Pistons-Bulls (1989): All Cheap Shots, Altercations, and Techs

For your viewing pleasure, here's a cumulative rundown of all notable and perceivable cheapshots, altercations, and technical fouls from the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals. The Detroit Pistons eliminated the Chicago Bulls in an oftentimes contentious six-game Eastern Conference Finals series in 1989. The Pistons and Bulls faced one another in the playoffs for three consecutive seasons before Chicago finally ousted Detroit in 1991.

[@mockingslur6945]

One of my favorite quotes from Charles Barkley about Chuck Daley coaching the dream team. “He coached in Detroit, and if he could coach those assholes, he can coach anybody.”

[@Charleybones]

Chuck Daly created the Jordan rules too. Don't blame the monster, blame the scientist who created the monster...

[@mockingslur6945]

@@Charleybones I think Daly actually got the Jordan rule’s from a Bull’s teammate. I recently saw a video with John Sally, and he said he had no idea that they were in Jordan’s head like that. They would have done way worse to him had they of known because he still had his number’s statistically.

[@viol8r]

Savage Barkley

[@freeadvice1695]

Chuck speaks truth.

[@kevinkline7242]

One of the announcers was quoted as saying that Chuck Daley's hair got like that was from flying on the outside of the plane.

[@chucknola484]

Scottie Pippen getting dragged off the court by the Ref because his injured body was in the way of the action pretty much sums up old school basketball.

[@fonkamex]

That part is unreal as well as the flying kick in the chest by Rodman. Can you imagine this kind of basketball in today's NBA?

[@ItstheDubsWay307]

@@fonkamex big time punishment

[@soto2185]

So weak dudes get elbowed all the time in this league and get up and play the next play 😂

[@imdontaisbiggesthater6242]

Sounds more like a ufc knockout you just described not basketball

[@GoGetYourShinebox]

@@imdontaisbiggesthater6242 Dramatic much, you must be new gen lol

[@lordrandolf1]

Rodman performed a drop kick and knee combo in mid air!!! And the commentator talked about it like it was no big deal! Now, these were the days of glory!

[@MrBootydaddy]

lmao!!!

[@87Michael]

😅😅

[@don8244]

Because it was unintentional to hitting anybody. Don't get too excited

[@safeandeffectivelol]

@@don8244 Unintentional just like Karl Malone's elbow to Isaiah Thomas. Just a normal part of basketball

[@teresamcgee-vd2uc]

​@@safeandeffectivelolthat Jordan cried about to David Stern. Everybody didn't fear Jordan Jordan feared the " the tough good ole days" 😂😂😂

[@lainiwakura4678]

"Pippen was hit in the face and he's down on the floor. Joe Crawford drags him off and play continues." Yep... that's old school bball alright.

[@23jumpmayne]

❤❤❤❤❤❤🏀

[@23jumpmayne]

Bulls Faithful

[@shadowa4-690]

😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@stefandjurachkovitch8624]

lmao xD

[@UnlimitedProduction1]

No Boys Allowed I miss that era

[@ChiefsKingdom22]

Rodman with the Karate kick and knee... savage af, no foul was called lmao

[@777sicilia]

THE WORM!!!

[@survivaltactics3615]

Rodman a fool for that!!😂😂😂

[@ktpbd2197]

@Cash Quest 4:31 and 4:48 for replay

[@fonkamex]

That flying kick is unreal

[@richbrake9910]

Bad Boys were awesome and rough.

[@Squinn0303]

4:47 Rodman was sky walking. Serious ups

[@ktpbd2197]

Tiota lol

[@jfedol7760]

LMAOOOOOOO

[@AdrianMcCoy-ih9uv]

2:10 the start of the 2nd 3peat!

[@TheDotransporter]

We can thank the Detroit Pistons for the making of Michael Jordan, they force Jordan into super mode.

[@jaredlaws7020]

Lee John facts

[@plugcap2604]

Grizzly Poota L

[@manniesupasport7977]

And Nike too

[@SeanFerree]

For real

[@ronaldmcdonald1977]

And the league to input the Jordan Rule.

[@jamiesmith760]

5:18 YO!! This is one of the best images I've ever seen of how BRUTAL this era was. The referee dragging Pippen's body off the court instead of stopping the play, lollllll. We always talk about the Pistons & Bulls being a war but that actually looks like a wounded soldier getting dragged off a battlefield

[@TyFhoonBoom]

@@brndj6672 he's comparing it to today's game and not actual warfare. stop being a downer.

[@oldermusiclover]

i wish I could remember the name of the team. but there was a collage game fight that went into the stands and fans got involved this was back in the 70's was a nasty fight

[@lightninggaming016]

@@brndj6672 what

[@SunnyHF-nf4bc]

That’s Joe Crawford, too.

[@AbossTheBoss]

@@SunnyHF-nf4bc isnt he the same guy who ejected tim duncan for laughing?

[@chrismassey7563]

I like how they always made their cheap shots look so accidental 😂😂

[@russelljohnson437]

Boy this was in the 80 you still complaining 😂😂😂

[@safeandeffectivelol]

Bill Lamebeer is the only guy in history who falls the opposite direction that he was "pushed" 🤣🤣🤣

[@viperstrike0]

@@russelljohnson437 we watching it now bruv.

[@CWhyNot75]

Laimbeer can go from doling out a cheap shot to "who me?" when the foul is called in the blink of an eye.

[@Slim-p9l]

Professional actors

[@ceciliakaplan6488]

Lambier had the uncanny ability to play the buising bully, then a split second later, play the victim. He could switch back-n-forth faster than you can blink.

[@jay07261986]

That's what bullies do...lol

[@Laneous14]

Yeah he's a pussy who never encountered anyone as big as him. Dollars to donuts he beats his wife when he can't get his little pecker up.

[@lovepeoplehu9883]

Like Draymond

[@deafboricua21]

@@lovepeoplehu9883Allen Grayson comes to mind. I dread that MF.

[@barry-x4v]

if lambeer walked the hoods of chicago and spotted by the boys in the hood he would find himself running for his life/////////i could imagine them all running after lambeer and wearing jordan sneakers and jersey///// he be a sitting duck//quack quack....

[@qwerty6801]

Ref dragged pippen off the court like he was a dead deer in the middle of the road

[@southsideman4891]

LOOOOOOL!!!!

[@kasmot1978]

😀😀😀

[@Anthony-zt1zs]

LOL 😆

[@javianjohnson8746]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@shamamta]

Ref must have been from Michigan.

[@truthteller4442]

After watching this, the fact that Dennis Rodman, John Salley, and James Edwards eventually went on to be Chicago Bulls later in their careers is absolutely mind-blowing. Lol. These teams HATED each other.

[@TL2354]

It’s not mind blowing at all

[@kapo2012fb]

Everybody speaks 🤑🤑🤑

[@leonardoyi3183]

dont forget daly was the coach of jordan and pippen in the dream team...🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@RenzoPeterson153]

Sometimes a strong enemy can become a strong ally.

[@safeandeffectivelol]

Oakley went to the Knicks and so did LJ

[@brettgordon5569]

I think it's funny how Dennis Rodman ended up wearing a Bulls jersey later on in his career.

[@neal6473]

And James Edwards as well 😉👍.

[@sportscoatjunior3689]

@Mr Hansen I know Salley and Buddha Edwards and Rodman in 98 finals

[@justjeph6927]

Funny how? He made sure the ball got out to the guns, and had his ways of keeping it away from the other team..as many as his hair colors lol

[@red23rd]

maybe they felt like they owe Bulls after what they did to them..

[@brettgordon5569]

I just thought that The Worm would have remained loyal to his Pistons from his beginning NBA years with Chuck Daly and the rest of the Bad Boy crew that were fierce rivals of the Bulls in the 80s.

[@Etronics101]

James Harden would have 50 FT’s in this game if he survives

[@theguy9150]

He wouldn’t have survived. Neither the diva with them cramps

[@jahaire31]

You mean he'll retire because they don't give bullshit calls in that era

[@greatomeister675]

Harden would’ve survived. The 90s AIIINNNNTT SHHHIIITT

[@BokuGlack]

The Guy L

[@yhwhfearingguy646]

50? His defender would foul out on the first few stepback 3's. They've never seen that move before.

[@TheDCGuitar13]

Anyone else mesmerized by how zeke was able to get in the pass lane and bounce the ball back into a dribble while running full speed without picking it up? Those little things showed how he was so skilled.

[@northernstar6641]

He sucks

[@barry-x4v]

zeke practiced dribbling the balls like that when he played one on one with the magic man...........

[@hunchodinero-yk2hz]

@@barry-x4vtime stamp?

[@realitybites629]

pippen getting dragged by the referee, after an elbow to the face from laimbeer, out of the court like a wounded soldier in a war LOL,.

[@TheLegend-nm8ji]

Haha insane.

[@crews-lj3ph]

Damn

[@KTF0]

It's a battlefield out there

[@chrisspencer866]

no foul called either

[@southsideman4891]

LOOOOOL!!!!!!!

[@crockerakahops90sjumpmantexas]

I don't mind physicality but you hurt me on purpose we're gonna fight.

[@vamz1214]

faxxx

[@charlierobles316]

Stfu

[@jarenmontaos5195]

That's all mind games man, Except Bill Laimbeer. He's dirty as hell.

[@mikekirkland2487]

Right!

[@dansomman1896]

And thats what they did

[@jayr1404]

Bill Lambeer is a player you hate to play against but you'll love him as a team mate.

[@adamdorgant9454]

True!!!

[@matthewstearns289]

I wouldn't

Hated him at the time but damn, he made the game and I love him now. Wish half court offense returned and the restricted area half moon below the hoop resumed being a free-fire zone.

[@wilsvgaddiction4456]

One of many things I loved about this era is that guys who weren't the fastest or most skilled could still play in the NBA and add value to a team simply by being "enforcers" or hustling for rebounds and loose balls. That part of the game doesn't really exist anymore because everyone is afraid of being hurt.

[@lightninggaming016]

Yup

[@Dr_Footbrake]

they don't exist because they were officiated out of the game

[@doJ79]

Yup, just step back and shoot a 3...boooring!

[@Ntd508]

@@Dr_Footbrake did he even go back asleep in

[@SofaKingClutchh]

what? do you mean players on the court strictly to cause bodily harm?

[@prospectboy]

Oh my goodness that freeze frame on John Sally with the headlock at 4:26 is hilarious lol. 😂😂

[@chrisspencer4093]

Np foul

[@flame-sky7148]

I know and he looks at the camera like, "and this is what we do, got it"

[@godsrebel5805]

These Pistons would be serving 25 to life if they played like this now a days

[@zacka6226]

They'd get a tech just for coming out onto the floor for warm ups.

[@autoaim0335]

As if players today cant do those things if they happened to play in the 90s. 1 thing is for sure, players back then dont have the skills to play in todays game. Rules in the 90s is just defense friendly, but it doesnt mean they have defensive skills. Apparently, casuals think that hard fouls,punching,cheap shots and fighting are called defense

[@levesd3722]

@@autoaim0335 This doesn't change the fact that today there is no defence. The game has become totally boring.

[@autoaim0335]

@@levesd3722 lol, too much delusions on your part. So khawi, gianis, gober, davis never put on a defense? Lol. Like blocks,steals and turnovers were never part of the game today. Common! You glorify the 90s too much you gonna say every stupid things you have in your mind Lol

[@levesd3722]

@@autoaim0335 lol, yeah right. Defense sucks these days and everybody knows it. Expected, you grew up in this circus you don't even know what real basketball is. Lol

[@willbatman5234]

Lambeer was such a d-bag. These games were awesome!!

[@justjeph6927]

I disagree..he made it fun to watch..taught Vlade how to flop lol

[@GarysMoVieCrypT]

Agreed ...big whiner ....although to his credit he had a nice outside shot for a big man!

[@dicktrickle6965]

And any team in the league would have loved to have had him in their uniform.

[@dicktrickle6965]

@ dude Billy Laimbeer is about 60 years old now, and he would STILL kick YOUR ass in about 5 Seconds!

[@kellyjay7448]

Laimbeer has always been a piece of shit. When he was at Notre Dame he used to run up gambling debts that his dad had to pay off. If you watch this video you see nothing but dirty play from this asshole.

[@BosC18]

More physical plays here than the last 5 years.

[@squirrelonatree5920]

*6 years now

[@w2reacts690]

Gtfo

[@thebandseabright]

Not good basketball tho....unwatchable

[@plusEV]

But now they actually play basketball

[@pedrovelasquez5121]

You mean dirty plays

[@kd6701]

It's a trip to see how bitter this rivalry was. And also crazy to see how Edwards, Salley, and Rodman all went on to play for the bitter enemy.

[@familybusiness1417]

They went to play with the GOAT... They got tirwd of being around talentless basketball thug's who were raised by single mothers.

[@robwebnoid5763]

Yep, it's all business pretty much. Show bizniz. Despite the rivalries between teams & between players, they are all coworkers of each other, all employees of one big multi-billion corporation, thanks to the wallets of fans over the decades.

[@awesomekraken]

​@@robwebnoid5763well said!

[@Woflsqin]

Just pause it at 4:26 LOL this should be a meme. My man just casually putting someone in a headlock during a basketball game.

[@nickmarshalljr]

😂😂😂

[@SunnyDarkoShow]

LMAO

[@andriebon7346]

Exactly what i was thinking🤣🤣🤣

[@keithsmith8331]

Best friend's meme

[@Abbad1579]

😂😂

[@l.torrence4603]

I don't know why John Salley reminds me of Arsenio Hall.

[@elai3147]

L. Torrence don't know why? back then even arsenio acknowledged on his show people thought they looked alike

[@mikejones-qk2ou]

Notice at 4:26! Salley already getting ready for showbiz!

[@datrevmeister]

Cause he ugly as fuckkk

[@DaveLittleEpic]

John Salley was 10X funnier.

[@nwbklr]

Matt Lombardo You need some attention or somethin? Go to an assholes anonymous meeting. Plenty of like minded folks there that aren’t allowed to interrupt when it’s your turn. 😂

[@tbmike23]

Winning never mattered more in the NBA. That was a brutal decade.

[@ackmino]

Loved the old NBA when the teams truly hated one another. I went to a celts hawks game. Kevin Willis and McHale batted in the low post all game. It was just brutal on both sides. You couldn't even fathom how tough it was until you saw it in person.

[@requiemforjesus3928]

i miss it

[@wallstreetzoomer]

Relax it's basketball not boxing.

[@thebigchief6870]

@@wallstreetzoomer ok

[@SmoothCriminalxD]

You let them elbow and knee players in the head as "fair play" and of course you'll create hate

[@sgtelias2258]

The physical play of that era was fun to watch...not just of Bulls-Pistons but Celtics, Knicks, Pacers, Lakers, Suns, Jazz. The cheap shot baby antics of Lambier's game was another story.

[@wacojohnnydean1777]

Slow motion Dennis Rodman's Double Dragon jumpkick on Craig Hodges at 4:52 tho! Lol! Looked like a jumpkick/flying knee to the head all in one motion! That man was nuts! 😁😂😁

[@TerkeyStone]

Waco Johnny Dean omg lmao I just watched it

[@TerkeyStone]

Waco Johnny Dean man crazy lol

[@MrBootydaddy]

lmao!!!

[@brainrich1358]

Damn! The Pistons and Bulls rivalry was no joke. These guys hated each other!

[@adamdorgant9454]

You’re right about that!!!!

[@geekydiplomat]

The greatness of Jordan was forged in Detroit.

[@justjeph6927]

Oh yeah..if you survived there, you were sure to be a champ!

[@denisshillingford5891]

D-Town Bad Boys Forever

[@KiLLBiLLNATiON]

None of these guys were particularly muscle bound. especially younger guys like MJ and Rodman. The 90s is where guys got bulkier.

[@sloppyreactions543]

You can win a boxing match by letting your opponent throw a bunch of punches tiring himself out. The bulls were more mentally stronger and wiser. Phil Jackson plan was to let the pistons self destruct because they had no discipline. Detroit didn't make Chicago tougher.. its basketball not boxing. ChiTown The Last Dance Forever!

[@Christappedin]

dachicagoan Lebron did with the 2017 warriors 🙃,who were wayyyy better and had more talent then the pistons. Lebron would muscle just way through all these players

[@evilldead6824]

This was one of the funnest eras of basketball to watch. Had to love Detroit for playing the super villain in the NBA!

[@alexjones3511]

The Pistons were the rebels of the NBA. The Lakers and Celtics were the true super villains, considering they've DOMINATED the league since it's inception. They weren't the bad guys.

[@Realdealrob]

But they were a great team

[@TheSands83]

That flying kick by Dennis is crazy his balls are above Hodges head

[@samuelperezgarcia]

Pippen getting dragged off the court is one of the funniesr things I have ever seen in the NBA. 🤣

[@underrated7725]

😅😅

[@dimizoe777]

he dragged him off the floor 😂😂😂

[@eddiefata777]

Hahahhaaha

[@justjeph6927]

Refs doubled as security in 80s Detroit

[@jimnycrisdianto2694]

Lmao

[@MrBootydaddy]

@@justjeph6927 lol

[@michaelm2998]

The Bad Boy Pistons are insanely underrated and under-appreciated…how Joe Dumars didn’t make the NBA 75 team is a JOKE! He guarded MJ in his prime!

[@usedtissue1073]

They are bitches

[@mockingslur6945]

No, the secret was to let Jordan pass him, then let him get clobbered when he went to the restroom. Even Dumars and Isiah say as much.

[@MDN891]

Them guys were playing football out there instead of basketball lol, no wonder why they were done in 91'....got old real fast

[@codyeble0713]

@@mockingslur6945 Reggie Miller said that

[@Mari000]

Best part is when the Bulls finally beat them and the Pistons walk off like babies.

[@Anthony-zt1zs]

5:15 Friggin' awesome. Ref just drags injured Pippen off the floor, when men were men.

[@chikeiwuala2789]

When basketball was the MMA lmao

[@t3v.t3v]

@@chikeiwuala2789 and boxing 🤣🤣

[@lemonscentedgames3641]

Yeah if every game doesnt have the potential for multiple players to get injured for months its not real ball.

[@dougfresh4454]

Lebron would get the whole Detroit team suspended for fouling him lol

[@hunt2151]

Laimbeer would of murdered Lebron

[@kellz1703]

hunt 21 while he preceded to drop 40 and two poster on him every night.

[@johncovington605]

@@kellz1703 lol exactly Bron would school laimbeer

[@hunt2151]

@@kellz1703 oh no doubt but that savage would of still made him think twice about driving to the rim

[@Fakename70]

Doug Fresh44 I didn’t see him in any of these clips. Did I miss something?

[@user-dc7um4pr3f]

"Pippen has been hit in the face. Joe Crawford is dragging him off the floor" meanwhile his team plays 4 on 5 basketball on offense and shows no desire to call a timeout. Refs don't call the foul. His teammates don't care to stop playing. The ref drags him out of the play so he doesn't affect the action. Absolutely ruthless times. People are not making this stuff up hahaha.

[@giovannianoe5119]

growing up with maohrn and lambeer, rodman became a crazy dude...

[@chudgeon]

Oakley for Knicks

[@justjeph6927]

Yah, in the words of AC/DC: too many women, too many pills

[@frontxxrunner]

1:19 "maybe one of the great floppers of all time, Bill Laimbeer" LeBron James: Hold my (Laim)beer

[@aguamenti2106]

😂😂😂

[@stanleyyelnats6592]

Video isn’t even about LeBron and you bring him up.. that proves LeBron is the Goat!!

[@MeruOnYT]

@@stanleyyelnats6592 They won't even give lebum as high of an overall as Jordan in 2k 😂 there's your goat

[@gettingtoastedatq]

You obviously don’t watch or like basketball if you think LeBron is even remotely close to one of the greatest floppers.

[@frontxxrunner]

@@gettingtoastedatq yes, obviously 🤨

[@myquest666420]

4:24 The look on Salley’s face when he’s got Corzine in the headlock made me laugh.

[@Mzee1084]

I like how the ref just drags Pippen off the court so he doesn't get in the way and lets play continue.

[@chrisspencer4093]

No foul called .

[@zroxmolejon6278]

no fracture no foul during the damn golden days of NBA

[@marcial_belen]

No blood no foul.. play continues

[@justinyan7938]

@@chrisspencer4093 thats just stupid......

[@TheSands83]

I love it! I hate this pussy ball they play now

[@Thomas-xe3ce]

Imagine seeing Lebron getting dragged off the court by a reff while play continues lol.

[@TheDotransporter]

That would be an eternal Meme.

[@silwavereznor1516]

^idiot

[@togstags1286]

@@divine6732 malone was stronger and faster during the late 80s and early 90s, that doesn't stop anyone from beating him

[@manimal9871]

@@togstags1286 yeah Malone was a god damn monster, Lebron has the speed on him but he wasn’t nearly as big or strong I don’t think people remember how ridiculous prime Mailman was same with Chuck

[@buckeyefan9202]

ledouche would have somehow called it "racist'

[@bretviola6871]

“Pippen is down, and the ref is dragging Pippen off the court” Now that is the real NBA!

[@CmonLouu]

Go watch ufc or bowing like wtf😂😂😂

[@CmonLouu]

Boxing*

[@jonmolina948]

He’s a casualty.

[@lordtitan8553]

Today's NBA players would shit there pants... with all the physical play

[@slipnorris5882]

oh please, go watch the ufc if you want to see physical play

[@TL2354]

Slip Norris- Go watch the ballet if you don't wanna see physical play

[@alexh8613]

LeBron would have destroyed this era. Think about it. He is a point guard in Rick MaHorn or Karl Malone's body.

[@alexh8613]

Was that English??? It's never too late, to go back to school.

[@alexh8613]

True Ogre, your lack of an education is funny. Please continue to post, as it is quite hilarious.

[@markjones1444]

Man, I sure do miss the old NBA. That was a man's game back in the 80's.

[@justjeph6927]

Yeah, not much sports to watch after football, unless you like golf..yawn

[@HakeemTheDream616]

This had to be the most intense games to watch live...

[@sephmcfierce]

5:16 the ref dragged a hurt Pippen off the court so he wouldn’t interfere with gameplay. 🤣🤣

[@justjeph6927]

Or get his ass kicked more!

[@trumptakedown]

Tells you all you need to know about this era of basketball

[@IgnorancEnArrogance]

it's really one of the craziest things I've seen happen in the NBA. These guys were playing like it was street ball and the refs are their angry mothers.

[@getnanoed]

Epitome of NBA STREET haha

[@lumapas]

BLM:"THATS CRIME against humanity"🤣✌

[@adaonetube]

Well, in today's NBA, the penalty and consequences are 10x's more severe than in the 80s NBA. Laimbeer would have been ejected and suspended most of this series under the current NBA rules.

[@bobbyd6097]

I agree. I do think the game today is literally 1/2 as focused on defense. The league's players are slightly softer (still some tough dudes out there today), but it's the rules that make the game even softer again.

[@macmac3374]

@@bobbyd6097 today's game is zero defense. You even breath on an offensive guy now and it's automatic 2 shots. Today's nba is a joke. Not one player today would have lasted 1 game in this era of basketball.

[@bobbyd6097]

@@macmac3374 I see glimpes of defense and at times it's impressive, but over all it's a beat one man for an open lane kind of league. The talent today is awesome but the game itself has lost a lot of grit and character for me

[@macmac3374]

@@bobbyd6097 if it even hints at a great defensive play, it's usually a foul. Even the refs these days are offensively minded. Defense is all but dead. Almost no point in this sport anymore if you can't defend.

[@jamespipkins1958]

Yeah the commissioner they have now is a pussy

[@ChrisSauce77]

Bill Laimbeer belongs in the Hall of Fame. There will never be another master troll like him. Way underappreciated due to his trollery.

[@neoneherefrom5836]

And in the middle of all this thuggery was one of the most quiet gentlemen in Joe Dumars. Lol

[@BrownBrother27]

Joe Dumars has lost his cool a few times as a Bad Boy though.

[@DurkMcGerk]

I heard Joe Dumars was considered for the 92 Dream Team over Isaiah

[@oa7274]

@Phillip Dinan actually Magic J said that no one in the team want to play with Isaiah.

[@Michael65429]

Dumars was out of place on this team. He had more class in his pinky than the rest of the team combined.

[@patchooo84]

Joe Dumars what are the maze in basketball player such a gentleman always professional an Acura is can be when he got on a run every once in a while you'd see him have a bad game but that was rare. When they traded him off that broke my heart. It broke his heart to he loved being a piston

[@SwaggerLikeUz]

4:49 pretty much sums it up LOL! By far the toughest ERA

[@SwaggerLikeUz]

Exactly

[@alexh8613]

No the toughest era was the late 90's early 2000's, when the NBA tried to endorse street ball, to appeal to the younger generation. The 80's are very over-hyped by the amount of how physical it was. The cheap shots absolutely were more physical and hand checking was allowed. But inside play was much tamer than today's game. You are allowed to lean and use your body on a player much more in today's game. Two statistics that usually tell you how physical an era is, are team points per game and block shots by big men. In the 80's the worst teams averaged 100 ppg and the best averaged about 115 ppg. In the early 2000's the best teams averaged a little over 100 ppg and the worst teams averaged 85 ppg. Also you saw a tremendous drop off in blocked slots in the early 2000's. This is because in the 80's you couldn't body up on an opponent down low. So you went high to block a shot. In the early 2000's, you were allowed to hang all over your opponent. Using your body weight to play defense instead of your height and reach

[@alexh8613]

I'll agree that on the outside in today's game you are aren't allowed to body up. There is little to no contact around the 3 point line. It pretty much the reason why Steph Curry is an MVP candidate every year, instead of just a good all-star. But on the inside, there is a lot of leaning and hanging on guys. In the 80's there wasn't as much of this. This changed when Shaq came into the league in 92 More and more inside contact was allowed as the years went on, climaxing in mid-2000's. Inside play today obviously isn't as physical as in the late 90's to mid 2000's, but it is still more physical than the 80's. No in regards to intentional fouls and cheap shots. I totally agree. While players were still ejected for dirty plays, they rarely ever were suspended

[@sholovesholove4620]

SwaggerLikeUz So i guess you weren't around around in the 70s

[@CR-yx5we]

You mean the GUTLESS ERA, by the Pistons.

[@erictdixonjr22000]

I cried laughing the bulls didn’t call a timeout, the ref drugged Pippen off the court and the announcers just said it like it was just another play. This whole highlight is funny. Basketball, football and baseball back then was wild. Different era they literally left blood, sweat and tears on the court, field or diamond caught their breath and kept playing.

[@gustinn3509]

Having watched every Pistons game from 1985-1995... they were the most exciting team ever. Never a boring game... they became a prime example that hard work and patience can get you a championship... free agency has ruined that, as has the once-exclusive Jordan rules (which have been expanded to include EVERYONE)

[@northernstar6641]

Shutup dummy!

[@williamhaynes4800]

BAD BOYS 4 LIFE!!!!!!

[@hauntedvoyager7806]

This is such an awesome vid. Brings back so many great memories. Love the Bad Boys.

[@exclamationpointman3852]

4:59 - the ref dragging an injured Pippen off the court during a live play is one of the all time most surreal moments in the NBA. I was astonished when I first saw that

[@paulevans6066]

5:18 imagine today’s 2020 NBA ref dragging a player off the court lmfao

[@EdmacZ]

Can't beat basketball of the 80's to the Early 00's. The Pacers-Pistons brawl in 2004 ended the physical era of the NBA.

[@HAST0408]

MJ put it best “at a certain point, we’re gonna have to go back to playing basketball”

[@alexh8613]

4:50 wow Rodman could jump high

[@ABC-uv4sm]

Never forget the Bad Boys had to go through Jordan Bird and Magic in one playoff run to win the the World Championship.

[@antoineparrish4886]

No they didn’t, Bird didn’t play in the playoffs that year. Plus you forgot to mention magic got hurt

[@RRRRRRRRR33]

Nope, they didn't. Bird and Magic got hurt and the Bulls were only able to win two games, the Pistons had a cake walk in 89

[@J-Hue]

​@@RRRRRRRRR33 They had the lead on LA, before Zeke got hurt the year before with all those guys health. And we better in 89. They still beat those teams when healthy, when it mattered.

[@exclamationpointman3852]

4:46 - LOL! EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING!

[@gsadventures678]

If people think that the 80s NBA wasn't much tougher and not soft like today's game should watch this clip!

[@antonioguglielmetti2661]

Lol, "one of the greatest floppers" 😂😂😂😂😂 if those guys could see the future

[@keres9580]

1:19 “maybe one the great floppers of all time, Bill Laimbeer” LOL

[@gilmorehappy4093]

Could you imagine how much LeBron would have cried in this era.

[@imsljr420]

As much as Jordan? Jordan use complain that the pistons were a bad representation for the NBA.

[@imsljr420]

@Help Me Get 100 Subscribers if lebron had to play this physical he would send everyone to the hospital.

[@imsljr420]

@Help Me Get 100 Subscribers I thought players weren't allowed to get mad or confrontational in this era?

[@uAintliveifudontthiz]

If he saw these highlights he’d start shaking in fear and his hairline would crawl back 3 inches. Sad man

[@imsljr420]

@@uAintliveifudontthiz agree... it's sad that you think that.

[@Mister__Jey]

Now the NBA is a soft game...so boring...no post game, just running to the basket without ANY skills and without ANY defense and the rest of the game is 3 point shooting contest

[@sholovesholove4620]

dawox23 Yep. And you have steph curry 2 mvp trophies. And one was unanimous!

[@guitarhub90]

Thats what we call evolution

[@rogercortez2982]

@@guitarhub90 evolution or down grade defense

[@euroamerican5189]

Well said

[@TheH3dgie]

What fucks me off is guys like Embiid who absolutely destroys nearly anyone in the post misses out on touches for 3point shoots. I feel as soon as the Curry fad dies down and people realise that the Warriors won because they had 2 of the greatest shooters of all time on the same team, not because they just chucked 3's, post players will be en vogue again. As for physical plays....NBA isnt going to allow the game to slow down unfortunately.

[@beefwellington570]

Old school basketball! Nothing like it.

[@kyledoxstader2731]

4:26 may be the best pause ever.

[@Runforestrun]

What a shock that Laimbeer was involved in like 70% of the altercations.

[@doJ79]

😮😳!

[@Indifference2000]

Also the main one crying 😆

[@bjensen]

@@Indifference2000 and so much flopping

[@Realdealrob]

But was still a good player

[@sheneedsme]

@@Realdealrob 4 time all star

[@brotherd9904]

Sally headlock on corzine posing and lookin at camera at 4:26 CLASSIC

[@boonukem]

This is why I had the feeling before their first championship, as good as the Bulls were, they wouldn't be able to get past the Pistons. Pippin and Grant were too soft and the pistons were too rough. When they did finally beat the Pistons it was a great feeling.

[@gew2027]

The bulls didn't get tougher the Pistons lost Mahorn after89

[@StoneGone]

@@gew2027 The Bulls got tougher mentally. They stopped falling for the okey doke antics of the pistons.

[@teresamcgee-vd2uc]

Pippen & grant weren't the ones crying to David Stern about the rules..

[@davidnetterwald1846]

This was the basketball that I grew up on tough defense, physical play and no hugging the players weren’t friendly on or off the court. The NBA of the 80’s and early 90’s was like the video game Arch Rivals. There would be fights on the court constantly especially when The Pistons played against the Bulls. I remember watching one game where Laimbeer fouled Stacy King really hard and King punched him right in the face and every year from 1988 to 1991 the Pistons and Bulls played each other in the playoffs and would have the most physically intense and brutal basketball games I’ve ever seen. What a rivalry this was it’s what basketball was all about.

[@marcusjnewtonz28]

Joe Crawford is dragging him off the floor as play continues. 😂😂😂

[@lurking0death]

Vinnie Johnson, Joe Dumars...built like NFL linebackers. Dennis Rodman, a track hurdler and 440 man who could jung 2.5 feet above the rim. Laimbeer, way strong arms and chest with quick feet and dead outside shot. Isiah Thomas, the fastest man on the floor, exquisite ball handler, the trapper on defense, the guy who could always defeat his man off the drible and create a shot for himself or a teamate....A very, very fine basketball team. More physical than dirty actually.

[@Gnofg]

If you have to play dirty to win then you suck.

[@thereviewartistrrp5493]

Thank you. I agree. I get tired of hearing how dirty they were. They actually had such good defence. Other players would get mad. Back then a lot of the teams were dirty. It was part of the game. Now days people act like it was a bad thing. I think back then. It was the only way you could survive. Just pistons did it best. I feel piston were the best with what they had. Including the bulls even. I say that because Mj by himself is a threat. Then you add a bunch of great players. There's no stopping him.

[@Gnofg]

@@thereviewartistrrp5493 Did you ever play basketball?

[@thereviewartistrrp5493]

@@Gnofg Pistons had no crazy good legend. Let me Bird, Magic or Jordan. It's common sense really. Did you graduate high school?

[@Gnofg]

@@thereviewartistrrp5493 I have watched every NBA finals since 1965. Lambeer is the dirtiest player ever. He never went for the ball. He always went for the head. Tell me what you would have done if someone did this to you in the playground. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zl7HqYylqdJroas

[@BangkokSlayer]

Name me one REAL rivalry like this one in today's NBA

[@that_dude_tk7327]

James harden and defensive effort

[@RM---]

Jimmy butler vs his coaches

[@jaysonb.6669]

Enes Kanter vs Communist China controlled Adam Silver

[@RRRRRRRRR33]

The "modern" NBA that enforces soft rules, oh boy... the lowest level of play ever since the late 70s, it's horrendous to watch

[@Kidsfilters]

Nothing beats these days of basketball 🇺🇸😎

[@agibson236]

back then bodies are flying everywhere under the basket..barely any whistles.. 5:52 looks like aguire pushed mj into Rodman but rodman and mj get fouls on em...LOL 4:30 rodman knees and kicks someone flying thru the air...and no call..lol

[@shaunr5450]

No freebies ever, miss those days. Now guys just get out of the way.

[@pcmld2267]

@Shaun Rasmussen The moment people stopped doing that was when Scottie Pippen yamed on Patrick Ewing.

[@lablueguy2000]

i was a teenager in the 80's and every time i watched these games, i would really stare and look closely just to find out who took a hit. LOL

[@ckdragonborn6592]

This was great 💯

[@marvinhagler4721]

When the NBA was REAL basketball..UNLIKE NOW

[@d-money_smoove]

Rodman would do dirty things on the court but make them look like accidents. He was an artist at trolling. LMAO

[@Michael-cb5nm]

This is the era I grew up watching and playing basketball, so it just seems normal to me.

[@8Nickgarcia]

back when basketball was basketball sad... :( now everyone wants to just be shooting threes all day..

[@destinationunknown8085]

I hate watching the current nba it's trash...I have much more fun watching old school hoops and then going to the local park to play some street hoops...

[@crews-lj3ph]

Facts and smile all damn day and try be friends other team mates

[@redsox141978]

That's not basketball boy. Thats Canaanites needing to be incarcerated

[@pablocastaneda352]

I agree used to love the nba now it's garbage nothing but 3s n layups no Damn defense.I Just watch college now those kids play way tougher than these overpaid crybabies in the nba

[@number2pencil588]

What the fuck smacking niggas for no reason is basketball

[@gazfishin]

80s to 90s NBA. A true mans game.

[@alfiey5783]

This is awesome, its why these rivalries are still remembered today not like the crap we see today. The current nba finals was so bad

[@Tankpacqikcao]

Whats funny is Daly didnt teach all this. This was zeke and laimbeer masterminded this type of play.

[@getnanoed]

I'd like to see these Pistons do a full season in today's NBA with old school rules!!!

[@teresamcgee-vd2uc]

Why? Jordan didn't win until the rules changed @ his l😊 request

[@getnanoed]

@@teresamcgee-vd2uc ain't nobody talking bout MJ in my original comment so whaaatttchuuu talking?? Try to stay on point id iot!! Those old school rules with hard playstyle would do this clown generation good!!

[@mightytaconerds7919]

It’s clips like these that make me realize that modern NBA players would have a field day in the old NBA

[@mightytaconerds7919]

This is literally just how they play the game today but with less threes, worse floor spacing, and sloppier fouls

[@MotoboyRP160]

Virei fan de basquete e admiro muito o Pelé das quadras. Jordan vc éo cara e sua equipe jogava muito. E só pegou jogadores de peso e nome na época. Parabéns pro basquete americano. Vcs mereciam mas reconhecimentos Aki no Brasil

[@validity7256]

Young Rodman is literally a ninja 4:47

[@BuleKonde2021]

Without the way they play, the Detroit Pistons one of the best teams I ever known....

[@marcstov]

As a Piston's fan, this was great. I loved the conflict, loved the competitiveness. The Bulls were great and eventually showed they were the best team EVER....but let's be honest, this is what made the NBA fun again.

[@nomibe2911]

Joe Crawford dragging Pippen off the floor was wild

[@marxtheidoloftheidle5591]

Bring back this brand of basketball.

[@daniardi9697]

4:26, straight face killer

[@pglover2010]

The one difference between players of today as opposed to twenty years ago is those players didn't want to switch teams to play with their opponents, they wanted to beat them!

[@elliot16]

They signed Dennis Rodman

[@sethrockwood]

Sally, Rodman, and edwards all later signed with bulls and went on to win Chips with them…logic is flawed

[@gunscotthdgaming69420]

Those days when collecting fouls were the norm

[@iamsuperperfect4605]

3:43 Double HandCheck..good ole days

[@westons1424]

They dont do that today? Basketball novice here.

[@sjsjjtrj9358]

@@westons1424 it is illegal now unless you're draymond green

[@MistahUnknown]

All you have to do is enter the keywords "Avery Bradley defense on Steph Curry" on KZbin and you'll see many videos displaying Curry being handchecked

[@toveychow3635]

Mistah Unknown who else. U cannot just use one instance.

[@divine6732]

@@toveychow3635 Hand checking was barely used back then,just because it was allowed doesn't mean it was a commonly used tactic.