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Part 10: Michael Cooper: Larry Bird is Most Complete Player I've Seen, Cooper Flagg Will Be Special
Part 1: Michael Cooper on His Stepfather Killing His Mom's Boyfriend, Mom Leaving Family to Escape
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NBA legend Michael Cooper reflected on his iconic battles with the Detroit Pistons’ “Bad Boys” during the late 1980s. Cooper, a key figure in the Lakers’ Showtime era, described the Pistons not as tough villains but as “bad kids” who mirrored the Lakers’ roster construction. He pointed out their physicality and similar lineup, including defensive stalwart Dennis Rodman and stars like Isaiah Thomas, paralleling the Lakers’ own stars. Cooper highlighted how Coach Pat Riley’s strategic preparation helped the Lakers secure back-to-back championships in 1987 and 1988. Yet, he acknowledged that the Pistons had learned from those defeats, leading to Detroit's sweep of the Lakers in 1989, marking the end of the Showtime era. Reflecting on his five championship rings alongside Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Cooper expressed immense pride in their brotherhood and legacy.
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