Michael Jordan was one of the multiple wonders of the NBA during the late 80s and through the 90s. According to a large sum of basketball fans, MJ is the undeniable GOAT of the sport. He specialized in almost every aspect of the game, from scoring, defending, facilitating, and sometimes being the on-court coach as well. Jordan always dictated a game and it was nearly impossible for opponents to decode his schemes.
During the initial stages of his career, the NBA had a couple of big-time rivalries that existed between the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, and Chicago Bulls. These four teams would consistently battle it out during the playoffs and each of them managed to earn their stripes somehow. His Airness was slowly making his mark on the league. It wasn’t until the 90s that the Bulls finally made it through to the finals. And once Mike got to that stage, other players began to envy his success.
One of those players was Isiah Thomas, known as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Thomas had deep resentment toward Michael Jordan and there were several reasons behind it. However, the hatred was mutual as even Jordan didn’t like Thomas as much. The Pistons star often passed comments that accused the NBA of giving recognition to Larry Bird because he was white. Other stars didn’t like IT because he was a dirty player.
Michael Jordan’s fame in Chicago could’ve influenced Isiah Thomas’ resentment towards him
Several theories claim that Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan’s feud stemmed from the 1985 All-Star Game. MJ started the game as a rookie but rumors claimed that Thomas tried to snub Mike out of the game. Which was why Jordan only finished with 7 points that night. Another theory suggests that it all started when Jordan allegedly didn’t want Thomas to play for the 1992 Dream Team as well. But one theory or opinion stood out the most.
Brad Sellers, a player who competed alongside both individuals claimed that Thomas’ resentment was territorial. According to Sports Illustrated, he said, “The bigger issue was that Isiah was from Chicago, he worked to be one of the top players to represent that city, and Mike came in and eviscerated that.” Sellers added, “I can’t imagine what that felt like for Zeke, to have an outsider come in and have the entire city behind him. There was no love left for him in Chicago, except from family.”
Isiah Thomas wants Michael Jordan on ‘ALL THE SMOKE’
“Tell him to come sit here and answer these questions” 👀
(Via @shobasketball )
pic.twitter.com/c4AjstCsbp— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 4, 2023
IT was born and raised in and around Chicago. As expected, he wanted to represent his hometown as an NBA player, and while Jordan wasn’t in the league, Thomas got exactly what he wanted. But based on Jordan’s career with the Bulls, Chicago fans automatically started praising him for uplifting the city in the sports world. Thomas also allegedly didn’t like the fact that his nephew repped Jordan’s jersey instead of his.