John Salley explains why refs didn’t eject players for fighting back in the ’80s and ’90s: “You are here to play basketball; we understand that happens” originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The intensity and physicality that the NBA allows its players to engage in have always been a hot topic of discussion. Some argue that it adds excitement and competitiveness to the game. In contrast, others believe it leads to unnecessary injuries and violence.
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One person who knows all about the physicality of the NBA in the 1980s and 90s is former NBA champion John Salley. A crucial piece of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, which did their best work in that era, that team had its share of rough play and physical confrontations. But for Salley and the NBA during that time, they were all considered part of the game.
Exchange blows and move on
The 1980s and 90s marked a defining era in basketball, dominated by the rise of Michael Jordan and a level of physicality that became synonymous with the game. A quick search on YouTube reveals a mix of iconic highlights and intense moments, including fights, flagrant fouls, and heated verbal exchanges between players.
However, as Salley points out, these confrontations were considered part of the game and were not viewed negatively at the time. Instead, it was considered the spice that added more heat and flavor to the game.
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One example of the league’s leniency toward punches and fights during those days was Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Pistons.
Fed up with all the cheap shots that renowned enforcer Bill Laimbeer had been giving him and his teammates, Robert Parish took matters into his own hands. He unleashed a two-piece combo on Laimbeer, leaving him dazed and bloodied on the floor.
“It was a trip. Because Robert Parish in 1985, Bill Laimbeer pushed him, and Robert Parish punched him back. And the ref got in between, and they said, ‘Put your hands down.’ He put his hands down, and they separated them like that. And they go, ‘Cool him off,'” Salley said when discussing the difference. “Cool off and get right back in the game. Yeah, you’re here to play basketball. We understand that happens.”
Curiously, no foul was called on that play, nor did anyone get ejected. In today’s NBA, an incident like that would result in multiple player suspensions and fines.
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“You get ejected and fined, and they want to see different angles on how long you’re going to be suspended. And it’s because it shows insubordination. And that’s not good for an international game, to show that in your sport, they fight,” Salley explained.
The league wants its players to be composed
It’s been decades since that era in the NBA, and the league has since polished its image. While full-blown brawls are now rare, not every technical foul or ejection has been justified. In some cases, referees have ejected superstar players for something as trivial as laughing, clapping, or expressing passion after scoring.
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Salley implied that it is ridiculous for the league to want its players to be fiery but not too much.
“They took that out. And they made this thing where they want you to be — they want you to have fire. They want you to be like that. But then they don’t want you to be human. And it takes a lot of the human away from you when you can’t — you know, like in hockey, you get to fight. You cool off. You’re cool,” Salley stated.
The NBA remains the best basketball league in the world, but it is by no means perfect. One thing Commissioner Adam Silver and his office must address is allowing some leniency when it comes to aggressive play. While nobody wants to see fists flying in every game, the occasional scuffle or heated exchange adds to the intensity and passion of the sport.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.