“Bad Boys for Life” – Sound familiar? Of course it does. Will Smith made it iconic, but if you’re an NBA junkie, that phrase hits different. Think back to the gritty “Bad Boys” era. Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, all defense, all attitude, zero apologies on the court. Miami’s Bam Adebayo carried that same energy, tough, smart, and a brick wall in the paint. For years, Bam defined that no-nonsense style. But now, Carmelo Anthony thinks someone else might be taking that torch. And this time it’s a rookie turning heads, stepping into Bam’s shoes, and maybe reviving that “Bad Boys” legacy all over again. 

And now that legacy might be creeping back into the NBA spotlight in a fresh new way. Another generation of tough-minded players is stepping up, filling the shoes left behind by that hard-nosed Detroit squad. And Carmelo Anthony is calling it out, naming rookies he believes are reviving that fierce, defense-first mentality on the hardwood. 

On a recent episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, Carmelo Anthony gave flowers to the Pistons’ defense and dropped a few bold comparisons. He called back to the gritty legacy of Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Dennis Rodman, the original kings of lockdown defense. But Melo believes that fierce mentality is alive again in Detroit, thanks to a new duo bringing the heat every night.

Then came the big shoutout: “Jalen Duren, he is like the new Bam Adebayo… He is the guy.” At 6-foot-10, Duren’s presence in the paint has started to turn heads, and he’s only getting more dangerous by the game. This comparison suggests Duren possesses a similar blend of athleticism, defensive versatility, and a burgeoning leadership quality that defines Adebayo’s impact.

Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren are reviving that physical, no-nonsense defense the Pistons were once feared for. “Stewart don’t mind fouling,” Melo said, and to be honest, that man plays like every possession is a street fight. Their combined physicality in the frontcourt creates a daunting challenge for opposing offenses.

The “Bad Boys” were the heartbeat of the Detroit Pistons during the late ’80s and early ’90s. That nickname didn’t reflect off-court behavior. It symbolized their no-mercy playing style that made opponents fear stepping into the paint. They were a physical force, a team that imposed its will on opponents through sheer toughness and defensive tenacity, a hallmark of a bygone era of NBA basketball.

Carmelo Anthony has advice for Knicks vs Pistons as the “Bad Boy” persona is back

Former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony still rides for New York but he’s warning fans not to sleep on the Detroit Pistons this time. As the 2025 NBA Playoffs tip off, Melo sees a brutal first-round battle brewing between the Knicks and a gritty Detroit squad. As a former Knicks standout, Melo’s perspective carries extra weight for New York fans, and his caution about Detroit’s physicality should be taken seriously.

“They know they got a target on their back,” Anthony said on 7PM in Brooklyn, sizing up the Knicks ahead of Game 1. The opening matchup tips Saturday at 6 PM ET at Madison Square Garden, and Melo thinks it’ll be anything but easy. Detroit’s physicality is what scares him most. The Pistons have taken three of four regular-season matchups and made it look personal. Even when the Knicks missed OG Anunoby and Josh Hart, they still couldn’t match Detroit’s toughness and on-ball pressure.

Carmelo sees shades of the old “Bad Boys” in this young Pistons team. He believes New York needs to prepare accordingly. “You got a young team like Detroit, who has found their identity,” he said. “They’re taking on the persona of the Bad Boys.” He also wants the Knicks to lean on PJ Tucker more, despite his limited minutes since joining late in the season. Adopting the “Bad Boys” mentality signifies a commitment to a tough, defensive-minded approach that can disrupt even the most potent offenses in a playoff series.

Tucker’s playoff experience and physical style, Carmelo believes, could be the X-factor New York needs to match Detroit’s intensity. So here’s the question: Can the Knicks handle the heat? Or are they about to get bullied out of the first round? Let us know: are you Team Orange and Blue, or are the Bad Boys back for real? PJ Tucker’s veteran presence and renowned physicality could be crucial in neutralizing the youthful exuberance and toughness of the Pistons’ frontcourt.