Stopping Michael Jordan during the prime of his career was something that gave opposing teams nightmares. But the ‘Bad Boys’ Pistons figured that out, thanks to the ‘Jordan Rules.’
The Jordan Rules was usually considered to be an all-out physical attack on Michael Jordan, but there was so much more to it. Isiah Thomas recently explained some intricate details about the Jordan Rules in his recent appearance on ‘All The Smoke’ podcast.
“Jordan was a reluctant passer,” Thomas said. “He didn’t like to pass. He was the first volume shooter. He wasn’t like, now you see kids that got great handles and all that, he didn’t, he didn’t have great handles. Couldn’t go left, and if he went left more than two-three times, he had to pick it up.
“So, the rules were very simple – left side of the floor, send him left. Right side of the floor, send him left. In the middle, send him left. Now, when he’s going left, we wanted the trap to be visible. So, I’m going left, and the first person that he sees now, is running at him. And you, as a defender, your job is to take away his right hand because now, as a passer, we want that ball going in the air. And if the ball goes in the air, we’re quick enough to rotate and get back and match up.
“So, as that defender leaves to come trap off the baseline or from the top, second defender, your job is to rotate to cover. Now, we want that pass going in the air across court. Jordan didn’t want to pass, so what would he do? He would shoot. And guess what he would do? He would miss.”
(Starts at 6:16)
Thomas very calmly explained the technical side of the Jordan Rules. It is part of the 4-step defensive strategy that the Pistons used against Michael Jordan.
Obviously, there was a physical side to those rules as well. For what it’s worth, it worked well for the Pistons until MJ decided to bulk up and fight off the physicality of the Jordan Rules.
Isiah Thomas On How Shutting Down Michael Jordan’s Possessions Mentally Impacted Every Player On The Bulls
Michael Jordan was the heart and soul of the Chicago Bulls. Often times Jordan led the team to victories all on his own.
But Isiah Thomas explained how limiting Mike’s possessions had an adverse impact on the rest of the floors on the floor as well.
“Our job was to limit the possessions,” Thomas added. “And if we can shut down the possessions, okay, Jordan, instead of you taking 30 shots this game, you’re only gonna get 25. But here’s what was the key. Scottie, who normally gets 12 to 13 shots because he’s [Jordan] reluctant passer, this game Scottie, you’re only gonna get seven shots. And this one over here, Horace Grant, you might get three shots.
“By the way, those shots that you’re taking and that you’re getting, they gonna be at the end of the shot clock, there’s gonna be somebody running at you. … Mentally, we take your little brain and just twist it until you f*****g fall off.”
Now, that’s one way to mess up with the Bulls players’ heads. The Jordan Rules are genuinely a thing of beauty from a basketball fan’s point of view.
Isiah Thomas Explains Why The Pistons Didn’t Want To Let Michael Jordan Dunk Against Them
Michael Jordan overcame his reluctance to pass, thanks to a lesson from his head coach Phil Jackson. But even before that, Mike was always a threat from getting inside the paint and dunking.
Jordan is considered as one of the best in-game dunkers in the history of the league. So, it was quite obvious that the Pistons didn’t want MJ to dunk. But they realized it in a unique way, according to Isiah Thomas.
“The NBA at the time wanted to market the dunk,” Thomas said. “Understanding their marketing plan. The Lakers, the Celtics, it was Bird shooting, it was Magic passing, it was Kareem hooking. Now, they come with a marketing plan that we wanna market the dunk. … So understanding the marketing plan, I ain’t gonna let you dunk. Don’t give up the dunk, we’re gonna foul you.”
The depth of Isiah Thomas’ knowledge of how to stop Michael Jordan is indeed applaud worthy.
Thomas, alongside the rest of the Bad Boys Pistons, was seemingly obsessed with defeating Michael Jordan, and it is quite obvious from the depth of the Jordan Rules.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
