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In NBA basketball, there are some players who get reputations for being "bad boys." Being bad in the NBA is not a new thing. Everyone remembers Dennis Rodman and his wild-child antics. Today we have players like Ron Artest who start fights with fans, and then there are those who are simply tattooed and have attitude like Allen Iverson. But, when talking about the "bad boys" of the NBA, there is only one team that seems to fit the bill: the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons are known as the bad boys not because of crude behavior or on-court foul play. They are simply a group of tough, competitive players, from big bad Detroit, who seem to be counted out, and touted the underdogs game after game after game. The Pistons defeated the Kobe Bryant and Shaq led Lakers in 2004, to win the National Basketball championship. Currently, they are matched up against the Miami Heat in the semifinal round of the playoffs, are one game up, and yet again the press and basketball public wants to count them out. There are numerous reasons why the Detroit Pistons embody the name "bad boys." They continue to win in spite of continued criticism, and step up, play, and win, one game at a time.
The Pistons roster is chock full of talented, quick, and fierce players. There is no single superstar on the team, though there is a core group who consistently makes the plays and victories happen. Fan favorite Big Ben Wallace, who stands at a towering 6'9" and 240 pounds, plays defense like no other. His rebounding abilities, coupled with his massive fro, keep all eyes glued to him. Coming from the small and relatively unknown Virginia Union, Wallace has worked harder than anyone to get his game to the peak level it is at. This year, Wallace was recognized as the NBA defensive player of the year. Rasheed Wallace, #36, certainly contributes a lot to the "bad boys" image and high level of play. Rasheed has had some trouble keeping his temper under wraps in the past, and certainly isn't afraid to speak his mind to the press, but in these playoffs, his shot has been dead-on and his team contributions immeasurable. Off the basketball court, Rasheed Wallace is also an invaluable asset to the Detroit Community. Wallace is involved with a number of charities and youth foundations, and was recognized this year with the Operation Smiles award for helping change the lives of children. Rounding out the heart of the "bad boys" is guard Chauncey Billlups, Tayshaun Prince, and Richard "Rip" Hamilton. All three players contribute equally on both the Piston's offense and defense, making the team the powerful, entertaining, and ultimately "bad" unit that they are.
The playoffs road for the Detroit Pistons began against Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers. It didn't take long for the Pistons to shut out this team, but what made this series unique was the mutual respect between the players on both teams. Following their final loss and playoff elimination, Iverson embraced Piston's Chauncey Billups mid-court to wish him luck and tell him he loves him. At the post-game conference, Iverson spoke of the "many weapons" on the unbeatable Pistons and expressed his sincere admiration and wishes for victory for the team.
Following their defeat of the 76ers, the Pistons took on the Indiana Pacers, which was hyped up to be quite a battle. If you will recall, it was at a Pistons vs. Pacers game earlier in the year when the brawl broke out between Ron Artest and a group of fans. At yet another Pistons vs. Pacers game, a bomb threat was called into the arena, and the game was delayed. So, it was with much anticipation that the seven game series between Detroit and Indiana began. At times it seemed close; the Pacers defeated the Pistons in a couple of games. Yet, the Detroit "bad boys" played as they usually play, ended Pacer Reggie Miller's basketball career, and moved on to the Semi-finals.
So, now it is Detroit versus Miami. The Pistons are up against Shaquille O'Neal, Dwayne Wade, and the rest of the Heat. If game one proved anything, it was telling of a series that will be a battle, but ultimately another victory for Big Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, Rip Hamilton, and the rest of the Detroit Pistons. The "bad boys" of Detroit are doing their best to prove the doubting public wrong, and once again bring that championship trophy back home to the city of Detroit.