Do you miss the Pistons’ Bad Boy era? Check out the African League

For those of us who grew up in the Pistons’ Bad Boys era (shut up, I’m old) basketball has changed quite a lot.

The league was FAR more physical back then, as things that would get you kicked out of a game and suspended now were barely even fouls back then.

Ask Nikola Jokic, who was ejected in a decisive playoff game after barely grazing Cameron Payne in the face while trying to swipe at the ball.

I can remember Bill Laimbeer being punched in the face by Robert Parish directly in front of a referee and barely even getting a foul call. It’s safe to say that things have changed.

Most fans are happy with the changes, as the game is much more fluid now, though the lack of physical play has definitely toned down the rivalries.

But if you’re one of the fans who misses this style of play, you should check out the Basketball Africa League, where the Bad Boys’ legacy lives on.

The BAL brings back memories of the Pistons’ Bad Boys era

The Basketball Africa League is in its first season and is drawing comparisons to the late 80’s NBA for its physical style of play.

Lance Blanks, commentator for the BAL, should know, as he was on the Pistons in the 1990’s and saw the Bad Boys first hand.

This is what he had to say according to Michelle Katami of BBC Sport Africa:

"“The players and style here (at BAL) would fit in well with the bad boys of the late 80’s and early 90’s in the NBA because they are very unafraid, they are in your face and they compete extremely hard.They play an incredibly physical and aggressive style, they don’t limit themselves in terms of commitment, I love the passion and heart regardless of the level.”"

The NBA has long been trying to expand its global appeal, which is why it partnered with the BAL and FIBA to help create an African league. It won’t be long before we will see some players coming out of the BAL into the NBA.

If you miss physical basketball where players are allowed to get after it on defense, check out the BAL, an up and coming league that is trying to earn its way into the NBA landscape.

Who knows, the Rwandan Bill Laimbeer might be out there lurking, waiting to throw an elbow.