'Bad Boys', the villains of basketball

Bad Boys

The Bad Boys Pistons… how I hated them! They more or less dethroned the mythical domination of Lakers and Celtics during the 80s, when this (then quite little) kid felt in love with basketball. And they did it by playing a very rough, at times straightforwardly violent, heavily defensive style of game. For me, that team was the antithesis of heroics although, somewhat, history has elevated that hard-nose, extremely gritty type of play as the most perfected tribute to that modern euphemism of “whatever it takes to win”. But there’s a history behind that team. A great, compelling, shocking one. And that’s what this documentary addresses with brilliance.

Directed by Zak Levitt, ‘Bad Boys’ is one of the best episodes of the ESPN ‘30 for 30’. It works just admirably as the chronicle, quite a ride, of the Detroit Pistons’ rise. From the early days when they were one of the worst teams of the NBA, playing in a near empty arena to the cornerstone moment of drafting Isaiah Thomas, followed to the progressive assembly of an unforgettable (for good or bad) squad, with names such as Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, Joe Dumars, Adrian Dantley (later replaced for Mark Aguirre) and, of course, without forgetting it’s architect, head coach Chuck Daly. Blood, sweat and tears...

Because it was a long, extremely demanding trip to success, with a Championship run that each year went a little further, like climbing a very high ladder one step at a time, until they managed to win back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990. A journey that included frustration (Celtics and Lakers early domination), drastic measures (that Dantley-Aguirre trade), tragedy (the death of Joe Dumars’ father), famous mistakes (the iconic Larry Bird steal), heroics and bad luck (that Isaiah injury and his gigantic Game 6 in the 1988 Finals), plus all sort of antics, despicable arts (leaded by tandem Mahorn-Laimbeer hard-fouls tandem) and dubious choices (summed up in that controversial, "class act", walking off the court against the Bulls once the defeat was evident) all in the same receipt. Absorbing is a word that falls too short to define the experience of any basket lover watching the movie.

But that’s not all, folks! Because ‘Bad Boys’ is not just a very interesting summary of a most celebrated and hated team. It digs deeper, trying to find the essence, the mystery behind those Pistons in their quest to the top. Wisely, Levitt lets the characters do the talking, and the cast, gathered and interviewed in full (with the exception of Daly, who passed away before the film was made), pays dividends to a memorable level. Misfits, lone-wolves, hard-workers and tough guys, snubbed and controversial stars, funny characters… Each one of them would deserve a documentary on his own (well, Rodman, Laimbeer and Thomas could have a longer series than Game of Thrones), showing the viewers the complexity, fearlessness, determination, and improbable coalescence of that unusual bunch of human-beings, becoming a family bonded to fight against all odds, and particularly battling against those 'transatlantic teams' of 80s Celtics, Lakers and Bulls.

The amount of scenes, one-liners and breakout moments is mind-blowing (not just from the Pistons’ roster, but also from journalists, broadcasters and players who fought against them, including Jordan, Pippen, Drexler or Ewing). Isiah Thomas, one of the best point guards ever, with a Magic Johnson kind of smile outside the court getting into several jams (with Bird, Jordan and the whole league); Rodman breaking into tears when receives his first best-defender award; Mahorn smashed into pieces in front of the camera when remembers how he was forced to leave the Pistons; John Salley proving he’s the 'coolest cat' ever to get into a basketball court; and the caustic Laimbeer not ready to bury the hatchet yet. I could go on and on…

Through these anecdotes, first-hand informations and revelations, ‘Bad Boys’ talks about something more than basketball or a radical way of playing, one that seems to be long gone compared with today's softness in the NBA. It's offering us a powerful & affecting statement on embracing an attitude, a behaviour, an identity that connected with fans, the city of Detroit, channeling a spirit of toughness and resolution that endured long after the team uglily disbanded (and the Jordan era began), resonating within American popular culture. What lies behind that image of villainy and rebellion (as Public Enemy would sing, a 'Fight the Power' kind of attitude) is competitiveness, even rudeness, passion, and a relentless obsession to achieve a goal.Have to admit it: even a proven hater like the one writing has begun to love the 'Bad Boys' after watching this documentary. Mandatory, both for basket lovers as well as people interested in striking human stories.  

SCORE: 8/10

'Magic & Bird: a courtship of rivals', 2 were the colours

Magic & Bird: a courtship of rivals

I just finished reading 'Cuando éramos los mejores' the Spanish translation of Jackie MacMullan's book 'When the game was ours', published by my dear friends of Contra (a publishing house focused on music and sports, amazing people, amazing books), so I thought it was the right time to watch this TV documentary broadcast on HBO, a film partially inspired by the book (MacMullan is one of the main experts interviewed here). What a pleasant week. A double feature of some of the best basketball EVER (arguably the best ever) played. Read, watch, and remember a much beloved time of my childhood-early teenage years being abducted by these two titans. My superheroes.

The documentary is a must for anyone who loves basketball, as it does a fine job of chronicling the unforgettable careers and, foremost, the unmatched rivalry between two of the biggest basketball legends EVER (and unarguably two of their best players). A tale of competition, obsession, respect, friendship and passion for a game that got saved, redefined, blossomed and rocketed to a planetary sport (the greatest one) thanks to them.

From tracing their humble origins in East Lansing, Michigan and French Lick, Indiana, to their first meeting at an international tournament to the first encounter as the greatest rivals at 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship Game, to the mythical Celtic-Lakers finals of the 80s, the story here is simply memorable. Not just the titles (5 for Magic, 3 for Bird), not just the epic of their triumphs, not just the way the saw the game (passing the ball, making their teammates better, always aiming to compete and win, day-by-day) not just the stats and the individual titles, but the sense of both unmatchable players constantly living parallel lives while pushing themselves to their limits. Reaching for the papers to check the numbers of the other, watching their games and getting frantic at the others wins. And, after the Converse commercial, even sharing a dramatic shift of their careers (back injury for Larry, VIH for Earvin) that forced both giants to cut short their formidable trajectories.  

Like a positive version of 'The prestige' a 'Courtship of rivals' does a fantastic job on portraying how a confrontation of incredible talents sparked a whole league to another level, and how a lasting friendship was built against all odds, against being opposite characters. It also explores the racial issues that were an important factor of the rivalry among the fans ('The Great White Hope' versus 'The Hollywood Smile', the redneck and the glamorous) and it's surprising, and refreshing, how both players haven't got anything to do with it. Bird in particular destroys the whole argument in his laconic explanation. They were also bigger than the media, league, their teams and social conventions & prejudices.

The movie doesn't rely on many outside opinions: MacMullan, Pat Riley, Kevin McHale, Michael Cooper, Magic's sister, Bird's brother, a few sportcasters. Simply there's no need for it, as the film has both main actors, keen to tell it in their own words. Magic with his trademark huge smile on his face and his smooth voice, Bird trying to dodge the camera, utterly shy, scared of revealing too much. And director's Ezra Edelman solid work overall is rewarded by a couple of mind blowing moments. When Magic can't held tears after recalling how he felt after Bird called him on the phone when he knew about his VIH infection. And when Bird says how much he liked Earvin's persona (out of the 'Magic' character). That's something than can be acted. Here's a real human, transcendent bound, that goes way beyond the ball.

But, as it usually happens, the book is better. Of course being such a huge basketball fan and such a devotee of both players, I would have loved much more game footage, but I assume Edelman considered that was already known, or easy to seek and watch. But that's secondary. The documentary fails short compared with the book because the second goes deeper in the minds and thoughts of Earvin and Larry, and MacMullan takes them (and us) on an exciting, rich, many times dark and tough too, trip. One where stats, plays, games, championships are not just entertainment, but life itself. The author delves in the VIH question, digging on Magic's marriage and exploring the icon's feelings about the reject and disappointing behaviour of so-called friends (Isaiah Thomas, Karl Malone, still hate them). The Barcelona Olympics (the question on legacy, the role of Michael Jordan) and the latest chapters of their relationship are quickly skimmed on the film, while the book has time to talk about Bird's and Magic's experiences as coaches and managers. Still, a great documentary about two immortal sport legends, and how they built that legend. Together. Another miracle done by basketball. 

  

SCORE: 7,25/10