Isiah Thomas Reveals Michael Jordan’s Dark Side: The Rivalry You Didn’t Know

Isiah Thomas, the Detroit Pistons icon, has never fully moved on from his rivalry with Michael Jordan.

More than two decades after the Netflix documentary The Last Dance aired, Thomas remains vocal about how he was portrayed and how Jordan treated him during their battles on the court and beyond.

Thomas recently gave an interview expressing his displeasure with the documentary, which largely framed him as an antagonist in Jordan’s story.

Since the documentary was Jordan-centric, Thomas’s portrayal was understandably one-sided, but the Hall of Famer insists he deserves an apology from Jordan for the way he was depicted.

The rivalry between Thomas and Jordan was legendary.

Their teams, the Pistons and the Bulls, faced off multiple times in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the Pistons often getting the upper hand.

The Pistons’ physical, aggressive style earned them the nickname “The Bad Boys,” and they were notorious for playing tough defense on Jordan.

One major source of tension was the infamous 1991 Eastern Conference Finals where the Bulls swept the Pistons.

After the final game, many Pistons players, including Thomas, walked off the court without shaking hands with the Bulls.

Jordan saw this as a deep sign of disrespect and held a grudge for years, even calling Thomas an “a-hole” in private comments later revealed in the documentary.

Thomas defended the walk-off as part of the basketball culture at the time, pointing out that similar actions had occurred in previous series, including those involving Larry Bird’s Celtics.

However, Jordan refused to accept this explanation, and the bitterness between the two only grew.

The documentary also highlighted some of Jordan’s less savory moments, such as his intense temper, his clashes with teammates, and his ruthless competitiveness.

Jordan’s attitude toward the Pistons and Thomas was no exception; he openly expressed disdain for them, which fueled the rivalry.

Interestingly, the feud extended beyond the court.

Thomas was controversially left off the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, a decision that shocked many fans and insiders.

Rumors swirled that Jordan’s influence played a role in Thomas’s exclusion.

For years, Jordan denied involvement, but a quote later surfaced in Jack McCallum’s Dream Team book, where Jordan reportedly said he wouldn’t play if Thomas was on the team.

This revelation added fuel to the fire, confirming suspicions that the rivalry had political and personal dimensions beyond basketball.

Thomas’s exclusion was so contentious that members of the Olympic selection committee resigned in protest.

Their rivalry began even earlier, reportedly starting with a cold encounter at the 1984 All-Star weekend.

Jordan claimed Thomas ignored him in an elevator, an incident Jordan says sparked rumors that he was arrogant.

Thomas disputes this version of events, denying any intentional snub.

Another flashpoint was the 1985 All-Star Game, where Jordan alleged Thomas and other players refused to pass him the ball, effectively freezing him out.

Thomas has publicly denied these claims, calling them lies and insisting the story is inaccurate.

Despite the animosity, both players acknowledged the rivalry pushed them to improve.

Jordan credited the Pistons’ physical style with motivating him to add strength and toughness to his game.

This fierce competition helped elevate Jordan’s career and the Bulls’ dominance in the 1990s.

However, the personal bitterness lingers.

Thomas continues to call out Jordan publicly, accusing him of hypocrisy and unfair treatment.

Jordan, for his part, has rarely responded directly, maintaining his stance on their troubled history.

The rivalry between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan is more than just a sports feud.

It reveals the intense emotions, politics, and personal grudges that can shape professional sports at the highest levels.

Their story is a reminder that behind the glory and championships, there are complex human dynamics at play.

Fans continue to debate who was right or wrong, and whether Thomas’s criticisms are justified.

What’s clear is that their rivalry helped define an era of NBA basketball, influencing how players compete and how narratives are crafted around legends.

As the years pass, this saga remains unresolved, with both players firmly entrenched in their perspectives.

Whether an apology will ever come or the feud will finally end remains uncertain.