The past is dark in the story of the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons. It was a rivalry that arguably helped shaped the future of the NBA. However, it was a war of vengeance. Michael Jordan seemingly carries his hate for Isiah Thomas and the ‘Bad Boys’ up to this day. Notably, during a press conference, ‘His Airness’ went as far as calling them “thugs” and “undeserving winners” in 1991. Years after the incident, Thomas opened up on the scar it left on their legacy.

Despite the reputation, the Pistons were a championship-winning team. Led by the likes of Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, and Dennis Rodman, they marched over some of the greatest NBA rosters ever assembled. The side single-handedly delayed the Bulls dynasty by getting the better of MJ. However, the five-time MVP didn’t appreciate their ferocious style and unforgiving conduct. After taking a three-game lead in the 1991 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan ripped into the Pistons.

The all-time Chicago Bulls leading scorer called Thomas’ Pistons “undeserving” champions. Despite winning on merit and beating the best of the best, in a recent podcast, Thomas revealed the damage Jordan’s words did to their legacy in the NBA.

Isiah Thomas on Michael Jordan damaging the Bad Boys’ championship reputation

The Detroit Pistons’ 12-time All-Star was a guest on the ‘The Pivot Podcast’. Speaking about his championship motivation and facing the best, the 61-year-old opened up an old wound. Notably, he talked about the time Jordan publicly slaughtered the Pistons while having a foot on their head. Thomas defended his teammates. However, he explained how MJ’s words hurt the Bad Boys’ reputation severely.

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Isiah Thomas said,?“We lose to what our people arguably say ‘the greatest basketball teams ever’. We got those teams beat and then we knock them off. And then this dude sit up there and say, ‘Y’all undeserving? Y’all bad for the game?’. We got our little crew in Detroit trying to stand up for Detroit. But we can’t fight the onslaught of the national media and what they was putting on Detroit.”

According to Thomas, Jordan’s ‘lies’ were why the ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons became the villains of the basketball world. Moreover, it was apparently also the reason he didn’t shake his hand after losing in 1991. Despite beating champions such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the primary focus was their brute playing style, which led to the Pistons being labeled as dangerous for the game due to their infamous ‘Jordan Rules’.

While their approach was much more physical, the Pistons were arguably carved in championship DNA. Similar to Michael Jordan, the ‘Bad Boys’ wanted to be champions. After heartbreak in 1988, they bounced back to win back-to-back championships, eliminating Jordan and the Bulls in those series. However, the six-time champion’s feelings became the talk of the town and the media.

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Do you agree with Isiah Thomas that Michael Jordan’s words changed the Detroit Piston’s reputation? Do you disagree with him? Let us know in the comments below.