Pistons Bad Boy Rick Mahorn On Basketball History And Unrest In America
Pistons 'Bad Boy' Rick Mahorn talks basketball history, the 1989 championship, and how the game has changed, then shares his perspective as a Black man in America on the George Floyd protests.
About This Episode
“The baddest of the bad boys,” Rick Mahorn needs no introduction in the Detroit community. He was instrumental in the 1989 Detroit Pistons National Championship. Since his retirement from basketball, he has become a figure in the Detroit community and has stuck around to raise his children in a city that has become his home.
Kevin and Mike talk to Rick on this episode about his basketball career, the national championship, and discuss the state of the NBA today. Rick also shares his thoughts on the current protests and the death of George Floyd. Listen to hear an important community leader share his experiences with racism and speak from the heart about a tough issue. #MikeMorseLawFirm #DetroitPistons #RickMahorn
Show Notes
- Introducing today’s guest, Rick Mahorn.
- Sound problems fixed
- Mike reminisces about watching the Bad Boys
- “Do you enjoy what you do?”
- I don’t think a fanbase could love a team more
- Rick talks about losing their first championship
- Basketball looks so different now
- It almost looked like hockey fights
- Do players care as much about the game these days?
- Who were some of the people the Bad Boys didn’t get along with?
- Do you still talk to the guys from back in the day?
- What do you think about the money in the game today?
- Did you guys consciously get technical fouls?
- Where would you rank Chuck Daly as a coach?
- Chuck Daly did allow breaks
- Is Michael Jordan the GOAT?
- How will the Pistons fare without Drummond?
- Why don’t teams grow as naturally anymore?
- How do you feel calling the games on the radio?
- What was it like coaching in the WNBA?
- What advice would you give for someone like Emoni Bates, the next big player?
- Do you follow the big baller brand?
- What is your take on recent events?
- What do you tell your kids to keep them safe and positive?
- It does feel like anything is getting done
- Diversity in the police force
- The NBA gets more psych evaluations than the police
- Hopefully real change will happen
- What are your opinions on the Detroit Police Department and Chief Craig?
- Rick’s Dog Chance makes a cameo and Ryan asks about a T-shirt
- Why did you decide to raise your family in Detroit?
- Thank you for coming on the show
FAQs
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What was Rick Mahorn's role on the 1989 champion Detroit Pistons?
Mahorn was one of the Pistons’ ‘Bad Boys,’ who won the championship in 1989. After the interview, the hosts recalled that he was called the baddest of the ‘Bad Boys’ because he protected his area on the court, and ‘you weren’t going to score anywhere near Rick Mahorn.’
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Does Rick Mahorn think Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time?
No. Mahorn said it’s not that he hates Michael Jordan, but when ranking the greatest he thinks of players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has five championships and scored over 30,000 points, Bill Russell, who has 10 championships, and Wilt Chamberlain.
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What is Rick Mahorn's perspective on the George Floyd protests as a Black man in America?
Mahorn said he worries every day and that, as a Black man in America, the rules are different. He said he doesn’t agree with the looting, though people are really upset and angry, and that he tells his children to be obedient ‘because they want to live for another day.’
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How did Rick Mahorn's WNBA coaching career with the Detroit Shock go?
Mahorn called coaching in the WNBA a great experience, especially with Bill Laimbeer, and said they won a couple of championships with the Detroit Shock. He said Laimbeer recruited players like Cheryl Ford and Swin Cash and added Ruth Riley, that the team was very physical, and he praised Deanna Nolan, a local from Flint.
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Why did Rick Mahorn choose to stay in Detroit after his playing career?
Mahorn said he doesn’t really know, but pointed to the weather. He said friends moved to places like Atlanta, Miami and Dallas, but he has to live where people want him: ‘give me Detroit all day, every day. I love Detroit.’
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