Do not let the images of that smile from that era fool you. Thomas had a quiet demeanour, superb basketball-handling skills, a high basketball IQ, and a killer smile that could light up any arena. Isiah Thomas has been improperly crowned as the “Bad Boys’” leader, a fact that Thomas embraced, even though Laimbeer was the driving force behind the team’s gang-like persona. At most, a flagrant foul, would result in a controversial play involving Laimbeer, but when the team needed a key basket, a big-time three-pointer, Laimbeer came through for the team. True, Laimbeer handed out hard, aggressive fouls, when necessary, but also consider that during that time, the NBA rules allowed for many of Laimbeer’s tactics. A label that Laimbeer wore proudly.Īt nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds per game, Laimbeer should have been remembered as one of the team’s best players, but instead is often referred to as the leader of the “dirtiest” team in basketball. Bill Laimbeerīill Laimbeer was the main catalyst for why the team earned their reputation as dirty, or too rough. Rodman’s outstanding rebounding abilities and defensive instincts were key contributors to the Pistons’ back to back titles. Rodman relentlessly chased down every loose ball, grabbed every rebound, blocked any and every shot that he could, all so that the team could win.ĭennis Rodman’s defense and ability to play all 5 positions on the court made him an immeasurable asset to that squad. It is no coincidence that he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice (1990, 1991). Rodman, Laimbeer, and Thomas, quickly became the poster boys of the “Bad Boys”. Other players would play key roles coming off of the bench, but the team was labelled as “too physical” mainly because of these players.Įach of those individuals brought toughness and a championship spirit in their own way, but collectively, they appeared unbeatable at times. The Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” was composed mainly of Bill Laimbeer, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, and Joe Dumars. This is the celebration and truth about the Detroit “Bad Boys” Pistons. It is time for a new story to be written. Critics and detractors of those championship teams for their “tough” style of play have created a narrative that disrespects and under celebrates one of the NBA’s greatest champions of all time. Why not? Statistically “The Bad Boys” were in the top 10 in many offensive and defensive categories. The Detroit Pistons, specifically, the self-proclaimed “Bad Boys” era, won back to back titles, yet are hardly mentioned in the same breath as past and current champions. With winning, comes a certain amount of respect, prestige, and celebration of the team’s accomplishments, usually. In the NBA, many teams have won the coveted Larry O’Brien trophy. It is a long, hard, difficult, challenging, struggle, but well worth it all once the team is crowned as the league’s best.
Try likening the journey of a team on a path to winning the championship, to climbing and eventually reaching the top of a mountain. The Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys": Disrespected Instead Of Celebrated One of the most challenging things to do in sports is to win a title.