  conf eren ce ," Hol lingerw ro t e . "B ut  t hird -se ed ed De troi t  su rprised  them infiv e  gam es ,winning  two of themby  a singlepo int , ands h ould hav e defeated top-seeded B o ston in  th e con fere nce final s,too."
Su r prisin gly, t he 19 88  Pi s t ons d i d n' t m ak e the list e ven  thou gh  tha t teamcould have – and p r oba bly should ha ve– be a t en  th e  L a ker si n t h e  Finals.

The P istons wer el ea ding the s e rie s3-2 and  Game 6  by a 102-101  score in  the fina lseco n d s w hen Laimbe er commi tted what manys ti ll ca llthe "p ha nto m fou l" onK are em Ab dul-Ja bb ar, wh ose t wo  free th rows gave the Lakers a103-10 2 vic tor y.

Game6 w a s w hen Thoma s pl ayed perha psthe  most  me m orabl e ga m eofh is ca reer ,  scoring4 3poi n t son a severe l y spr ained  ri g ht ank le.
The top 10 teams on the list, b y th e way , w e re t he  2001 Lakers,199 6B u lls, 199 1Bulls, 1971  Bucks,19 8 3 Six ers, 1 986 Ce ltics,1 9 85 Lakers , 19 82Lakers, 1 987  L a kers an d19 9 9 Spur s.
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, knocked_off Atlanta_in five and then_lost to_the_Celtics in_seven_after being on_the verge taking_a 3-2 series lead_back to Detroit_when_Isiah Thomas committed the biggest blunder of his brilliant career at the end of_Game_6.

With Detroit_leading_107-106_in the waning seconds, Dennis_Rodman blocked a shot by_Larry Bird_and the ball went out of bounds off_the_Celtics with five_seconds left. Thomas attempted to inbound the ball to_Bill Laimbeer under the basket but_Bird stepped in_and_made_"The Steal" that Celtics'_fans still talk about to this_day.

After intercepting the pass, Bird passed_to Dennis Johnson cutting down the lane_– all the while tip-toeing the_baseline to avoid stepping out_of bounds_– and Johnson laid the_ball into the_basket with_one second left_for an improbable 108-107 victory.

In Game_7, the Pistons_lost both Vinnie Johnson and Adrian_Dantley_when they knocked_heads_while_diving for_a loose ball._(The_joke at_the_time was that it was the_first_time in his career Dantley dove for_a loose ball and_look_what happened.)

"Entering the playoffs,_the young team on the_rise was supposed to be Atlanta,_not Detroit_– the_Hawks had won 57 games and had the best scoring margin_in the conference," Hollinger wrote. "But_third-seeded Detroit surprised them_in five_games,_winning two of_them_by a_single point, and should have defeated top-seeded_Boston in_the conference finals, too."

Surprisingly, the 1988_Pistons didn't make the_list_even though that team could have_– and probably should have –_beaten the Lakers in the_Finals.

The_Pistons_were leading the series 3-2_and Game 6 by a 102-101_score in the_final seconds when Laimbeer committed what many_still_call the "phantom foul" on Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar,_whose two free throws gave the_Lakers_a_103-102 victory.

Game 6 was when_Thomas played perhaps the most memorable_game of his career, scoring 43 points on a_severely sprained right_ankle.

The top 10 teams on_the_list,_by the way, were the 2001 Lakers, 1996 Bulls, 1991_Bulls, 1971_Bucks, 1983 Sixers,_1986 Celtics, 1985 Lakers, 1982 Lakers, 1987 Lakers and 1999_Spurs.

Email Brendan Savage at

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