The series was so popular that ESPN decided to release a second volume of 30 more documentaries, produce 30 new digital shorts, and even released a “30 for 30” selection of soccer-related features in time for the 2014 World Cup.ĮSPN’s strategy demonstrates the importance of being able to adjust your business plan in real-time as you receive positive (or negative) feedback from your target market. Yet another winner in the 30 for 30 series.In 2009, to commemorate their 30th anniversary, ESPN released a new sports documentary series called “30 for 30.” The series included 30 full-length documentary features that highlighted sports history’s most memorable moments and personalities. Their struggle was intense, and endeared them to an entire city that needed someone to embrace at the time. Regardless of their impact on others, the Pistons deserve their own spot in history/infamy, because they did win the title in back to back years, after falling short in their first trip to the Finals. Had it not been for these Pistons teams, perhaps Jordan would have never learned what it took to be a champion, to understand the physical abuse that had to be taken in order to be the best. The segments with Bill Laimbeer were truly great. They took pride in being hated, of being the bad boys of the league, and of being able to instill fear into the hearts of others. They have managed to get good, and honest, interviews from the players that lived that experience, and they reflect back on their time as the champs with glee. Hearing the behind-the-scenes clashes and issues that the team had, their true opinions of themselves and their opponents, is another feather in the cap of the ESPN series. There was definitely skill, but it was their hard work that made them the best. Talent-wise, these Pistons were not the greatest. Their personalities did not always mesh, but they always had a common goal: to win, and to be the best. They abused superstars, forced legends to their breaking points, and made teams pay for every point that was scored against them.Īnd it made them almost unbeatable for a time, cementing their place in history in an era that had been dominated by Bird and Magic, and was soon to be completely owned by Jordan and the Bulls.ģ0 for 30: Bad Boys provides the background to the team, and it is interesting to see how their relationships all worked. The game of the Pistons was at times more psychological than physical. If you were thinking about them and their rough play before taking the court, then they had already won. Which was completely fine with all of the players on the team. People hated them, thought they were dirty, and goons. Eventually, a monster was created, and the Pistons became perhaps the toughest team in the history of the league. Slowly, the team built themselves up, through a ton of trades, some free agent signings, and more solid draft picks (like Joe Dumars). But it was one draft pick, Isiah Thomas, that changed everything. It was tough from the beginning, just as they were as a team.īad Boys takes us on the journey of Detroit starting as a laughingstock in the league, a place where nobody wanted to play. The route the Pistons had to take to win their back-to-back titles was not an easy one. Including a little team from Chicago that was led by the most dominant player in the game, Michael Jordan. No easy feat.Įven when they managed to overcome these teams, there were other obstacles. If they did get past them, they were faced with the other dynasty in the league at the time, the Los Angeles Lakers during the height of Magic Johnson. To even make it to the Finals, they had to get through the legendary Boston Celtics teams led by Larry Bird. The Pistons, a scrappy bunch of players that became renowned for their toughness and nearly brutal play, slowly got better over the years, but where faced with overcoming some of the greatest teams in NBA history. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 30 for 30 documentary about the Detroit Pistons championship teams of the late 80’s and early 90’s, entitled Bad Boys, is the dynasties that they needed to overcome in order to become champions, and legends, themselves.
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