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💔 Heart-Breaking Rivalry Lives On
Michael Jordan still “hates” the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys” – even now, more than 30 years later.
The Origin of the Grudge
In the late ’80s, the gritty, physical “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons—helmed by stars like Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Dennis Rodman—employed the notorious “Jordan Rules” defense. Their mission: stop Michael Jordan by any means necessary—double-teams, hard fouls, and relentless physicality . The Pistons repeatedly knocked out the Bulls in the 1988, 1989, and 1990 playoffs, leaving Jordan and Chicago battered and frustrated .
Revenge and Resilience
Channeling that frustration, Jordan transformed himself. He bulked up during the 1990 off‑season and returned stronger than ever. In 1991, the Bulls swept Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals and went on to win their first NBA title that year .
The Slap in the Face
But the real sting came at the climax of that series: with 7.9 seconds left in Game 4, the Pistons walked off the court—on Bill Laimbeer’s orders—without shaking hands with the Bulls. Jordan, who had always shown respect in earlier losses, took it personally:
“Straight‑up b—‑es,” said Horace Grant.
“I Hated Them” – And He Still Does
In The Last Dance (Episode 3), Jordan didn’t mince words:
“Oh, I hated them. And that hate carries even to this day.”
He added that Isiah Thomas’s attempts to “contextualize” the walk-off now were “bulls—,” insisting the emotional damage runs deep.
Pistons’ Response
Isiah Thomas explained the no-shake policy was common practice under pressure:
“When you lost, you left the floor. That was it.”
Thomas also noted that, unlike the Pistons, the Celtics had similarly snubbed Detroit in 1988 ). Bill Laimbeer, defending the decision, described the Bulls as “whiners” who deserved no acknowledgment .
Why It Matters
NBA legends like Magic Johnson later reflected that Detroit’s toughness forged Jordan into the greatest of all time. Johnson said the rivalry and that emotional blowground Jordan’s legacy .
📝 Final Word
More than three decades on, Michael Jordan’s grudge remains one of sport’s most enduring. His statement, “I hated them … to this day,” isn’t retroactive bravado—it’s a raw glimpse into how one moment of perceived disrespect can define a legacy.
RT BREAKING:Michael Jordan still hates NBA franchise ‘to this day’ 22 years after retirement….
