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NBA analyst and Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas spoke about his famous “Bad Boys” team that won 2 NBA championships.
Speaking on the “SHOWDOWN” YouTube series, Isiah Thomas spoke about a several topics ranging from the NBA to his various business ventures. Known as the “Bad Boys” of the NBA, Isiah Thomas won 2 NBA titles alongside the likes of Dennis Rodman, John Salley and Adrian Dantley.
Considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history, the 1988-89 and 1989-90 Detroit Pistons teams boasted an impressive 63-19 record in the regular season.
Their success coincided in the decline of dominant teams from the 80s, such as the Lakers and Celtics. In 1989, the Pistons defeated the Lakers to secure their first championship.
Speaking about his team's reputation, Isiah Thomas said:
"We're definitely the most misunderstood team that's ever played in the NBA. I say 'team' because we were a team. The NBA wants to promote individuals. You know my whole team. You know our team to the ninth, 10th man. That's how we promoted ourselves."
He added:
"The NBA wanted to give you the individual. No, we came to the captains' meeting one time, and our whole team came to the captain’s meeting. So that type of togetherness, that type of chemistry now, these are the facts."
Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons brought an end to the Lakers-Celtics dynasty
From 1980 to 1988, the LA Lakers and Celtics combined for 8 NBA championships, but neither team would earn another championship until the Lakers' victory in 2000, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The Detroit Pistons, anchored by a tough and defensive-minded group of players, claimed consecutive NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. Not even Michael Jordan was exempt from being targeted by the Pistons' "Bad Boys" brand of defense.
Initially struggling to contain Jordan, head coach Chuck Daly had to implement the "Jordan Rules," which called for any means necessary to prevent Jordan from dominating.
This aggressive mindset propelled the Pistons to overpower their opponents and ultimately claim victory in the Eastern Conference finals. They lost the first and third games of the series and were able to win 4-2 despite Michael Jordan scoring a whopping 178 points!
Speaking about his team, Isiah Thomas also revealed that while the 1989 Pistons had the best record in the league, none of the players were selected as All-Stars.
This included a talented bunch of players, such as Dennis Rodman, Joe Dumars, and Bill Laimbeer, who is till date the Detroit Pistons' leading rebounder of all time.
