Everybody Played like the Bad Boy Pistons, Its just the Pistons got a Bad rap for it

[@thedefinitionisthis]

"We were Bad Boys..... But we were bad in a different way. We just weren't that good." -- Grant Hill. Classic.

[@jonmolina948]

gothatway09 If he were on the Pistons back in the 80's, they would've toughened him up. He'd have been tripping Pippen, taking Dominique to the floor when he tried to dunk, punching Larry Bird in the mouth, and the first one coming to Isiah's aid when he was getting hacked.

[@Maxphyte]

+jonmolina948 You ever see Grant Hill pissed off? He's a baaaaaad man lol. Look at what he did to Alonzo Mourning when they got into it.

[@jonmolina948]

Maxphyte Yeah, when he's pissed off. The Pistons back in the day were punching people, elbowing people coming across the lane and tackling people going up for a lay up. It was just part of their routine. I'll give props to Grant Hill, he was aggressive and a lot tougher than Lebron or anybody playing today especially with all the injuries he played through.

[@t100base]

grant hill is bad

[@jazzcritic3587]

Rob C “Maybe it was the new jersey’s” - Grant Hill

[@KKsoydoy]

Kenny needs to let people finish what they're saying for once before interrupting them every god damn time.

[@mastermillz8486]

hell yeah he never shuts the fuck up

[@DeathBringer769]

That stuff gets annoying, when you're talking to someone and they think they have already perfectly predicted the rest of what you're going to say so they interrupt you... to repeat themselves, or say something inane. It's like dude, maybe I was going somewhere with that you DIDN'T expect, just maybe, so just maybe let me finish? Lol. Some people man...

[@RampartPh]

damn right.

[@thejaycotti]

lol but Reggie Miller might be worse

[@eboooo]

Sometimes Kenny really helps though. His add on to when they were talking about Mark Price or Mookie Blaylock were really helpful and insightful.

[@eboooo]

You can tell Steve was touched as a youth by Isiah it's really beautiful.

[@joshnaround_9463]

lol I totally read that the wrong way

[@eboooo]

jairo tovah omg

[@chongxina1387]

It's true. Ask magic.

[@JMS1089]

they had an identity, they created a culture of toughness, and they were winners. what more could you say?

[@eyebelieve3]

Hitler had an identity too.

[@bradleybrown8399]

They were dicks. There's that.

[@jaypatel7426]

Dirty players

[@vishnuprakash81]

@@bradleybrown8399 The Boston celtics werw as rough as them So they were dicks too, i guess

[@bradleybrown8399]

@@vishnuprakash81 it's called fighting back. It wasn't some slogan the Celtics blathered about.

[@PistolKev]

kenny need to stop interrupting isiah, because hes the gum under my shoes compared to isiah

[@IanLEAU]

Kenny had great points though. He articulated what Isaiah was talking about and even found space to find counter arguments.

[@invisiblesun6595]

Great. But he could stand to stop interrupting just a little and let someone else talk.

[@New__TranZ__Order]

Yeah sometimes Kenny does come off a bit condescending, and Isiah got ran over like he always does. Speak against Michael Jordan and they'll shut you up and embarrass you- they always confront Isiah with not having gotten over something, it used to be not getting over the Bulls beating them but he responded with he beat them first, three times in a row, now they say he's not over the dream team, my god, they're worst than politicians!!!!

[@FireAngelChris]

Will forever respect this bad boys piston teams of the 80s and early 90s to me they where never appreciated enough

[@justafanintexas7913]

How do you appreciate dirty play?

[@mdubg23]

justafanintexas who didn't play dirty?

[@justafanintexas7913]

Dreyden - Played against Bird in college and he was dirty when provoked. Other than that, he got into cute mischief like hooking his finger into your shorts and pulling when you jumped - you were always wary after that.

[@eyebelieve3]

There are many reasons for that. If you had played against them you wouldn't respect them.

[@eyebelieve3]

You just need to look at the respect the pros give each other, Thomas doesn't get the same love the other big names have for each other at all. Cause..... effect! Bird didnt try and cause you inury. You think Magic would have love for Bird if he was a cheap dirty player. There are levels, and Thomas was way down there with the worst dirt.

[@jeremyellismusic]

Grant Hill quote at the end. Hilarious.

[@MrAitraining]

Yeah, Isiah is right. The whole league was physical then but Kenny just ruins this clip - and it's Isiah he's interrupting. Great topic, Brutal to listen to....

[@terrytriplett9562]

true

[@razkable]

the pistons didnt win cause of physicality..they got inside your head...they scared you....and they had the best 8 guys put together since the 60's celtics...the 80's lakers every year had a 8 man squad as good as any ever too...there hasnt been a 8 man squad as good as the pistons in terms of talent and bench since them in 1990...they didnt have a big 3 or 2 guys who could get 30 but they had 2 stars in thomas dumars and 6 really good players...legit good...edwards lambier salley aguire rodman vinny jonhson...incredible roster a lot of teams rely on 6 and have 7 not 8....

[@DeathBringer769]

The physicality is what put the lasting psychological damage into your head though. You were always worried/thinking about the next time Laimbeer was going to crush you into the paint, or Rodman was going to grab at your feet and trip you up, etc... The physical punishment you DID receive was what put the constant psychological worry in your head about the possible NEXT time you're going to get hit, and that can throw your mental game completely off for the rest of the game once you start constantly being paranoid of everything at every second.

[@rg-rz3kv]

Larry Bird has said before that he had no problem with Mahorn’s physical way of play BUT he said Laimbeer tried to actually injure and hurt players e.g. break/twist players ankles which is whats wrong. Being physical is fine so I don’t mind the Piston bad boys except for Laimbeer coz other players have said he had an intent of hurting/injuring players which is taking it too far imo not cool

[@edmerc92]

@@rg-rz3kv Bird's so full of it. His Celtics were dirty as hell.

[@allisknu11]

Can Kenny learn to not cut anyone off when they're talking? Sheesh.

[@irodneyjenkins]

why is kenny talking?

[@DemonDriver31]

Mj said it best "they made us great i dont think we could ve won 6 rings without getting over the hump in detroit".

[@tonyjames1953]

Pistons played the game like men, and a bunch of whiners complained because they were actually that good!

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

Even as a Celtics fan, I love the Bad Boy Pistons. They played real ball

[@IanLEAU]

It was completely unfamiliar to people back in the 80s to see that type of play, they weren't scared of it but they had their doubts about the process. People don't accept the things they don't know, they're quick to dismantle things and at the same time there's an inevitable conflict from that process. The Bad Boys was a brand that claimed that style of play as it's own. They took sovereignty over an aggressive agenda and infused that within their culture as Pistons. It was something strange to be proud of so people didn't like it, but it was definitely something worth talking about. Kind of reminds you of how you feel after watching a Spike Lee joint, it can confuse you and anger you, but at the same time theres a sense of truth in there that you can't ignore.

[@williecumberlander2647]

I remember Isaiah coming to the hood on springle playing ball between Mack and Charlevoix Eastside Detroit.

[@backrack01]

As fans... We are use to it in Detroit. Been that way since I was born in 79. If u come here to play... Do what the Bad Boys did. Embrace it and just do it better.

[@detroitlboogie3679]

Bad Boys for life!!!!!

[@eyebelieve3]

No Dream Team status is for life too.

[@SPtheGREAT]

"Every BIG GUY thought that HE HAD THE RIGHT to HIT ME...I'm like THAT'S NOT WORKING!!!" I LOVE IT!!!

[@Who_You]

Bad Boys...best team to watch. Physical, dominant.....never loved a team like them since.

[@razkable]

Aguire thomas dumars lambier Rodman edwards vinny salley.....they were loaded...

[@doodooclowney1518]

Kenny Smith needs to shut up. Good lord.

[@jeraldvincentzumel5300]

Does Kenny ever shut up?

[@Isaac-mk3wj]

Damn Kenny needs to shut up he thinks he's an NBA legend lol

[@MrYoumitube]

He was the guy placing himself in a fantasy All-star team, and he sitting next to McHale,Barkley,Shaq & Reggie.

[@elnardowebster2842]

gothatway09 that's accurate. But let's not forget that, as a starter, he played (and won) two NBA Finals. In game 1 of 1995 Finals, he tied the game with a last second three, after setting an NBA record for threes. There have been many players comparable to Kenny Smith, but few of 'em have shone when it mattered the most, so let's give this to good ole Kenny.

[@Isaac-mk3wj]

Elnardo Webster but the criticism he gets is not because he was a bad player, but because he was a role player on a team where he was easily the 4th or 5th option

[@elnardowebster2842]

he wasn't a role player. A role player is someone you use in some stretches of the game because you need that particular skill right now (D, 3s, ecc) For example matt bonner is a role player. Steve kerr was a role player. Kenny Smith has been a starter throughout his career. Yes, easily the 4th or 5th option, but definetely not a role player.

[@elnardowebster2842]

Steve Kerr started 30 games out of 910, and never in the playoffs. Smith started 68 playoff games out of 68. The Jet was a baller. Kerr was a role player.

[@e.a9531]

Back when sports were real

[@pinalloy6505]

Yes

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

It wasn't about being dirty, it was about winning. The Pistons were 100% committed to winning. They all played defense, they didn't care about minutes or touches, they didn't need a coach to play hard and they stayed together during some heartbreaking years. When I see today's players jump ship and change teams for easy championships, I think about Isiah Thomas. Nothing he's done since can diminish my respect for his heart.

[@eyebelieve3]

Well, many others dont have much respect for him. "You can impede, you can't break their jaw" Thats says it all really. He could have been up there with Bird, Magic and Jordan. Instead he is an outcast, no real respect from the other greats that played against each other fairly.

[@daveconleyportfolio5192]

@@eyebelieve3 Your reality is from ESPN and Nike. Enjoy it.

[@eyebelieve3]

@@daveconleyportfolio5192 Well, at least i have a reality! :D You keep weaving your own tale.

[@jimries625]

So good

[@timothymayo312]

Basketball at that time was foottball on the court. Love it

[@dougdoug9268]

THE GOLDEN ERA, BRING THEM BACK

[@mobetta2092]

Bad Boys got a bad rap because they defeated the NBA darlings Celtics, Lakers, and Bulls. Had the Bad Boys lost and one of those teams I mentioned would've won in 1989 and/or 1990, mainstream history would've remembered the Bad Boys as adorably physical competitors who eventually lost to NBA royalty...ya know, kinda like the 90s Pacers, Knicks, Heat, and Jazz.

[@Kxlwvss]

wtf the topic ain't over yet. why the video ended?

[@AhmedAli-bz1vp]

Isiah never ages mane

[@wpl8275]

In the 80's the NBA played physical basketball. If you didn't, you lost. The 84 Pistons could score a lot of points but their defense was not physical. They got scored on a lot. So they changed to take advantage of the rules at the time. Then when they won, the NBA decided they wanted pretty basketball. They wanted Michael Jordan to score 35 a night without any problems. They chose him and the Bulls over the Pistons. A free and open style of play over hard and physical. And it started the league on a downward slide. The expansion of the league and the change in rules to remove tough physical defense has led to the current league we have today. A non physical, three point shooting league. Basically how All-Star games are played. Shoot a bunch of threes. Get long rebounds. Fast break dunks. Video game basketball. In that process the soul of the game was lost. The 80's NBA was a man's league. You earned baskets. You earned respect. In today's league you stand behind the three point line waiting for a pass so you can launch from distance. No one gets up on you because they might foul you and get you to the line for 3 shots. So they let you shoot without any real hindrance. To paraphrase Allen Iverson, "That's practice. Not a game". That's a shoot around. Real competition requires defense. When you can perform in the face of tough physical defense then you are a great player. When you can only perform without tough physical defense then you are more like a dancer. A performer. But it doesn't make you a great player. Great player's play through adversity. Performers put on a show.

[@choncoconcos5912]

You couldn't have said it better 👏👏👏

[@jimries625]

Wow. Ur good

[@DeathBringer769]

Other teams wanted to play like that back in that era but the Pistons were the best at actually doing it, executing it, actually BEING the Bad Boys. Other teams just kind of pretended or got gun-shy when they actually saw his Airness instead of brutally attacking him on the court.

[@eyebelieve3]

Brutally attacking isnt part of the sport. Thats why they get such bad rev and no respect. Others might have played hard, but there is a big differece. This Thomas bitch is like the kid crying wolf.

[@ericwall3526]

Dont be apologizing! Your a champ.

[@maxfight0701]

Back then when basketball was men's sports.

[@jeffhughes4422]

Those were the days! Don't take shit off nobody.....

[@richardlorith8256]

I loved the Bad Boy Pistons

[@hardspumoni6940]

The NBA still hates the Pistons.

[@raja0011987]

I think media and public at that time accepted only 2 teams Lakers and Celtics. There was the third force that was unacceptable by all specially the story tellers, news writers and broadcasters who were themselves lakers and Celtics fans.

[@jp3813]

Sixers

[@fortyforfree]

Detroit had a little dynasty in between the Celtics Lakers and Bulls. Didn't they go to the finals three times in a row.

[@BBBYpsi]

+Iceburgg Slimm They reached the eastern finals 5 straight years & finals 3 straight years that is a really good dynasty.

[@BBBYpsi]

+ConGreen Yep Celtics were just as physical & dirty. But they were media darlings. Bird was in more fights then any piston ever was & threw more punches then anyone from the Pistons. He usually threw the first punch. But media will not point that out. Most classy player Celtics had was McHale.

[@jp3813]

BBBYpsi To be fair, there's a reason why the Pistons weren't media darlings, and that's b/c of their behavior off the court. Remember when they said that if Bird is black, he'd just be another guy? Well, Bird actually helped them put those words behind them by announcing that he's not bothered by it while alongside Isiah.

[@jameslawson2663]

Bad rap? That was one of greatest teams ever

[@thsu8]

Why is the panel for this discussion Isiah Thomas and 6 of the softest guys from the 80s/90s?

[@johnnyblingg]

Grant Hill? You smoking lol

[@bruce9080]

Broo you were smoking some good crack...Grant??

[@maggot866]

Sometimes we need this kind of rough play. Stupid ass flopping everywhere. At least going against this team you would have an actual reason to flop.

[@MissCaramelKitty]

That's why I miss the NBA of the 80's and 90's. Yea I hated the Piston's and the Knick's(Bulls fan), but it was great to watch these guys go at it. The defensive that they put into each and every game was phenomenal. I would have hated to play the Piston's knowing I had to go up against Laimbeer and Mahorn.

[@sonicthehedgehog3162]

Caramel Kitty Laimbeer Would've Gotten Destroyed By Undertaker's Raw Power And Brute Strength

[@MissCaramelKitty]

@Sonic if we're talking about Undertaker the wrestler, then Bill would haven gotten laid out and lost all his Sonic coins. Lol!!!!

[@sonicthehedgehog3162]

LOL!!!! Undertaker Would've Nailed Him

[@DreMurf313]

As much as I love Bill Laimbeer-- you're correct. The Phenom would've tombstoned the f**k outta Bill Laimbeer, LMAO. UNDERTAKER, 1 BILL LAIMBEER, 0

[@kingthanos4964]

steve smith = grant hill

[@WillJM81280]

Kenny obviously feels inferior sitting amongst HOF’s, he has to constantly make sure everyone knows he’s there. No, Kerr is not a HOF, but he played with the GOAT so he’s part of the Bulls teams that also add to Kenny’s insecurity bc no one talks about the Rockets in the 90’s, just the Bulls.

[@FreezeIzGawd0517]

😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂👆🏾😂 You can call Kenny many things but insecure is NOT one of them. Kenny is a baller. It’s funny people forget that

[@ThePistonsExclusive]

MJ's face is priceless. Lol

[@New__TranZ__Order]

He was always the privileged pussy ass diva, and his face was even more priceless the year before as tears filled his eyes lmaooooooooo!!!!

[@eyebelieve3]

@@New__TranZ__Order Did you see his face in 98 though? :D

[@New__TranZ__Order]

@@eyebelieve3 HE WAS VERY GRATEFUL TO DAVID STERN AFTER BEATING AN INFERIOR TEAM WITH ONE LESS HALL OF FAMER WHILE HAVING HIS OWN DYNASTY- YEAH I REMEMBER OT LIKE YESTERDAY!!!!

[@salbahe.1749]

@@New__TranZ__Order HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@ashonpar3]

ISIAH IS A great AMONG GREATS

[@justafanintexas7913]

Until he fucked with MJ and got left off the Olympic team, eh? The Big Possum walks late.

[@crispyasfuck2856]

justafanintexas what the fuck does that mean

[@justafanintexas7913]

Burnzcash - You're a real student of the game, eh? Isiah organized a freeze-out in the All-Star Game against Jordan. Jordan bided his time and waited. Pay it forward to Barcelona, where Pippen was not on the Olympic team nor did Jordan want to play. Nike talked Jordan into going to Europe to help promote Nike. Joe Dumars and Zeke were on the team, coached by Pistons coach, Chuck Daly. Jordan said he would play with two provisos - Pistons out; Pippen and I in. Get it now? (I doubt it.)

[@DreMurf313]

F**k the 1992 Dream Team! That tournament in Barcelona didn't even have worth while competition. That team had 3 champions & the rest were bums! Barkley= bum, Ewing=bum, Stockton & Malone=bums R us!🤣, David Robinson=Soft bum Chris Mullin=bum OUTTA rehab Christian Lattener=College Champ, NBA role playing bum Scottie Pippen=Bitch 🤣🤣🤣 Nuff said...

[@mysterion5136]

@@DreMurf313 Clyde the Glyde?

[@SheriffChuck81-qq5vq]

You can't walk around being proud to be the "Bad Boys" and then cry when the consequences come to you. Claiming you were just like other teams after the fact.

[@paletangitau1247]

The Detroit Bad Boys Pistons were a tough team

[@parkwayplaza]

... because Pistons went against NBA darling MJ. NBA was hyping him to be GOAT since then. They were labeled Bad Boys to make Jordan a hero who took them down when they were old and past their prime.

[@jimries625]

Yep

[@Gnofg]

They were not past their prime and watch Lambeer closely. He always went for the head. No one minds physicality if you go for the ball but he didn't. Lambeer submarined Ewing. Do you think that is good basketball? I remember when a guy submarined me and I said to him if you ever do that again I will punch you in the mouth and he was a friend. You must have not played if you think this was good. I have watched every NBA finals since 1965. No one did this. Secondly, the Pistons are the least respected champs of all time. Lambeer was blackballed out of the league and never got a head coaching job. At least Thomas has shown some contrition and was welcomed back in to the NBA fold. Watch Lambeer today and you see a bitter old man. You know deep down that not getting a head coaching job bugs the shit out of him.

[@stevens1-o7s]

Wow never would have thought Rodman never threw one punch in his career, he really was the worm. Piss the guy he's defending off but then let the guy get in trouble

[@massdagod]

For the record, he’s lying. Rodman threw 2 Punches at Jordan on two different occasions.

[@Retroman265]

The real one who got snubbed was Isaiah Thomas

[@nicasiosaavedra8840]

you can impede but you cant break their jaw. LOL

[@eyebelieve3]

Says it all really.

[@denisewilliams8708]

Why is Kenny talking so much

[@SS-sp7rx]

Grant hill is hilarious

[@criticalmass613]

Listening to Kenny Smith judge Isiah is like listening to Vanilla Ice judge Chuck D

[@frankleungwolf]

Isiah’s Bad Boys Pistons is no doubt one of the greatest NBA teams ever. And the rules back then allowed them to be what they were, tough and rough. Still, doesn’t cover the fact that they took physical intimidation to the limit and dirty as shit.

[@salbahe.1749]

Team trash lmao

[@draven_kx7]

Bad Boys!!! I love that team

[@williamhaynes4800]

Still got ALL the Bad Boys paraphernalia that was available. It's all cased and displayed on the walls of my Mancave.

[@ConjahConj]

lol grant hill, funny bloke.

[@davidbehman4836]

Why did you cut it off? I would have like to have heard what Grant said.

[@Daz555Daz]

Different era like any sport. For those who wish for the old days...please remember that guys like Steph get to play in today's game....that is no bad thing.

[@PorkFrog]

+Daz555Daz Steph Curry would get to play in any era...the skill set translates to any era...the old days were just a more entertaining brand of ball, for several reasons...one that never occured to me until yesterday is that the game nowadays is so perimeter oriented, the wide, distant camera shot is all that really works now...I was watchng Philly circa 1982 yesterday, and because the focus used to be on the paint and getting as close a shot as possible, you had these great close-up shots--not replays, but live action, where you felt like you were on the court setting a pick...today's customary longer range shot constantly showing the all-important 3 point line is boring by comparison also they kept a much looser leash on players, so physical play and fights and the tension they create added an atmosphere of danger that's not there today, trash-talking, fights, close-up footage...it was just more entertaining then nowadays where you can literally get a T for just looking at a guy I believe 'The malice in the Palace' with players and fans fighting mid-game freaked the league out so they just repress all the personality and rougher play in fear of such incidents: you got a cash cow, you want NO bad press and ugly incidents to mess up the cash flow the old animosity and trash-talking of a Bird or Jordan just made the game more fun, but overall, I do believe the average skill level of players is better today...and due to the use of the 3, which started in the 1980's, a whole generation has grown up with the 3, and so practiced it when young and we have a crop of MUCH better outside shooters

[@greatriffishere]

+Joe Johnson Steph would have got his ass beat literally,they would make him think twice about the 3 point shot and when he wen't to the rim the would mug him.Steph would of had a injury plagued career in the 80's,hell his ankles are bad in 2016 and u can't even cough on steph curry without a foul being called.

[@PorkFrog]

greatriffishere How would they 'make him think twice about the outside shot'? If he doesn't have trouble getting a look now in perimeter-oriented league how would they trouble him in a paint-league? as a big fan of and regular current watcher of 80's ball, most 3's were barely contested at all they WANTED you to settle for long-range jumpers as far as Curry getting roughed up, no doubt he'd endure more contact since more was allowed,,,but little driving guards were everywhere, from Norm Nixon to Mo Cheeks to Tiny to Isiah...all smaller than Curry as far as Curry's durability...who knows? that's why they call it conjecture

[@realitybites629]

+Joe Johnson pistons enforcers like mahorn, rodman and laimbeer won't hesitate to slam anyone to the ground to prevent an easy basket. they will slap your arm till it's sore or till they get in to foul trouble. you saw how Curry struggled against the cavs in a series, how much more against the pistons,.. shooters like Larry bird struggled against the pistons. it don't matter where you shoot, if you are the leading scorer, you will definitely feel the most pain against the pistons,.

[@Aaron-ic5ld]

Bad Boys are the greatest team of all time

[@eyebelieve3]

lol good one!

[@textmachine09]

"no harm, no foul"

[@kristianpomida8259]

I brinh this up everytime. They weren't the only rough team in their era. Celtics were. remember McHale clotheslining Rambis in the air? Lakers also were remember when Kareem headlocked a player to the ground. 76ers were. Remember when charles held larry so Dr J could hit him? Lol i could go on

[@rafikz77]

Charles was trying to separate them , and Larry confirmed it

[@FreezeIzGawd0517]

THANK YOU 😊 Because Jordan is soooo BELOVED the story has not be changed to HE WAS THE ONLY ONE GETTING HIT. NO EVERYBODY GOT IT BACK THEN

[@MiguelRodriguez-nd6xy]

It's not the rough physicality. It was the trying to hurt others.

[@88smjls]

Isaiah never thought Jordan would explode and become what he did. Now he has to live with that for the rest of his life.

[@DreMurf313]

Nah, actually Zeke knew Jordan was gonna be "that force eventually no one would be able to stop". That's why they played him so physical & even dirty. They knew once the Bulls were ready their would be no stopping MJ. Example-- John Salley said in an interview how he, Chuck Daly, & a few other Pistons went to NY in 1990 (after the Pistons went back 2 back) where the NBA had a basketball expose. Inside they had pictures of NBA CHAMPIONS OF PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE. & you know what the funny part was? "They had pictures of Magic & the Lakers, Bird & the Celtics, Jordan & the Bulls--- BUT NOT ONE PICTURE OF THE DETROIT PISTONS!! (who just became 2 time champions!) LMAO, true story. Seeing this, the Pistons knew there time was coming to an end. The league was ready for Michael, the World wanted to see Michael, but the Pistons were the only thing in the way of that happening. So when they got swept in 1991 & the whole "walk past the Bulls & not shake their hand" (except John Salley, Joe Dumars, Chuck Daly, & a few bench riders) really bit a chunk outta Isiah' s legacy because out of all his accomplishments the main thing that stands out is the infamous Piston walk off, smh. Which led to the 1992 DREAM TEAM OMISSION led by ....."not Michael" but his old friend MAGIC JOHNSON!! Alot of people didn't know that but it's the truth.

[@Sizdothyx]

Yeah, everyone played it rough. However, Bill Laimbeer knowingly gave Larry's lower back cheap shots with full knowledge of how bad his back was in the late 80s--and this was their GAME PLAN. Everyone played rough and tumble, but the Pistons were literally targeting physical weaknesses like bad ankles, recovering thigh twists and the like. They got a bad rep because they didn't play rough, they played with cheap shots in full view of the television audience. Isaiah Thomas will never admit he gave Laimbeer the idea to body bump Larry right where it hurt or smack Kareem's head around. Great team, but built on cheap shots from the ground up.

[@beefburger_burger]

olajuwon should replace kenny... i think he thinks like a legend

[@MrZillaman73]

Just depends how physical you think the game should be played..Gentlemanly or NFL style??

[@eyebelieve3]

There are limits though. They crossed the limit line.

[@tolicelawrence461]

I totally agree with everything Isaiah Thomas said 👏

[@davidbehman4836]

Brent Barry and Steve Kerr’s comments were beyond obnoxious. They don’t deserve to be on the same set as Isiah.

[@columbusohio72]

Just like going to court saying everybody steals from that store. Can you drop my case?

[@bradpote2446]

How many Players did the Bad Boys actually hurt ? Zero...

[@massdagod]

Brad Pote you can’t look that up, but there are plenty of players that they’ve injured. They played dirty. Just because you seen like 4 or 5 highlight clips of them in the playoffs don’t mean the other 600 games they played they didn’t injure people. I know for a fact that injured players to the point where they had to sit out games.

[@Rodanguirus]

Yep, I always hear about how they "intentionally tried to hurt opponents, targeted their injuries, every game, yadda yadda." Everyone constantly brings up the 1991 no-handshake to drag them...wouldn't it be much more damning to bring up all the players whose careers they ended? Unless these people are saying they were CONSTANTLY trying to intentionally injure for years...and were just really, comically bad at it?

[@Lastkingof33]

kenny came after that era. dont think he can relate quite the same to it.

[@matthewdubay1180]

Why would steve kerr joke about thomas not letting go? Wasn't that the discussion?

[@Cakebattered]

The perfect example of the hippocracy are the mid-90s New York Knicks. They used a Bad Boyz style of play and are praised for it. Bring up Bill Laimbeer, and people still talk about him like he's a comic book super villain.

[@eyebelieve3]

LOL you're not fully informed. If the Knicks went to the dirty levels Thomas and his gang did they would be seen the same. Knicks just played hard ad tough, didnt put their foot under yours when your landing after a jumper or target your injured back or ankle or what ever. Its cause and effect. But tell yourself what you like, doesn't mean its true.

[@edwardbacon5394]

What about the big knock on Pippen’s head by Rodman?

[@DreMurf313]

Fuck Scottie

[@tomerickson7889]

There is dirty play, then there is dirty play with intent to hurt. Some of the Pistons played with intent to hurt. There is a difference.

[@jasonwiercinski5250]

Steve Smith wasn't buying what Kenny Smith was trying to sell.

[@jjw238]

The Pistons actually tried to hurt players to win. Dirty team.

[@jayat8070]

Jj W they weren't a dirty team, if you look back at some old footage of other teams playing in that era like the celtics or even the lakers you would see the pistons were just doing what everyone else was doing

[@Gnofg]

@Mark W I have been watching basketball since 1964. Everyone was tough in the eighties. The Pistons especially lambeer were dirty. I though t Mahorn was tough Lambeer had to be dirty because he just was not that good. He would submarine people, try to sprain their ankles by getting underneath their foot. If you look at this game as Jordan faked out James Edwards so badly that Edwards fell guess what Edwards did. He literally used his left hand and grabbed Jordan's ankle and tripped him. That is not basketball and there is no excuse for that.

[@DreMurf313]

NO, Bill Laimbeer & Rick Mahorn tried to beat people up down low. Salley didn't, James Edwards didn't, Mark Aguirre didn't, Vinne Johnson didn't either. Dennis Rodman & Isiah used to pick with & tease Scottie Pippen, 😅LMBO

[@Gnofg]

@Mark W you probably never played or if you did you were the guy we didn't pass because you sucked

[@123slasher.16]

Pat Riley tried to make the Knicks the Bad Boys. However, he had these obstacles to overcome. He had John Starks, who was no Isiah Thomas. He had Chris Childs who was no Joe Dumars. He had Bo Kimble who was no Vinnie Johnson. He had Charles Oakley who was no Dennis Rodman. He had Ken (The Animal) Bannister who was no James Edwards. He had Charles Smith who was no Mark Aguirre. Patrick Ewing would have had better cast mates on Gilligan's Island than he had on Long Island because his guys were scrubs.

[@jimries625]

Wow. Ur good. Real good. Yes! 👏👏

[@arlichar11]

the pistons cant talk their way out of this cause they literally walked past the bulls.. be diffrent if they snuck off other direction .. this was a deep rivalry.. i wouldnt expect a friendly after game salute .. and i never looked at piston disrespect more like walk of shame after getting butt whooped.. be alot difrent if they won and did that ...

[@junior2404]

Being tough and making a reputation out of playing nasty are 2 different things. Look, you won and let's leave it at that. This revisionist history that Isiah likes to engage in is only because he wants to shed the reputation he was very proud of at the time. I "hate" Laimbeer, but he owns it and I respect that.

[@FreezeIzGawd0517]

You do know that the Celtics were every bit as or even more physical than the Pistons right? It’s just for some reason they are embraced for it. I guess you missed Mchale clothes lining Rambis huh? That’s all Isiah is saying. Everybody played hard back then

[@FreezeIzGawd0517]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKucXoqphJmZZ5Y

[@BST-lm4po]

Laimbeer was a little more dirty than most! 😂 But I respect his contribution. He became the 19th player in league history to record both 10,000 pts & 10,000 rebounds! And he had one of the longest consecutive game streaks in history! Lol. Even if it meant wearing that hideous mask,..he still suited up and played the game! After awhile I just thought,.."Damn,...dude came to play!"

[@dwaynewashington8290]

Isiah is the KD of his era…

[@spinner9057]

I can see Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the rest of the Patriots doing something like the Pistons did in 1991.

[@Pksoze]

+Escobar Salvador Belichick actually walked out in SB 42....after they lost with1 second left in the game.

[@thebrotherstillmatic2397]

+Escobar Salvador You mean like what Peyton did right?

[@RandomPlaceHolderName]

@@Pksoze Nah, he congratulated Coughlin before walking out. The refs fucked up and showed the clock at 0 before rolling it back to 01. Everyone thought the game was done.

[@lyndencain8485]

There’re videos,everybody didn’t play that way..in playoffs yes nothing was easy..piston in the 80s was a high scoring team

[@OrionOodama]

Best tip: Watch Open Court episodes WITHOUT Kenny "The Jet" Smith ;)

[@likenem]

Pistons weren't that bad under Hill. They made it to the play offs.

[@New__TranZ__Order]

@ZECTCustomUnit Rodman was already crazy, he got out from Detroit and left behind some serious demons- he tried to commit suicide, he spoke of!!!! Hooked up with Madonna while with the spurs and then next year he won championships with the Bulls, not bad!!!!

[@MegaTroy12]

Dr j era? Doesn't dr j beat up bird? Everybody plays like pistons that time but only pistons got labeled as dirty. Heck boston were dirty too but nobody wants to admit it.

[@eyebelieve3]

There is a massive difference between playing hard and playing dirty.

[@MegaTroy12]

@@eyebelieve3 what are you talking about? Heck even mk said larry bird is dirty as bill laimbeer! Pistons just got a bad rap about it because we tried to kick the lakers and celtics asses and hold jordan reign! Everybody is dirty at that time dont ever try to hide it! Gove the pistons their due!

[@edmerc92]

@@eyebelieve3 Yeah, if you're Larry Bird the golden boy, you're just "playing hard."

[@sul3377]

Yeah they are legit but also dirty as hell

[@outraclasse]

GREAT VID MAN!!!

[@paletangitau1247]

Vinny the microwave Johnson

[@JohnSnowjrjr]

Ssmith highschool is and was one of the thuggish highschool in Detroit 1oo

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

The NBA in the 80's was damned near like the video game, "Arch Rivals". I don't remember it being that physical but maybe it's because I'm older I can see them knocking the living 5H17 out of each other! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpjbmISXfd6ll80

[@MoeJaxon]

3D Scott has a big Head 😁😁😁😂

[@James-zy8nh]

Well Chris Paul did the same thing 😂

[@peat381low8]

Boston knocked the heck out of Kurt Rambis. So it was not only the bad boy Pistons playing dirty. Everyone was dirty.

[@Gnofg]

One time. Find another simiiar incident that the Celtics did.

[@JK-br1mu]

That's a lie, teams in the 80s played physical, the Pistons played dirty. With other teams, dirty plays were occasional. With the Pistons they were constant.

[@TheRealDebussyFarts]

I’ve seen plenty of old footage from the Bad Boy era. Whole games, highlights, documentaries, interviews from guys who played them…NOBODY played like those Pistons. Nobody. Not the Celtics. Not the lakers. Not the bulls. Not even Riley’s Knicks. They were the dirtiest team in NBA history. They modeled their attitude after the Raiders, and brought some of that football physicality to the court. I don’t know why they lie and deflect and act like a sibling who got caught by mommy. They had an incredible run. ECF loss to the Celtics. Followed by a finals appearance where they got screwed. Followed by back to back championships. 4 straight years they were contending. Not many other runs like it. They should be proud of the fact their dirty play got them that success. Don’t hide from it. Embrace it. If it works, it works.

[@Gnofg]

I have watched every NBA finals since 1965 and no one was ever as dirty as the Pistons. Watch lambeer and you will see that he never went for the ball. He always e went for the head. He also submarined Ewing. If you played any basketball then you would know that you don't play like that. The Pistons and Lambeer got their just rewards. They are the least celebrated champion in all of NBA history and Lambeer never got a coaching job in the NBA. The only ones who liked them were Piston fans. Even my friend who was a great athlete and grew up in Michigan loved them then and is pretty disgusted with them now. This guy was invited to the NFL combine, is in the top 10 HR hitters for a single season in MI history and was the PG on his high school team Watch Lambeer today and he is a bitter old man.

[@bconni2]

no. it's just the Pistons "got away with it"

[@DreMurf313]

I really don't mind Kenny talking. He's very articulate. & a intregal part to that back 2 back Houston Rockets championship team.

[@JustNeedaBeerandPark]

Zeke is a con man. Nobody is telling me otherwise

[@draytonwifecooks]

Kerr expressed my sentiments regarding Isaiah.... a joke but very true....