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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13491
Folder ID Number:
13491-012
Folder Title:
Detroit Pistons Visit 6/20/89
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
25
6
3
4
the WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 19, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DANIEL McGROARTY Day,9
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON cu
SUBJECT:
DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
I. SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 20, 1989, at 11:00 a.m., you will greet the
NBA world champion Detroit Pistons in the Rose Garden.
II. DISCUSSION
The Pistons won the championship in a four game sweep over
the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Your remarks focus on
the coach and key players who made the victory possible.
McGroarty/Dooley
June 16, 1989
6:00 pm
Draft 1
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
Senators Reigle and Levin: welcome. We've got the whole
team from the Michigan Congressional delegation. Commisioner
Stern of the NBA. The unsung heroes -- heroines -- of the
Detroit Pistons: the players' wives.
((And a special welcome to Bill Laimbeer, who told me back
in October he'd see me at the White House in June. Actually,
Bill was sure the Pistons would be here -- and he hoped I would
be, too.))
And to all our guests today: I'm delighted that you've all
joined me here to congratulate the new world champions of
basketball, the Detroit Pistons.
You won the title in style -- four straight, over the
legendary L.A. Lakers. I know you had a special incentive to
make it a sweep. Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill
for a seven-game series
Chuck's known as the Dick Clark of the NBA -- 59 going on
29. But don't let those youthful looks fool you. Chuck's waited
30 years for this day -- for a coach's dream come true.
He's got a team loaded with talent -- and determination. No
team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. The Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the
parts in working order. Isiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard
-- with a broken hand the past. two months. Credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician:
Mike Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
Someone once said basketbail is ballet with a backboard.
Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with Bill
Laimbeer or Rick Mahorn when a shot goes up. Not exactly Swan
Lake out there
But ycur brand of bump-and-run basketball is
a winner.
I know that your aggressive style has given the Pistons
something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern has told me
about the work you do in the Detroit community -- with Special
Olympics and Muscular Distrophy, and other worthy causes. You
may be the Bad Boys of basketball, but off the court, people see
the kinder, gentler side of the Detroit Pistons.
Now, you can have all the talent in the world, but you can't
win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient:
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Human
Microwave -- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. The Spider
and the Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of
superheroes off the bench.
Then there's the guy without the nickname, MVP Joe Dumars,
the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Here's a man who keeps
quiet, and lets his scoring do the talking. Take Game 3: 21
points in 12 minutes -- sounds more like pinball than basketball.
All of you have accomplished the extraordinary. Some of the
best players in the NBA go an entire career without winning that
ring. It takes a team to win -- talent, drive and dedication
that goes 12 men deep. That's the secret to success of any kind
-- and it's the winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
world champs.
Thank you for visiting today, and once again,
congratulations to you, to the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 20, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO NBA CHAMPION DETROIT PISTONS
Room 450
Old Executive Office Building
11:50 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I see we have the two Senators from
Michigan and much of the Congressional delegation here and we want to
welcome Senator Levin and Senator Reigle. (Applause.) Congressmen
Schute, Broomfield, and et cetera, et cetera. And I'm just delighted
you all are here. Commissioner Stern, welcome, sir. And then I want
to welcome the unsung heroes -- the heroines -- of the Detroit
Pistons, the players' wives. (Applause.) And owner, Bill Davidson,
and then the -- I think they all got in in spite of the weather, the
D.C. Police Boys and Girls Club. Welcome. Who is with that? Right
wonderful. around here? You guys right here. Great. (Applause.) That's
And you may have noticed my special greeting from Bill
Laimbeer. He and his wife Chris were with him in October, and he
told me back in October that he'd see me at the White House in June.
Actually, he was sure he's be here, not so sure about me.
(Laughter.) But, sure enough, there they are. (Applause.)
And to all our guests today, I'm just delighted that
you've joined me to congratulate the new world champions -- the world
champions of basketball, the Detroit Pistons. (Applause.)
You guys won it in style -- four straight, over the
Lakers. And I know you had a special incentive to make it a sweep.
Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill for a seven-game series.
(Laughter and applause.) You know, Chuck's known as the Dick Clark
of the NBA -- 59 going on 29. (Laughter.) But don't let those
youthful looks fool you. He's waited 35 years for this day -- for a
coach's dream come true.
And he's got a team loaded with talent and determination.
No team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. And the Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the parts
in working order. Isiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard -- with a
broken hand for the past two months. And credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician -- Mike
Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
And someone once said basketball is ballet with a
backboard. Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with
Laimbeer and Mahorn when a shot goes up there. I would not liken
that to Swan Lake. (Laughter.) But your brand of bump-and-run
basketball is a winner.
And I know that your aggressive style has given the
Pistons something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern told us
also something else about the work that you do in the Detroit
community with the -- with the Special Olympics, Muscular Distrophy
-- many other worthy causes. And you may be to some the bad boys of
basketball, but off the court, people see the kinder, gentler side of
the Detroit Pistons. (Laughter.)
MORE
- 2 -
And now you can have all the talent in the world, but you
can't win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient --
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Microwave
-- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. (Laughter.) The Spider
and Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of superheroes
off the bench.
And then there's the guy without the nickname, the Most
Valuable Player, Joe Dumars, the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
(Applause.) Here's a man who keeps quiet and lets the scoring do the
talking. Take game three: 21 points in 12 minutes -- sounds more
like pinball than basketball. (Laughter.)
But all of you have accomplished the extraordinary. And
some of the best players in the NBA go an entire career without
winning that ring. And it takes a team to win -- talent, drive and
dedication that goes 12 men deep. And that's the secret of success
of any kind and it's the winning formula. You kids watch and learn
from all of that. The winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
the world champs.
Thank you for visiting us. I'm glad you are now out of
low-orbit around the airfield out here, and once again,
congratulations to all of you, to the city of Detroit and to the
state of Michigan. I am delighted that you are here at the White
House.
Thank you very much for coming. (Applause.)
END
11:56 A.M. EDT
Document No. 045705 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
89 JUN/19/189 : 59
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 1009 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM:
DANIEL McGROARTY Day, 9
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
can
SUBJECT:
DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
I. SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 20, 1989, at 11:00 a.m., you will greet the
NBA world champion Detroit Pistons in the Rose Garden.
II. DISCUSSION
The Pistons won the championship in a four game sweep over
the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Your remarks focus on
the coach and key players who made the victory possible.
McGroarty/Dooley
June 16, 1989
6:00 pm
Draft 1
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
Senators Reigle and Levin: welcome. We've got the whole
team from the Michigan Congressional delegation. Commisioner
Stern of the NBA. The unsung heroes -- heroines -- of the
Detroit Pistons: the players' wives.
( (And a special welcome to Bill Laimbeer, who told me back
in October he'd see me at the White House in June. Actually,
Bill was sure the Pistons would be here -- and he hoped I would
be, too. ) )
And to all our guests today: I'm delighted that you've all
joined me here to congratulate the new world champions of
basketball, the Detroit Pistons.
You won the title in style -- four straight, over the
legendary L.A. Lakers. I know you had a special incentive to
make it a sweep. Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill
for a seven-game series
Chuck's known as the Dick Clark of the NBA -- 59 going on
29. But don't let those youthful looks fool you. Chuck's waited
30 years for this day -- for a coach's dream come true.
He's got a team loaded with talent -- and determination. No
team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. The Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the
parts in working order. Isiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard
-- with a broken hand the past, two months. Credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician:
Mike Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
Someone once said basketball is ballet with a backboard.
Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with Bill
Laimbeer or Rick Mahorn when a shot goes up. Not exactly Swan
Lake out there
But your brand of bump-and-run basketball is
a winner.
I know that your aggressive style has given the Pistons
something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern has told me
about the work you do in the Detroit community -- with Special
Olympics and Muscular Distrophy, and other worthy causes. You
may be the Bad Boys of basketball, but off the court, people see
the kinder, gentler side of the Detroit Pistons.
Now, you can have all the talent in the world, but you can't
win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient:
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Human
Microwave -- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. The Spider
and the Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of
superheroes off the bench.
Then there's the guy without the nickname, MVP Joe Dumars,
the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Here's a man who keeps
quiet, and lets his scoring do the talking. Take Game 3: 21
points in 12 minutes -- sounds more like pinball than basketball.
All of you have accomplished the extraordinary. Some of the
best players in the NBA go an entire career without winning that
ring. It takes a team to win -- talent, drive and dedication
that goes 12 men deep. That's the secret to success of any kind
-- and it's the winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
world champs.
Thank you for visiting today, and once again,
congratulations to you, to the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
89 JUN 19 P6: 17
June 19, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER
RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Detroit Pistons Visit
Another solid draft. The remarks are well written,
entertaining and properly emphasize the importance of
teamwork. We have no suggested changes from a policy
standpoint and approve of the draft in its present form.
CC: James W. Cicconi
Document No. 045705
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 06/16/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 11:00 a.m. Monday 06/19
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
(06/16 6:00 p.m. draft 1)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
d
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
X
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
d
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
>
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (Rm. 122, x2930) by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 06/19, with an
info copy to my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
June 16, 1989
6:00 pm
1939
Draft 1
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
Senators Reigle and Levin: welcome. We've got the whole
team from the Michigan Congressional delegation. Commissioner
Stern of the NBA.
Welcome to the White House. I'm delighted that you've all
joined me here to congratulate the new world champions of
basketball, the Detroit Pistons.
You won the title in style -- four straight, over the
legendary L.A. Lakers. I know you had a special incentive to
make it a sweep. Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill
for a seven-game series
Chuck's known as the Dick Clark of the NBA -- 59 going on
29. But don't let those youthful looks fool you. Chuck's waited
30 years for this day -- for a coach's dream come true.
He's got a team loaded with talent -- and determination. No
team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. The Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the
parts in working order. Isaiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard
-- with a broken hand the past two months. Credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician:
Mike Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
Someone once said basketball is ballet with a backboard.
Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with Bill
Laimbeer or Ricky Mahorn when a shot goes up. Not exactly Swan
Lake out there
But your brand of blue-collar basketball is a
winner.
I know that bump-and-run style has given the Pistons
something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern has told me
about the work you do in the Detroit community -- with Special
Olympics and Muscular Distrophy, and other worthy causes. You
may be the Bad Boys of basketball, but off the court, people see
the kinder, gentler side of the Detroit Pistons.
Now, you can have all the talent in the world, but you can't
win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient:
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Human
Microwave -- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. The Spider
and the Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of
superheroes off the bench.
Then there's the guy without the nickname, MVP Joe Dumars,
the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Here's a man who keeps
quiet, and lets his scoring do the talking. Take Game 3: 21
points in 12 minutes -- sounds more like pinball than basketball.
All of you have accomplished the extraordinary. Some of the
best players in the NBA go an entire career without winning that
ring. It takes a team to win -- talent, drive and dedication
that goes 12 men deep. That's the secret to success of any kind
-- and it's the winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
world champs.
Thank you for visiting today, and once again,
congratulations to you, to the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan.
# # #
Document No. 045705
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE: 06/16/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 11:00 a.m. Monday 06/19
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
(06/16 6:00 p.m. draft 1)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER Out of office
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
2896 N/C
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide any comm
Winston (Rm. 122, x2930
verified w/ Piston's
to Chriss
info copy to my office.
19, with an
office all
RESPONSE:
flayers wives
will attend.
DMG
Cicconi
11AM
he President
. Chief of Staff
6/19/89
702
McGroarty/Dooley
June 16, 1989
6:00 pm
Draft 1
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
Senators Reigle and Levin: welcome. We've got the whole
team from the Michigan Congressional delegation. Commissioner
Stern of the NBA.
Welcome to the White House. I'm delighted that you've all
joined me here to congratulate the new world champions of
basketball, the Detroit Pistons.
You won the title in style -- four straight, over the
legendary L.A. Lakers. I know you had a special incentive to
make it a sweep. Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill
for a seven-game series
Chuck's known as the Dick Clark of the NBA -- 59 going on
29. But don't let those youthful looks fool you. Chuck's waited
30 years for this day -- for a coach's dream come true.
He's got a team loaded with talent -- and determination. No
team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. The Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the
parts in working order. Isaiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard
-- with a broken hand the past two months. Credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician:
Mike Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
Someone once said basketball is ballet with a backboard.
Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with Bill
Laimbeer or Ricky Mahorn when a shot goes up. Not exactly Swan
Lake out there
But your brand of blue collar basketball is a
winner.
your aggressive
I know that bump and run style has given the Pistons
something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern has told me
about the work you do in the Detroit community -- with Special
Olympics and Muscular Distrophy, and other worthy causes. You
may be the Bad Boys of basketball, but off the court, people see
the kinder, gentler side of the Detroit Pistons.
Now, you can have all the talent in the world, but you can't
win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient:
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Human
Microwave -- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. The Spider
and the Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of
superheroes off the bench.
Then there's the guy without the nickname, MVP Joe Dumars,
the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Here's a man who keeps
quiet, and lets his scoring do the talking. Take Game 3: 21
points in 12 minutes -- sounds more like pinball than basketball.
All of you have accomplished the extraordinary. Some of the
best players in the NBA go an entire career without winning that
ring. It takes a team to win -- talent, drive and dedication
that goes 12 men deep. That's the secret to success of any kind
-- and it's the winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
world champs.
Thank you for visiting today, and once again,
congratulations to you, to the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
89 JUN 19 All : 12
June 19, 1989
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Jim Pinkerton P
Subject:
Detroit Pistons Draft Speech
The speech to use an inapt sports metaphor covers all the
bases
Pg. 2, para. 2, line 4 "[Y]our brand of blue-collar
basketball. " It seems just slightly too class-conscious,
verging on the patronizing, to use the term "blue-collar." We
recommend some term that makes the same point while avoiding
references to class, e.g., "brawny basketball."
#
CC: Roger Porter
Bill Roper
John Gardner
Document No. 045705
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
V
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 11:00 44m. Monday 06/19
89 JUN 19
DATE: 06/16/89
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
(06/16 6:00 p.m. draft 1)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
>
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (Rm. 122, x2930) by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 06/19, with an
info copy to my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE: ok
6/19
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
89 JUN 19 All: 22
June 19, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
NELSON LUND My
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Detroit Pistons
Visit
At the request of James W. Cicconi, Counsel's office has reviewed
the captioned draft remarks. We have no legal objections.
We appreciate having had the opportunity to review these draft
remarks.
CC: James W. Cicconi
Document No. 045705
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
89 JUN 19 A10: 09
DATE: 06/16/89
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 11:00 a.m. Monday 06/19
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
(06/16 6:00 p.m. draft 1)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
WINSTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please provide any comments/recommendations directly to Chriss
Winston (Rm. 122, x2930) by 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 06/19, with an
info copy to my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
see comments
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
June 16, 1989
6:00 pm
1930
JUNIO
Draft 1
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
Senators Reigle and Levin: welcome. We've got the whole
team from the Michigan Congressional delegation. Commissioner
Stern of the NBA. Samung The the unung read talent of the Restons team
some of the players wives.
Welcome to the White House. I'm delighted that you've all
joined me here to congratulate the new world champions of
basketball, the Detroit Pistons.
You won the title in style -- four straight, over the
legendary L.A. Lakers. I know you had a special incentive to
make it a sweep. Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill
for a seven-game series
Chuck's known as the Dick Clark of the NBA -- 59 going on
29. But don't let those youthful looks fool you. Chuck's waited
30 years for this day -- for a coach's dream come true.
He's got a team loaded with talent -- and determination. No
team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. The Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the
parts in working order. Isaiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard
-- with a broken hand the past two months. Credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician:
Mike Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
Someone once said basketball is ballet with a backboard.
Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with Bill
Laimbeer or Ricky Mahorn when a shot goes up. Not exactly Swan
Lake out there
But your brand of aggussive basketball is a
winner.
I know that bump-and-run style has given the Pistons
something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern has told me
about the work you do in the Detroit community -- with Special
Olympics and Muscular Distrophy, and other worthy causes. You
may be the Bad Boys of basketball, but off the court, people see
the kinder, gentler side of the Detroit Pistons.
Now, you can have all the talent in the world, but you can't
win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient:
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Human
Microwave -- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. The Spider
and the Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of
superheroes off the bench.
Then there's the guy without the nickname, MVP Joe Dumars,
the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Here's a man who keeps
quiet, and lets his scoring do the talking. Take Game 3: 21
points in 12 minutes -- sounds more like pinball than basketball.
All of you have accomplished the extraordinary. Some of the
best players in the NBA go an entire career without winning that
ring. It takes a team to win -- talent, drive and dedication
that goes 12 men deep. That's the secret to success of any kind
-- and it's the winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
world champs.
Thank you for visiting today, and once again,
congratulations to you, to the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan.
# # #
PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
6/19/89
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
1000 JULY 19
June 19, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
change
FROM:
DANIEL McGROARTY
/
cu
GB
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
SUBJECT:
DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
6-19 gospm
I. SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 20, 1989, at 11:00 a.m., you will greet the
NBA world champion Detroit Pistons in the Rose Garden.
II. DISCUSSION
The Pistons won the championship in a four game sweep over
the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Your remarks focus on
the coach and key players who made the victory possible.
McGroarty/Dooley
June 16, 1989
6:00 pm
Draft 1
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
Senators Reigle and Levin: welcome. We've got the whole
team from the Michigan Congressional delegation. Commisioner
Stern of the NBA. The unsung heroes -- heroines -- of the
Detroit Pistons: the players' wives.
( (And a special welcome to Bill Laimbeer, who told me back
uber appearing netter we at a political event that
in October he'd see me at the White House in June. Actually,
he
-
Bill was sure the Pistons would be here -- and
he
hoped
)
- not quite n so sure about we.
And to all our guests today: I'm delighted that you've all
joined me here to congratulate the new world champions of
basketball, the Detroit Pistons.
You won the title in style -- four straight, over the
legendary L.A. Lakers. I know you had a special incentive to
make it a sweep. Just think of Chuck Daly's dry cleaning bill
for a seven-game series
Chuck's known as the Dick Clark of the NBA -- 59 going on
29. But don't let those youthful looks fool you. Chuck's waited
30 years for this day -- for a coach's dream come true.
He's got a team loaded with talent -- and determination. No
team goes a full 82 games and into the playoffs without a few
injuries along the way. The Pistons were no exception. The
difference is that somehow the Pistons managed to keep all the
spells
a1
parts in working order. Isiah Thomas played hurt -- played hard
-- with a broken hand the past, two months. Credit a couple of
championship-sized assists to your trainer and team physician:
Pronunciations
)
Mike Abdenour and Dr. Benjamin Paolucci.
Someone once said basketball is ballet with a backboard.
Whoever it was definitely wasn't under the boards with Bill
Laimbeer or Rick Mahorn when a shot goes up. Not exactly Swan
Lake out there
But your brand of bump-and-run basketball is
a winner.
I know that your aggressive style has given the Pistons
something of a reputation. But Commissioner Stern has told me
about the work you do in the Detroit community -- with Special
Olympics and Muscular Distrophy, and other worthy causes. You
may be the Bad Boys of basketball, but off the court, people see
the kinder, gentler side of the Detroit Pistons.
)
Now, you can have all the talent in the world, but you can't
win it all unless you've got that one special ingredient:
nicknames. And the Pistons have some league-leaders. The Human
Microwave -- Vinnie Johnson. He heats up in a hurry. The Spider
and the Worm -- John Salley and Dennis Rodman -- a couple of
superheroes off the bench.
Then there's the guy without the nickname, MVP Joe Dumars,
the pride of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Here's a man who keeps
quiet, and lets his scoring do the talking. Take Game 3: 21
points in 12 minutes -- sounds more like pinball than basketball.
All of you have accomplished the extraordinary. Some of the
best players in the NBA go an entire career without winning that
ring. It takes a team to win -- talent, drive and dedication
that goes 12 men deep. That's the secret to success of any kind
-- and it's the winning formula that made the Detroit Pistons
world champs.
Thank you for visiting today, and once again,
congratulations to you, to the City of Detroit and the State of
Michigan.
# # #
FICE
REMARKS: DETROIT PISTONS VISIT
THE ROSE GARDEN
JUNE 20, 1989
11:30 A.M.
SENATORS REIGLE AND LEVIN, MEMBERS OF THE MICHIGAN
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. COMMISSIONER STERN OF THE
NBA. THE UNSUNG HEROES -- HEROINES -- OF THE DETROIT
PISTONS: THE PLAYERS' WIVES. PISTONS OWNER BILL
DAVIDSON, AND THE D.C. POLICE Boys AND GIRLS CLUB:
WELCOME TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
- 2 -
((AND A SPECIAL WELCOME TO BILL LAIMBEER, WHO TOLD
ME BACK IN OCTOBER WHEN APPEARING WITH ME AT A
POLITICAL EVENT THAT HE'D SEE ME AT THE WHITE HOUSE IN
JUNE. ACTUALLY, BILL WAS SURE HE WOULD BE HERE -- NOT
QUITE so SURE ABOUT ME.))
AND TO ALL OUR GUESTS TODAY: I'M DELIGHTED THAT
YOU'VE ALL JOINED ME HERE TO CONGRATULATE THE NEW WORLD
CHAMPIONS OF BASKETBALL, THE DETROIT PISTONS.
- 3 -
You WON THE TITLE IN STYLE -- FOUR STRAIGHT, OVER
THE LEGENDARY L.A. LAKERS. I KNOW YOU HAD A SPECIAL
INCENTIVE TO MAKE IT A SWEEP. JUST THINK OF CHUCK
DALY'S DRY CLEANING BILL FOR A SEVEN-GAME SERIES
CHUCK'S KNOWN AS THE DICK CLARK OF THE NBA -- 59
GOING ON 29. BUT DON'T LET THOSE YOUTHFUL LOOKS FOOL
YOU. CHUCK'S WAITED 35 YEARS FOR THIS DAY -- FOR A
COACH'S DREAM COME TRUE.
- 4 -
HE'S GOT A TEAM LOADED WITH TALENT -- AND
DETERMINATION. No TEAM GOES A FULL 82 GAMES AND INTO
THE PLAYOFFS WITHOUT A FEW INJURIES ALONG THE WAY. THE
PISTONS WERE NO EXCEPTION. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT
SOMEHOW THE PISTONS MANAGED TO KEEP ALL THE PARTS IN
WORKING ORDER. ISIAH THOMAS PLAYED HURT -- PLAYED
HARD -- WITH A BROKEN HAND THE PAST TWO MONTHS.
- 5 -
CREDIT A COUPLE OF CHAMPIONSHIP-SIZED ASSISTS TO YOUR
TRAINER AND TEAM PHYSICIAN: MIKE ABDENOUR
[AB DEH NOWER] AND DR. BENJAMIN PAOLUCCI.
SOMEONE ONCE SAID BASKETBALL IS BALLET WITH A
BACKBOARD. WHOEVER IT WAS DEFINITELY WASN'T UNDER THE
BOARDS WITH BILL LAIMBEER OR RICK MAHORN [MAH-HORN]
WHEN A SHOT GOES UP. NOT EXACTLY SWAN LAKE OUT
THERE
BUT YOUR BRAND OF BUMP-AND-RUN BASKETBALL IS
A WINNER.
- 6 -
I KNOW THAT YOUR AGGRESSIVE STYLE HAS GIVEN THE
PISTONS SOMETHING OF A REPUTATION. BUT COMMISSIONER
STERN HAS TOLD ME ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO IN THE DETROIT
COMMUNITY -- WITH SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND MUSCULAR
DYSTROPHY, AND OTHER WORTHY CAUSES. You MAY BE THE BAD
Boys OF BASKETBALL, BUT OFF THE COURT, PEOPLE SEE THE
KINDER, GENTLER SIDE OF THE DETROIT PISTONS.
- 7 -
Now, YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE TALENT IN THE WORLD, BUT
YOU CAN'T WIN IT ALL UNLESS YOU'VE GOT THAT ONE SPECIAL
INGREDIENT: NICKNAMES. AND THE PISTONS HAVE SOME
LEAGUE-LEADERS. THE MICROWAVE -- VINNIE JOHNSON. HE
HEATS UP IN A HURRY. THE SPIDER AND WORM -- JOHN
SALLEY AND DENNIS RODMAN -- A COUPLE OF SUPERHEROES OFF
THE BENCH.
- 8 -
THEN THERE'S THE GUY WITHOUT THE NICKNAME, MVP JOE
DUMARS [DOO-MARS], THE PRIDE OF LAKE CHARLES,
LOUISIANA. HERE'S A MAN WHO KEEPS QUIET, AND LETS HIS
SCORING DO THE TALKING. TAKE GAME 3: 21 POINTS IN 12
MINUTES -- SOUNDS MORE LIKE PINBALL THAN BASKETBALL.
ALL OF YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE EXTRAORDINARY. SOME
OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE NBA GO AN ENTIRE CAREER
WITHOUT WINNING THAT RING. IT TAKES A TEAM TO WIN --
TALENT, DRIVE AND DEDICATION THAT GOES 12 MEN DEEP.
- 9 -
THAT'S THE SECRET TO SUCCESS OF ANY KIND -- AND IT'S
THE WINNING FORMULA THAT MADE THE DETROIT PISTONS WORLD
CHAMPS.
THANK YOU FOR VISITING TODAY, AND ONCE AGAIN,
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, TO THE CITY OF DETROIT AND THE
STATE OF MICHIGAN.
# # #