Over the past few years, people have questioned the Detroit Pistons "Bad Boys" skills. While many regard them as one of the best defensive teams ever, some claim they were just a group of dirty players. Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen belongs with the latter, as he believes the "Bad Boys" shouldn't be revered for their on-court greatness.
Evaluating the "Bad Boys"
According to Pip, who had multiple clashes with the iconic Detroit squad, coach Chuck Daly instructed his players to play dirty to compensate for their lack of athleticism.
"The Pistons were a nasty team," Pippen said . "You always had to expect them to play dirty because, remember, they were the Bad Boys of Motown. They'd go out of their way to be mean and try to hurt you. And because we had better athletes, coach Chuck Daly just let them play the way they had to play to win. Bill Laimbeer was no real athlete. The same for Rick Mahorn and Joe Dumars and James Edwards. We were faster, quicker, more competitive and smarter."
Whether Pippen's claims are true or not, he has a great point. The most athletic players usually have the advantage over their non-athletic opponents. To close the gap, the latter need to resort to other tactics. Some use their mind, while others try to compensate by being witty and physical.
The Pistons had to use their brute strength and will to win. Fortunately for the organization, their approach bore fruit, resulting in a couple of championships for the group. However, their style also led to debates on the proper way to play defense.
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The gold standard for defense?
According to the team's iconic guard, Isiah Thomas , the 1989 iteration set the standard for how defense should be played in the NBA. It wasn't just because the Pistons were very physical and intense; Thomas claims that their "Bad Boys" were also tactically sound defensively .
"I'd say all our defensive schemes and principles, the way we trap, rotated, the way we move in and out, defend 94 feet, defensive teams weren't playing that way, and I think we set the standard which the rest of the league started to follow," Zeke said .
Despite the criticism, the fact is the "Bad Boys" became one of the most iconic squads in NBA history. There are teams that played flashier but never won a championship. The same can't be said about Daly's group.
Related: "Besides, he wasn't on the team" - Scottie Pippen was upset with Michael Jordan for including his infamous playoff drama in 'The Last Dance'
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