Quote:
Originally Posted by Amnorix
What those Pistons played was not really what any sane person should call defense. The Celtics, Bulls and a bunch of other teams played tough, hard-nosed defense, but even they were pushing the line pretty aggressively. The Pistons ignored the line altogether with some (Laimbeer especially) just playing dirty. He was, as Larry Bird said, literally out to hurt you.
Go to 18:20 mark:
If you think an NBA with everyone playing THAT style of defense would be good for anyone -- players or fans -- I really don't know what to tell you. That's an ugly, uninteresting, version of the sport.
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Don’t believe I made any sort of comment about that defense being good for anyone. Just pointing out that type of play (along with his obvious talent) helped make Jordan into the ultimate competitor that he was. Those Pistons (after the 80’s Celtics) were the final box he had to check off to become the elite player he was and for the Bulls to become the dominant team in the East, and ultimately, the league.
Without them, I don’t think Jordan goes 6 for 6 on titles from 91-98. Especially when you take into account some of their epic series’ with the New York Knicks on their way to the Finals.
Jordan and the Bulls had to learn the ‘hard’ way. Lebron never had to deal with any of that on his way to becoming NBA Elite. Lebron ‘grew up’ in a relatively weak East while Jordan was growing up playing the 80’s Celtics and the Bad Boys. Much different mountains to climb to reach the Finals. And when he finally got there, he NEVER lost! Lebron has had it easy, by comparison. It wasn’t till just a few years ago that he had to face his first
real challenge in an All Time GSW team that he has since lost to 2 out of 3 series in the Finals.
Lebron is a beast of a player and an all-time great, but he’s no Jordan.