BAD BOYZ STORIES

[realEAST]

Hi guys, Bulls fan here, sorry to intrude like this, but I'd like to write a piece on Bad Boyz and their impact on black community in Detroit, and although I have some knowledge and sources on the subject, I'd like to ask you if you know any sources or have first hand stories you'd be willing to share, I'd be really grateful for that.
Thank you in advance.

[Blkbrd671]

Hi guys, Bulls fan here, sorry to intrude like this, but I'd like to write a piece on Bad Boyz and their impact on black community in Detroit, and although I have some knowledge and sources on the subject, I'd like to ask you if you know any sources or have first hand stories you'd be willing to share, I'd be really grateful for that.
Thank you in advance.

going to be a very interesting read, and curious to see if you can find anyone with experience after the mass exodus out of detroit. Also out of curiosity, what is your theory on the impact the bad boys had on the Black community?

[Manocad]

Not to rain on anyone's parade but I'm not sure there's much of a story to write. I was around then and the only real story was that the Pistons finally had a championship caliber team. There really isn't a "things were really bad and the Pistons pulled the community together" back line there.

[realEAST]

Not to rain on anyone's parade but I'm not sure there's much of a story to write. I was around then and the only real story was that the Pistons finally had a championship caliber team. There really isn't a "things were really bad and the Pistons pulled the community together" back line there.

Well, it wasn't meant to be some kind of hyped article in that manner. That's exactly why I am trying to find some more information. On couple occasions I'v hard some stories of how players from that generation would come to poor neighborhoods, bringing and giving various stuff like groceries, etc., playing some ball too.

[tmorgan]

Unless my memory is off, part of the issue is that, once the Bad Boys won their two titles, the games were played at the Palace (I think it opened in 88-89), which is a long way from "real" Detroit. The Pistons are more Michigan's team than Detroit's team.

[Manocad]

Both titles were won after the Pistons moved to the Palace. They began the '88-'89 season at the Palace.

Certainly the players had a community presence but not anything that really stood out as some huge departure from the norm. The biggest impact was that EVERYONE became a Pistons fan.

[Warspite]

Even before the Palace the Pistons played in the Silverdome. They left Detroit just as they were getting good and only played in Joe Louis when there was a schedule conflict.

I think watching the 30 for 30 show would give you a pretty good insight. Since Detroit was 70% black I don't see how the impact is going to be any different on the black community than on the white, Arab or Asian community.

The Bad Boys were the ultimate under dogs who overcame through guts, intelligence and heart. They are an example for us all teaching us a lesson on what we can accomplish if we are willing to sacrifice are own agendas for a common good with like minded people.

[BadMofoPimp]

Even before the Palace the Pistons played in the Silverdome. They left Detroit just as they were getting good and only played in Joe Louis when there was a schedule conflict.

I think watching the 30 for 30 show would give you a pretty good insight. Since Detroit was 70% black I don't see how the impact is going to be any different on the black community than on the white, Arab or Asian community.

The Bad Boys were the ultimate under dogs who overcame through guts, intelligence and heart. They are an example for us all teaching us a lesson on what we can accomplish if we are willing to sacrifice are own agendas for a common good with like minded people.

I thought Pistons played at Cobo Hall?

[bballnmike]

Also I don't think anyone says Bad Boyz with a z

[Manocad]

Even before the Palace the Pistons played in the Silverdome. They left Detroit just as they were getting good and only played in Joe Louis when there was a schedule conflict.

I think watching the 30 for 30 show would give you a pretty good insight. Since Detroit was 70% black I don't see how the impact is going to be any different on the black community than on the white, Arab or Asian community.

The Bad Boys were the ultimate under dogs who overcame through guts, intelligence and heart. They are an example for us all teaching us a lesson on what we can accomplish if we are willing to sacrifice are own agendas for a common good with like minded people.

I thought Pistons played at Cobo Hall?

Correct, before the Silverdome. They did play at the Joe after moving to the Silverdome for one 1984 playoff game due to a scheduling conflict, and for 15 games later in '84 when the Silverdome roof collapsed.

[Uncle Mxy]

An under-told story is about U-Michigan winning the NCAA tournament a couple months before the Pistons, and just how "winning" those Pistons were after the Dantley trade -- 32-6 post All-Star game (among the best ever). In the spring of 1989, basketball just turned white hot in the metro Detroit area, like pouring gas on a fire.

[Manocad]

Yep, 1989 was a pretty damn good year for Detroit sports. Michigan beat USC in the Rose Bowl, Michigan won the 1989 NCAA championship, the Red Wings won their division (but lost in the first round of the playoffs), the Pistons won the NBA championship, and the Lions drafted Barry Sanders who went on to rush for 1470 yards and 14 TD's as a rookie. The Tigers were god awful though.

And between attending classes at the University of Michigan-Flint, some young stud was tearing through Flint-area poonani like there was no tomorrow.

[BadMofoPimp]

I just remember back around 1986 when a small Pimp used to shoot free throws in his parents driveway using the Dantley Technique of meditation with basketball before shooting.

[kurtis48239]

Bill lambier opened up a trucking business.h ere in mi.

Vinnie Johnson owns detroit thermal,which is were I used to work befor I finished my wielding certificates and left.

[Redeemed]

Jalen Rose has talked quite a bit about how the success of the Bad Boys had an inspiring impact on his hood. He and Steve Smith have talked about how Isiah would show up in the hood playing ball with them and just connecting with fans on a personal level. The iconic Bad Boys was huge for them (Steve Smith talked about it on an episode of Open Court and Jalen talked about it on the Grantland edition about the Bad Boys 30 for 30).

Bad Boys also inspired the me against the world attitude the Fab Five had at Michigan.