Summary Of The Film '30 For 30: Bad Boys'

789 Words2 Pages

Reese Cordahl Film Review: 30 for 30: Bad Boys ESPN’s “30 for 30: Bad Boys” documentary eclipses many themes of race, money, and space through the dissection of the legacy of the Detroit Pistons basketball team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Directed by Zak Levitt, the film examines the rise, domination, and ultimate downfall of the Pistons, containing interviews from key members of those teams including Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, Jack McCloskey, and more. Through the rise of the Pistons in the late 1980s, the notorious “Bad Boys” identity was not only bestowed on the team, but fully embraced by everyone who suited up in the red, blue, and white. This period left substantial marks on the landscape of the NBA’s “Golden Era” and the history of Detroit. Using archival footage, …show more content…

The riots altered the psyche of many Detroiters, resulting in fear of being downtown and eventually pushing the people out into the suburbs. Not only did the people leave, but the sports teams followed suit as the Pistons and Lions moved to Pontiac, Michigan in the “Silverdome”. This early backdrop relates to the themes of space and money, as Detroit lost its unity figuratively and literally. The city desperately needed an identity, and the Pistons’ hard-nosed style of play was a trait all of Detroit could embrace and be proud of. The themes of space and money continue throughout the documentary as the introduction of “The Palace” in Auburn Hills, Michigan, became the home for the Pistons in 1988 and was immediately a part of the identity. This acceptance could be credited to the immediate success of the Pistons, but this building symbolized a new winning era for the Pistons and an economic revival for Detroit. Fast forward to 1989, and these events culminated in Detroit's true unification in the Finals championship

More about Summary Of The Film '30 For 30: Bad Boys'

Open Document