Jordan & the Bulls overcoming the Bad Boy Pistons is the greatest story arch in sports history

[JA_Carter]

I was rewatching Last Dance along with some old Jordan games since he was before my time but his rivalry with the Piston was so perfect it’s almost like it was scripted.

1988 Bulls lost in 5
1989 Bulls lost in 6
1990 Bulls lost in 7
1991 Bulls sweep them, went on to win 3 straight finals and they never faced the Pistons again in the Playoffs

Every year they were one game closer to overcoming them and when they finally did they completely destroyed them. It’s like finally climbing the mountain or achieving a goal you were struggling with for years, how could that not be motivating Lebron is still my GOAT but I can see why Jordan was viewed as a superhero.

Jordan gets most of the praise but Pippen was really impressive. Each year he grew and they only overcame the Pistons once he was able to average over 20 in a series against them.

Do you guys think there’s any sports story on that level?

 

[HTXBreh]

They got too old father time helped beat the Pistons.

 

[Rell84shots]

They got too old father time helped beat the Pistons.

They weren't even old though.

 

[Ruck]

I wish I saw those Pistons teams live. I was only there to see the Knicks and Bulls go at it in the early 90s. I hated those Knicks teams with a passion. But for some reason, I don't think I would have the same fervor for the Pistons. Mainly because they were the champs and you had to earn a literal ass whoopin to get through them. I respect the shyt out of those Bad Boys. They made the GOAT hit the weights and ascend to unparalleled heights.

 

[aluc24]

They got too old father time helped beat the Pistons.

Isaiah 29
Dumars 27
Rodman 29


Miss me with this bullshxt excuse of the pistons being “Old”

 

[HTXBreh]

They weren't even old though.

Thats the take I always hear.The Pistons got old

 

[nairdas]

Peyton & the Colts finally overcoming Tom Brady & the Patriots in the playoffs >>>

 

[Imyremeshaw]

Isaiah 29
Dumars 27
Rodman 29


Miss me with this bullshxt excuse of the pistons being “Old”

After all the teams the Pistons had run thru in the 80s?
They were definitely old, most players especially guards only played until 35 at most back then, players like Kareem and Lebron still being top Dawgs was outliners......

 

[HTXBreh]

After all the teams the Pistons had run thru in the 80s?
They were definitely old, most players especially guards only played until 35 at most back then, players like Kareem and Lebron still being top Dawgs was outliners......

They dont realize back then orthokine and such didn't exist.They was making star players play thru injuries.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Isaiah 29
Dumars 27
Rodman 29


Miss me with this bullshxt excuse of the pistons being “Old”

After all the teams the Pistons had run thru in the 80s?
They were definitely old, most players especially guards only played until 35 at most back then, players like Kareem and Lebron still being top Dawgs was outliners......

They definitely weren't old.

They suffered from burnout after multiple deep playoff runs (including three-consecutive Finals trips), and they simply didn't have the same hunger as they once did as a playing group. Daly mentioned after the fact that 'magic' just wasn't there for them during the regular season too.

 

[The God Poster]

After all the teams the Pistons had run thru in the 80s?
They were definitely old, most players especially guards only played until 35 at most back then, players like Kareem and Lebron still being top Dawgs was outliners......

The avg age is about the same now. Do you consider guys like Beal & AD old?

The pistons were victims of playing a ton of playoff games over the course of several years. That takes its toll. Not the only reason or even main reason for the Bulls winning but it’s a factor

 

[etrofllenrod504]

They weren't even old though.

they were in terms of basketball years. You dont keep making deep playoff runs year after year without
injuries eventually catching up. It happen to the pistons that year.

 

[Imyremeshaw]

They definitely weren't old.

They suffered from burnout after multiple deep playoff runs (including three-consecutive Finals trips), and they simply didn't have the same hunger as they once did as a playing group. Daly mentioned after the fact that 'magic' just wasn't there for them during the regular season too.

No doubt its a combination of all factors you pointed out!!

 

[Rell84shots]

they were in terms of basketball years. You dont keep making deep playoff runs year after year without
injuries eventually catching up. It happen to the pistons that year.

They still won 50 games. People(mainly Shannon Sharpe) love to say MJ didn't beat the Pistons until they got old, yet never mention that the Spurs were older than the Pistons when Lebron finally beat them.

 

[JP_614]

They weren't even old though.

Different Eras