NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas recently shared his dismay at an unforeseen feud with basketball superstar Michael Jordan. This new information offers insights on the complex dynamics and sometimes unresolved tensions that exist within the world of professional sports.
The unexpected nature of the feud, as well as Thomas’ claim of ignorance, shone light on the intricacies of interpersonal relationships amongst famous athletes. The history and circumstances of the mysterious conflict, offers insights into the lives of two renowned basketball players.
Isiah Thomas claims he didn’t know about Michael Jordan beef
Very few rivalries in basketball history are as legendary as the one between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan, who were bitter competitors in late 1980s Eastern Conference clashes. Isiah Thomas recently made an astonishing admission, claiming that he was completely unaware that he was entangled in a conflict with Jordan.
Thomas’s revelation came after the documentary series ‘The Last Dance,’ which probed the tensions and dynamics of the time, was released.Isiah Thomas reaffirmed his perspective, recalling a previous interview for the documentary. Jordan and his producer approached him personally to conduct the interview.
Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, speaking at the ForbesBLK Summit in Atlanta, opened up about his strained relationship with Michael Jordan:
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) November 6, 2023
“This beef that we supposedly had,”Thomas said, “well, I didn’t know anything about it until The Last Dance.” pic.twitter.com/v8kAycjz4y
Thomas discovered evidence of the alleged conflict using this technique, and he expressed genuine amazement at the discovery. He even challenged anyone to fact-check his claims, emphasizing that he had not made any derogatory remarks about Jordan.
The rivalry between Thomas and Jordan had deep roots, stemming from Thomas’ time with the Detroit Pistons, known for their physically dominating style of play, often targeting Jordan. Their main point of contention seemed to be Jordan’s ultimatum regarding his participation on Team USA, in which he refused to join the team unless Thomas was included.
Isiah Thomas says he didn’t know Michael Jordan had beef with him
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 6, 2023
“I didn’t know anything about it until The Last Dance.”
(Via @DarnellMayberry ) pic.twitter.com/YnuGufEBgh
How did Michael Jordan beef with Isiah Thomas start?
For years, basketball fans have been perplexed by the long-running dispute between NBA legends Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. According to one popular theory, the enmity began during the 1985 All-Star Game, when Thomas supposedly arranged a “freeze-out” of Jordan, resulting in a rookie Jordan scoring only seven points.
Despite popular assumption, Thomas strongly denied any such occurrence, claiming that it was a bogus accusation. Nonetheless, their rivalry intensified throughout their tough Eastern Conference matches and culminated during the selection process for the 1992 Dream Team, where Thomas believed Jordan had a hand in his exclusion.
Former Chicago Bulls player Brad Sellers, however, has a unique perspective on this conflict. According to Sellers, the essence of the feud was territorial. Isiah Thomas, a Chicago native, had worked hard to become one of the city’s most recognized figures before Michael Jordan arrived. Jordan’s immense popularity in Chicago overshadowed Thomas, creating a sense of rivalry.
