More than three decades after the Detroit Pistons stalled Michael Jordan’s ascending stardom by bouncing the Chicago Bulls from the playoffs in three straight postseasons, Jordan admitted that he still harbors animosity for the “Bad Boys” team that threatened to derail his success.
Jordan and the Bulls lost to the Pistons in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1988, in six games in the conference finals in 1989 (after holding a 2-1 lead) and in seven games in the conference finals in 1990.
Along the way, the Pistons tormented Chicago’s high-scoring shooting guard, employing a bruising style of defense that came to be known as “The Jordan Rules.”
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The Bulls finally broke through in the 1991 conference finals, and they did so in dominant fashion, sweeping Detroit 4-0 to deliver an unceremonious end to the Pistons’ back-to-back championship reign.
MJ still not feeling the love for the Pistons.
Flip the Page to see MJ’s remarks:
