The 80’s Bad Boys Detroit Pistons - The team that made Michael Jordan the G.O.A.T.

Article by SG Basketball Coach Victor Tan

Michael Jordan will be a nobody without the Detroit Pistons.

Before Michael Jordan won the first of his 6 NBA titles, one particular team gave him fits. They were the Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons. The rough house tactics employed against Jordan, or against all their opponents for that matter, made them arguably the most hated team in the NBA of that era. But people forget how good this Pistons team was. They went to the NBA Finals for three straight years from 1988-1990, winning back to back championships in the latter two years, a feat achieved only by a few franchises. The writer idolised the Detroit Bad Boys growing up.

So how good were these Pistons? First and foremost, they were coached by the late great Chuck Daly, who was also the coach of the first US Dream Team featuring Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and other greats. That mythical team brought the sporting world to its knees in the 1992 Olympics.

Personnel wise, the Bad Boys were led by Hall of Famer point guard, Isiah Thomas, top 50 NBA players of all time. He was the original version of Steph Curry and Kylie Irving combined, with a mean streak and unmatched Basketball IQ. Go check out his plays when he was in his prime and you will get the picture. Partnering him in the back court was Joe Dumars, the quiet shooting guard who at times looked out of place among his more “illustrious” Bad Boys colleagues. He was the Jordan stopper, and MVP In Detroit’s first championship win and represented USA in numerous gold medal winning forays.

Rounding up the team were the guys who gave authentication to their nick name. Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn, John Salley, Vinnie Johnson and James Edwards. Whether it was throwing an elbow, a clothesline, a blatant body check or just the regular head butt, they could do it all. Anything to put the opponents out of rhythm or bait them into retaliating. But make no mistake, they were more than just a gang of court bullies. They could also play ball.

Dennis Rodman was the defensive juggernaut, and he went on to win numerous rebounding titles and even partnered with Jordan later in his career. Bill Laimbeer was the trend setting 3 point shooting center, the stretch 5 we see now in present NBA. Their often used 3 small Guards alignment which emphasised on interchangeable point guards and outside shooting, had other NBA teams scrambling to emulate the Pistons. Their stifling defence and exquisite ball skills overcame the Showtime Lakers, the Clyde Drexler led Portland Trail Blazers in subsequent NBA Finals.

There was no doubt about the ability of this Pistons team. Their last chapter was also the beginning of Jordan’s first. Their “Jordan Rule” ignited his Airness’ fire and once he overcame them, the rest was history.

The infamous “Jordan Rules” by the Pistons - which translates to “take him down whenever he has the ball”