They were much more than a bunch of thugs -- though they were definitely a bunch of thugs.

Bill Laimbeer, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, Dennis Rodman -- heck, anyone who played for the Detroit Pistons from 1988 to 1991 -- took physical play to the extreme and frustrated Bulls fans as they captured NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.

The Pistons developed the ''Jordan Rules,'' which involved double teams and changing defenses, but mostly, they just hammered Jordan whenever they could.

''Any time [Jordan] went by you, you had to nail him,'' former Pistons coach Chuck Daly said. ''If he was coming off a screen, nail him. We didn't want to be dirty -- I know some people thought we were -- but we had to make contact and be very physical.''

The plan worked. The Pistons eliminated the Bulls from the playoffs in 1988, 1989 and 1990.

The fourth time was the charm, though. The Bulls swept the Pistons in the 1991 conference finals before winning the first of their six titles. Rather than congratulate the Bulls , Thomas, Laimbeer and Mark Aguirre walked off the court before the last game was over.

That act spoke volumes. The Pistons were very good -- and completely classless.

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