Los Angeles Lakers: Biggest enemies of the 1980s
By Jamaal Artis
3. Detroit Pistons
At the end of the 1980’s the Detroit Pistons ascended to the elite of the NBA using a rough style that earned them the “Bad Boys” moniker. The team was lead by a hall of fame back court of Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars who used finesse and outside shooting, and they employed the thugs of the NBA in Bill Laimbeer and Rick Mahorn who used brawnand dirty fouls in the front court.
The Pistons met the Lakers in the 1988 NBA Finals as the Lakers were seeking to become the first team in 19 years to repeat as champions. The Pistons gave the Lakers all they could handle as the series went the full seven games. Memorably in game 7 Lakers forward James Worthy recorded a triple double with 36 points 16 rebounds and 10 assists to clinch the championship title.
In 1989 the Pistons gained a measure of revenge when they swept a depleted Lakers team in four games. The Lakers had been undefeated in the playoffs going into the series but they lost Magic Johnson and Byron Scott to hamstring injuries and the Lakers were no match for the hungry Pistons. The Lakers and Pistons would not meet in the NBA Finals again until 2004.