Thirty years ago, the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers began a journey that would define not only the 1987-88 NBA season, but the very fate of their franchises. By celebrating the Showtime vs. Bad Boys era this year, we may remember the past, understand the present, and perhaps predict the future of these illustrious teams.
In November 1987, the Los Angeles Lakers began the NBA season fresh off their 10th franchise championship, having beaten Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics the previous year. With head coach Pat Riley famously promising a repeat campaign, the team returned its starting lineup of Magic Johnson, Byron Scott, James Worthy, A.