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15 1990’s NBA Players That Would Suck Today

By Matthew Handel

MANHATTAN, NY - CIRCA 1990's: Point Guard John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks circa early 1990's during an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Stockton played for the Jazz from 1984-03. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, NY - CIRCA 1990's: Point Guard John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks circa early 1990's during an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York. Stockton played for the Jazz from 1984-03. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Detroit Pistons Bill Laimbeer (40) in action vs Chicago Bulls Bill Cartwright (24) at Chicago Stadium. Game 1. Laimbeer wearing face mask.Chicago, IL 5/19/1991CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X41449 )
Basketball: NBA Playoffs: Detroit Pistons Bill Laimbeer (40) in action vs Chicago Bulls Bill Cartwright (24) at Chicago Stadium. Game 1. Laimbeer wearing face mask.Chicago, IL 5/19/1991CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X41449 ) /

Bill Laimbeer

Detroit Pistons (1990-1994)

Bill Laimbeer is one of the toughest players to ever put on a jersey in NBA history. Playing on many Detroit Pistons teams that would punish any player that had the guts to try to score in the paint. He was a founding member of the Pistons’ “Bad Boys,” who got their nickname for their brutally physically style of play.

Laimbeer and his teammates had a tough time trying to contain Michael Jordan, so to combat that, they decided to come up with “Jordan Rules.” Anytime, Jordan tried to come in the lane, the Pistons would foul him so hard they could have sent him to the hospital.

A player known mostly for his physicality and ruthless defense can’t succeed in today’s style of play. Laimbeer would foul one time in today’s NBA and receive an automatic flagrant 2, which results in ejection.

Laimbeer was a good rebounder, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game over his career, but there are plenty of players in today’s NBA that can rebound and at the same time keep their composure. Scoring wasn’t a weak part of his game either, averaging 13.5 points per game for his career, but Laimbeer wouldn’t last long with his style of brutally tough defense.

Here are just some of Laimbeer’s most memorable moments, that would cost him a fair share of money in todays’ game:

Next: Great Passer With No Offense