31 Years After Facing Michael Jordan Humiliation, 2x NBA Champion Displays Utter Faith in 19YO Rookie

The Detroit Pistons were dubbed the Bad Boys for a reason. From the mid-80s to the early 90s, the franchise struck fear in NBA players and fans alike. They played in an era where the area around the basket used to be a torture chamber with bodies hitting each other left and right.  They believed in a lot of pushing and shoving, using taunts at opposing players and often fouling hard. Their playing style took a toll on hundreds of bodies. The 1980s Pistons specifically created “Jordan rules” unleashing a physical beating on the legendary Michael Jordan.

While legends often complain about how “soft” the modern game is, one legend has made an interesting. A former Bad Boy has admitted that one of the new faces could handle the pressure of his infamous squad.

Could the French Alien have weathered the Bad Boy Pistons?

The debate about whether players from older eras can play at the same level in the new era, and vice-versa, has been raging for a long time. In one such take, Isiah Thomas, frontrunner of the Bad Boy Pistons, declared that Victor Wembanyama could survive his rough squad. This is a huge praise for someone who is often criticized as a lanky teenager. 

The two-time champion asserted to TMZ Sports, ”He would actually be able to stand up [to us]. He’s gonna be fine, very excited to have him in the NBA. He’s going to be great.” 

This comment adds to the shower of blessings from NBA’s greatest players that Wemby has already received. Such praise flows while the Frenchman is yet to log any minutes in the league.

It took Michael Jordan around four years to crack past the physicality of the Bad Boys. He had to remodel his game because of them but with his competitive edge; he eventually led the Bulls to a huge series win in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. 

After the Chicago Bulls captured the series and the buzzer sounded, Isaiah Thomas and co. refused to shake hands with MJ’s team. A player with such pride has handed lofty praise to Wemby.

Different ways in which Zeke’s statement can be perceived

When Thomas says that “he could actually stand up [to us]”, it means that the young Center can put up big numbers against them in their era.

Certainly, these are props for him as a solo player. The French center will have physical advantages in many match-ups during the upcoming season, but will his rebuilding San Antonio Spurs crack .500?

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The other way to look at the Pistons legend’s comments is that he believes that the number one pick in this year’s draft could have soaked the tenuous bodywork put in by greats like Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Bill Laimbeer, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the many other great centers during the golden big men era. 

Either way, Zeke considers Wemby to be sturdy. Tough enough to withstand the Bad Boys. Do you concur with the lofty praise handed by a former NBA Great to an up-and-coming player? Do share in the comments below.

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