“Michael Jordan Doesn’t Give a Damn”: Stephen A. Smith Has Harsh Reality Check for Isiah Thomas

Shannon Sharpe already said it. Now his former colleague is doubling down. Stephen A. Smith is reiterating what most of the NBA community wants to tell Isiah Thomas. Zeke recently stirred the basketball circles when he demanded a public apology from Michael Jordan. Smith, like Sharpe, is a close friend of both MJ and Zeke. And though he isn’t keen on picking sides, he’s content giving one of the side’s perspectives on this matter.

“I’m down the middle, simply giving you the facts as I know them to be,” Smith told the viewers of his eponymous show. “Michael Jordan doesn’t give a damn. He doesn’t care if he doesn’t speak to Isiah Thomas in life again. He’s not fond of him. Period.” 

A few days ago, Isiah Thomas told Draymond Green on his podcast that his friendship with Michael Jordan is not salvageable after he called him an “a**hole” on The Last Dance. Smith, who maintains he’s a friend of both NBA veterans, said Jordan is not losing sleep over it.

“Michael Jordan feels the way that he feels about Isaiah Thomas dating back to their competitive days when Michael Jordan was on a come-up as a member of the Chicago Bulls and Isiah Thomas was winning championships,” Smith said. He proceeded to say that Zeke had a very impressive and successful career after the NBA. With everything on his plate, Smith thinks Thomas should take a cue from Jordan and not care about being liked.

Smith is not the only one saying Isiah is expecting too much from that apology. Shannon Sharpe, along with Gilbert Arenas, said it was never about likeability or the team. It’s just personal.

Shannon Sharpe hopes his friend, Zeke, moves on

Shannon Sharpe said on Nightcap, “You ain’t getting that apology,” referencing Zeke. He said that Thomas is holding on to a grudge for nothing and should not hold his breath for Jordan to restore the friendship.

READ MORE: Michael Jordan’s Bulls Are ‘Crying’ Over NBA Norms as Isiah Thomas Debunks Almost 40 year old ‘Insult’

Gilbert Arenas instead said that Zeke and MJ’s friendship had its fair share of ups and downs, including the 1985 All-Star Game and the handshake incident. Thomas also took a jab at the Bulls for moaning about the Pistons walking away from the court. For that snub, Arenas said that Jordan had a lot more reason to take it personally against Thomas. But Jordan is instead uncaring of Thomas’ opinion.

It’s undeniable that Michael Jordan doesn’t care much about losing a few friends in recent years. Do you think Zeke should take heed of Smith’s comments and move on?

READ MORE: “Larry Bird, Magic (Johnson) Ain’t Even in the League”: Frustrated Isiah Thomas Gets Blunt on 1994 Dream Team Snub