Let’s just skip all of the X’s and O’s of how the “Bad Boys” defended Michael Jordan. Let’s discuss the unwritten rules!
To be thorough in this discussion, this video will break down everything the Pistons did to stop Jordan. It is very interesting. Actually it is kind of funny listening to the old reporters and players speak on it. R.I.P. to Chuck Daly and Jack McCloskey who built this squad and culture.
The words on paper about the Jordan Rules are cute.
- Force him to his left to the help.
- Force him baseline to the help.
- Always rotate a player to contest his shots.
- Don’t let his teammates, particularly Scottie Pippen get untracked.
Anyone want to be honest now? The unwritten rules were to make sure he did not get off the ground and if he did, knock the daylights out of him. Period.
Sure it’s easy to put some pictures of LeBron James lifting weights and say he could deal with that type of punishment. No one will ever know because the softer rules like hand checking and flagrant fouls were changed basically because of these guys.
Remember Dennis Rodman was considered an athletic freak that did not get tired in those days, plus the man played dirty. Now throw in the players that are long, big and had no issues smacking people around.
- John Salley
- Bill Laimbeer
- James Edwards
- Mark Aguirre/Adrian Dantley (Let’s put both of these guys together because they both had bad attitudes and could play).
- Joe Dumars
- Vinnie Johnson
- Isiah Thomas, who was the ring leader.
The Jordan Rules was about a psychological advantage. Notice the smirks of all of the players. They wanted to get in players’ heads. For Jordan to have the courage to keep going back for that kind of abuse puts him in another stratosphere. Period.
The plan worked better on Jordan’s teammates than it did Jordan. Horace Grant still can’t stand them. Scottie Pippen hates Isiah Thomas worse than Jordan (That’s a feat folks!) and there is a documentary going on right now that rehashes hate that most knew about for years.
LeBron James does not have that much attention paid to him.
In the end, Dennis Rodman is right, LeBron’s game can be slowed and can be read if you pay attention. Blame Michael Jordan for talking about it and Kobe Bryant for illustrating it.