“He’s a Flopper.. That’s Not Good Defense”: Michael Jordan Had a Cryptic View of Dennis Rodman With Resentment for “Angelic-Looking” Isiah Thomas Before 1995

Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman had a lot of differences off the court, but their competitiveness while playing often made them unplayable. However, there was a chance NBA fans might never have witnessed Rodman and Jordan playing together. Jordan did not think too highly of Rodman when the latter played for the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons always gave Jordan and the Bulls a run for their money, and this worsened the relationship between the players. In fact, Rodman was once called a ‘flopper’ by MJ.

On the other hand, Joe Dumars of the Pistons was in the good books of Jordan. However, similar to Rodman, Pistons legend Isiah Thomas was not someone who was well-liked by MJ.

Michael Jordan preferred another Pistons player over Rodman initially

The Dennis Rodman trade is widely considered to be one of the greatest trades in Bulls history. The Chicago Bulls brought in Rodman while sending Will Purdue to the San Antonio Spurs in 1995. Interestingly enough, Michael Jordan played an important role in convincing the higher-ups of the organization to bring in someone like Rodman.

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Way before this blockbuster trade, MJ wasn’t too fond of Rodman. In the book ‘Jordan Rules’, Sam Smith quoted the six-time NBA champion giving his honest opinions about Rodman who was still at the Detroit Pistons back then. Jordan reportedly said, “He’s a flopper. He just falls down and tries to get the calls. That’s not good defense.”

Joe Dumars of the Pistons had earned his respect from Jordan while Rodman couldn’t initially. Interestingly enough, it was not only Rodman who was disliked by MJ. The NBA legend had similar feelings for Isiah Thomas as well.

Isiah Thomas was in the bad books of Jordan

Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan had some of the most intense matchups in NBA history. In the same book, it was revealed that “Jordan’s resentment towards angelic-looking Thomas is deep.”

The Pistons legend was often seen as the face of the ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons. Naturally, he had a sour relationship with MJ. Their rivalry started all the way back in 1985 when Thomas allegedly freezed out Jordan from the All-Star game and the two have not mended their relationship to date.

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