ESPN tonight will debut its latest "30 for 30" documentary – "Bad Boys" – which profiles the Pistons of the late '80s and early '90s. The film features interviews with former players Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Adrian Dantley, Mark Aguirre, Michael Jordan, Kevin McHale and James Worthy. The film is directed by Zak Levitt and produced by NBA Entertainment. Levitt helmed previous NBA-focused docs such as "The Dream Team," "The Doctor," "The Announcement" and "Once Brothers" (THE DAILY).
VARIETY's Brian Lowry wrote Levitt "makes several questionable choices," from having Kid Rock "as his tough-talkin' narrator – a nod to the town, yes, but grating over the course of two hours – to introducing Pistons alums with staged posturing for the camera, which feels like something out of a weak reality show" (VARIETY.com, 4/11). The BOSTON BLOBE's Gary Washburn wrote the "still simmering beef" between Aguirre and Dantley was "perhaps the most interesting aspect" of the film (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/13). The DETROIT FREE PRESS’ Steve Schrader wrote the doc “captures the spirit of that era, the Pistons and Detroit" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/7).
