"Mark is a real boxer and Bill realizes it" - John Salley on the rare moment when Bill Laimbeer backed down from Mark Aguirre

The Detroit Pistons of the 1980s were unapologetic about their ‘Bad Boys’ moniker; they only embraced their brute physicality in instilling fear around the league for their playing style. Although this team already had quality players on its roster, it was the willingness to start confrontations at the slightest provocations that forced opponents to back down.

On the other hand, personalities inevitably clashed within this fearsome group of enforcers. With so many fiery characters in one locker room, no one was willing to submit and egos collided in unexpected ways at times.

According to John Salley, one of the most memorable moments was the conflict between Bill Laimbeer and Mark Aguirre — a showdown that ended in a way that most fans could not have predicted.

Salley on Aguirre’s strength

Aguirre was no pushover. At 6’6″, he brought a sturdy frame to bring in strong perimeter defense with his ability to impose himself physically on smaller opponents. On the other side was Laimbeer, who was the face of the Pistons’ Bad Boys’ identity. Whether it was a seven-foot center or a pacy and athletic guard, Laimbeer knew he had to bring them down illegally if they dared to attack the rim.

This is particularly why what happened between Laimbeer and Aguirre stood out. In a heated moment, the 6’11” center initially thought to assert his authority over Aguirre. However, in an interesting twist, the latter emerged as the more aggressive and terrorizing force, willing to throw punches.

Ultimately, watching the league’s most notorious intimidator, Laimbeer, retreat from a fight was so shocking that Salley could not contain himself. As a result, he turned away to hide his laughter.

“In 1990, Bill and Mark Aguirre get in a fight in Portland. And Bill Laimbeer realized you don’t wanna fight Mark Aguirre,” Salley recalled in his interview with DJ Vlad. “Let me just tell everybody out there, you don’t wanna fight the Drew from Chicago, and Mark is a real boxer. Bill realizes it, and as Bill is backing up like, ‘Yo, yo, yo!’ I stop and turn around and walk the other way, and I’m laughing like, ‘Yeah, get ’em.'”

Emotions were always high in practice

The Pistons’ roster of that era was full of players like this. Whether it was Laimbeer, Aguirre, Salley, Rick Mahorn, or Dennis Rodman, the team was built on strong personalities and a collective refusal to give in. Naturally, practices were intense, tempers flared and tensions occasionally spilled over behind the scenes.

Nevertheless, when it mattered, the Bad Boys’ inner conflicts never undermined their on-court performance. In fact, they forged a unique solidarity, a code of protection that ensured no opponent could bully or intimidate one of their own.

This is precisely why their success needs to be given more respect. The Detroit Pistons might be the villains who were unapologetically physical on the court. However, they still managed to win two NBA championships when no one expected them to.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“Mark is a real boxer and Bill realizes it” – John Salley on the rare moment when Bill Laimbeer backed down from Mark Aguirre

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