Detroit’s Bad Boys Were the Baddest in the NBA

The year was 1989, and the Detroit Pistons were reigning NBA Champions. Former Indiana Hoosier guard Isiah Thomas was their captain. Detroit GM Jack McCloskey assembled this team like automobiles on the line.

Through brilliant trades, draft choices, and strong coaching hires they became the very dominant team nicknamed the "Bad Boys". Head coach "Daddy Rich" aka Chuck Daly was their coaching strength. Other great players beside Isiah, like Joe Dumars, "The Worm" Dennis Rodman--all three of them Hall of Famers--were drafted. Players like Bill Laimbeer, Mark Aguirre, James Edwards, Vinnie Johnson and many others completed the puzzle.

This team had more than a swagger, a blue-collar mentality like the city of Detroit. The Pistons took on a bring it on attitude that really upset other teams and threw them off their game. They feuded with the Celtics, Hawks, and of course Earvin "Magic" Johnson and the LA Lakers. I wish you saw more of that unique persona in today's pro athlete and teams. The Bad Boys really had an intense attitude.

All I know is what I saw was a great bunch of athletes that had one common goal: To win. Take no prisoners and do whatever you have to do to be the be the baddest in the NBA. They did it better then everybody else.

ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary on the Bad Boys airs tonight. Check out a preview below.