Bulls vs Pistons

Lore & Background

The two teams met in the playoffs for the first time in the 1974 Western Conference Semifinals which the Bulls won in seven games. But the rivalry really started in the 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals after the Pistons and Bulls beat the Bullets and Cavs in the first round 3–2. The aggressive Bad Boys, as Detroit became known, were the rising power in the Eastern Conference. Michael Jordan, on the other hand, was league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the ultimate challenge for the Pistons' top-notch defense.

In a nationally televised game in Detroit on Easter Sunday, Jordan scored 59 points in a 112–110 Bulls victory. Previously, in 1987, he had scored 61 points in a 125–120 OT victory. This angered Chuck Daly, who vowed never to allow Jordan to light them up again. Despite Jordan's individual skills, the Bulls lacked the talent and mental toughness to beat Detroit, who defeated Chicago in 5 games.

The Pistons went on to beat Boston in 6 and won their first Conference title since they moved from Fort Wayne. In 1989, the Pistons were stronger and posted a season-best record of 63–19. They reached the Conference Finals by sweeping the Celtics and Bucks. The 6th-seeded Bulls (47–35) had surprising success in the playoffs by upsetting the Cavs 3–2 with The Shot and Knicks 4–2.

The Bulls met Detroit in the Eastern Conference Finals. Bulls success continued as they took a 2–1 series lead. But the Pistons clamped down and employed the 'Jordan Rules' (which consisted of solely targeting Jordan) which worked so well for them the year prior. While they remained silent about them when asked by the media, many Pistons today say that it was just another psychological ploy they made up to throw the Bulls off their game.

According to Pistons forward Rick Mahorn, 'We were just throwing stuff out there. It was just a joke. Chuck throws it out there that we had some secret plan to stop Jordan, and everybody just jumped on it. Everybody was writing stories about this strategy.

When we kept reading about it, Isiah told us that we had gotten in their heads, and that's how we had them beat.' The Pistons won 3 straight games and went on to win their first NBA title. While both teams intensely disliked each other, there was particular animosity between Michael Jordan and Pistons star Isiah Thomas.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry is defined by the intense playoff battles from 1988 to 1991, the 'Jordan Rules' as a psychological ploy, and the later resurgence in 2007. Key figures include Michael Jordan, Isiah Thomas, Chuck Daly, and Phil Jackson. The Bulls' triangle offense was key to overcoming Detroit's defense.

Did You Know?

• Michael Jordan scored 59 points on Easter Sunday 1988 in a 112–110 Bulls victory over the Pistons.
• Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Mark Aguirre walked off the court with 7.9 seconds left in Game 4 of the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals to avoid congratulating the Bulls.
• Dennis Rodman, a former Piston, was traded to the Bulls in 1995 and played a key role in their second three-peat, but did not interact with Jordan or Pippen outside of games.