Detroit Pistons and Coach Chuck Daly started this "Jordan Rules" to stop one man, Michael Jordan.

Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, John Salley, Dennis Rodman and Bill Laimbeer were instructed to always be aware where Jordan was on the court. The JORDAN RULES consists of 13 separate defensive sets.

The main strategy is to double team him as soon as he gets the ball and then try "funnelling" Jordan to the middle of the keyway and allow him to take his shots there. By bringing Jordan to the middle, quick defenders like Rodman and Salley could rotate and help take Jordan out.

Nobody more so than Bill Laimbeer tried to take MJ out physically. If you watch the Eastern Conference semi-final games, you would think that Bill was trying to kill MJ by taking his legs underneath him as soon as he elevates.

Dangerous, rough and dirty play was the hallmark of the Pistons. They were known as the "Bad Boys" in the league.

If the AJ 3 represented luxury and class, the AJ 4 were more functional and utilitarian. Tinker wanted the AJ 4 to be more "workmen-like" to reflect MJ's different phase in life as a player, husband and father. Using an over-molded mesh to improve breathability and reduce weight. The AJ 4 were ugly looking shoes back then. The plastic stabilisation lace straps and the "trapezoidal" multi-port lace-locking system made they whole thing gimmicky and él cheapo.

Like Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale classic "The Ugly Duckling", the AJ 4 transformed into a beautiful swan. It grew on people, ironic that its very uniqueness/ugliness that people find extremely appealing. Perhaps it set the ugliness benchmark for all ugly shoes to follow. But what was ugly in the past is now normal as more companies released uglier shoes. The AJ 4 looks pretty normal to me now, but back in 1989, I thought they were disgusting... and bought a pair of Cross-trainers. :-(

Source :
"Driven from Within", Michael Jordan, Rare Air Media, Simon & Schuster, First edition 2005, pg. 85

Playoff First Round Eastern Conference Game 5, the Cavaliers took the lead 100-99 after Craig Ehlo threw an inbound pass to Larry Nance who passes it back to the running Ehlo. Ehlo drives-in for the layup with 3 seconds left on the clock. The Cleveland Colisseum homecrowd was jubilant and cheering loudly. Uh huh! Hold you horses, 3 seconds is plenty of time for His Airness.

Team-mate Brad Sellers throws a pass to Jordan who drives toward the freethrow line. Elevates as Ehlo and Nance charge at him. He hangs in the air and releases THE SHOT. Bingo. Money-in-the-bank. The Bulls win 101-100 and silenced the Cavs homecrowd. Ehlo had nightmares eversince...