Formed in 1970 during the 1970-71 season, the Central Division came to life as the league was growing. It brought a wave of excitement and fresh starts for basketball fans everywhere. It kicked off with teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards (back when they were the Baltimore Bullets), Sacramento Kings (originally the Cincinnati Royals), and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Over the years, teams were shuffled around.

Right now, the Chicago Bulls are the team with the most championships in the Central Division, all thanks to one of the NBA’s greatest players, Michael Jordan. But let’s be real—they’re not the powerhouse they used to be, having hit a decline since those epic Jordan days. Next up is the Detroit Pistons, who have a solid number of titles but have been struggling in recent years, leaving fans itching for a comeback. Then we’ve got the Milwaukee Bucks, boasting two championships.

Even though they’ve only got a couple of rings, they’re the real championship contenders in the Central Division today. With the recent addition of Damian Lillard to a stacked squad led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, it wouldn’t shock anyone if they snagged a few more rings in the near future. However, according to NBA writer John Schuhmann, injury concerns and a questionable defense are challenges that face the Bucks. They’ll have to address these concerns going forward. The Cleveland Cavaliers have one NBA championship. This was achieved when LeBron James was part of their roster. The Indiana Pacers are still chasing that sweet championship glory. They’re yet to win their first title.

With a total of 12 championships under their belt, the Central Division has made its mark as one of the strongest divisions in the Eastern Conference. But let’s be real: basketball is super unpredictable, and anything can go down in the coming years. The future is wide open, and it all depends on how each team performs on the court. Even though all the squads are in one division, someone new to the NBA might think it’s all love and good vibes between them. But the truth is, it’s a whole different story. There have been intense rivalries between some of the teams in the division, especially between the Pistons and Bulls.

The Bad Boy Pistons and Jordan Rules

Though the Bulls and the Pistons might not be top dogs right now, there was a time when they ruled the NBA. Back in the ’90s during the Jordan era, an epic rivalry brewed between these two Central Division heavyweights. Who could forget the Bad Boy Pistons and their infamous “Jordan Rules” designed just to stop MJ? From day one, Mike was a beast, but winning championships didn’t come easy. It took time, even for the best player in the game. As the Bulls were getting closer to their championship dream in 1989, making it to the Eastern Conference Finals was huge, but standing in their way were the tough-as-nails Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons earned their Bad Boys nickname for a reason, known for their physical play and rugged style. That season, they were on fire with a 63-19 record, ready to take on Jordan and the Bulls. The Bulls even grabbed a 2-1 lead in the series, and the dream of that first ring felt so close. But that’s when the Pistons dropped the “Jordan Rules.” The plan was straightforward yet brutal: don’t let Jordan jump in the paint, and foul him hard as soon as he did. Back then, the game was way more physical, and the rules weren’t as tight, so that strategy really paid off. The Pistons rallied and took down the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, then went on to sweep the Lakers in the Finals to snag the championship that season.

The same story played out the next season, as the Pistons once again rolled out their “Jordan Rules” to take down the Bulls in a nail-biting Game 7 of the Eastern Conference rematch. They snagged the championship that season too, beating the Blazers in the Finals. But if there’s one thing you know about Michael Jordan, it’s that he never backs down. Driven by determination, he hit the gym hard that offseason, grinding away to finally get past the Pistons, who had sent them packing in the Eastern Conference Finals two years straight.

When the Bulls and Pistons clashed for a third time in the Eastern Conference Finals, it was a totally different vibe. The Bulls came back strong and swept the Pistons, humiliating them in the process. In a jaw-dropping moment, the Pistons players left the court early, with seven seconds still on the clock, refusing to shake hands with the Bulls after the game. That was a clear sign of disrespect, and Jordan didn’t take that lightly. The tension between him and Isiah Thomas, who was the one that told the team to ditch the handshake, escalated from that moment on, creating a rift that’s still felt today. What are your thoughts on this rivalry?