Michael Jordan ?Was Afraid to Say Anything? in an Elevator Despite Intense Rivalry With Isiah Thomas, Just to Safeguard His Public Image in the 1980s

The Bad Boys Pistons were among Michael Jordan‘s greatest rivals during his career. They eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the NBA playoffs on two occasions. Isiah Thomas, the point guard for the Pistons, was particularly regarded as one of Jordan’s main rivals. In a previous interview, Jordan disclosed why he chose to remain silent when he ran into Thomas in an elevator.

Isiah Thomas, the leader of the Detroit Pistons, played a pivotal role in their consecutive NBA championship wins in 1989 and 1990. He is widely regarded as one of the finest point guards in the history of the league and proved to be one of Michael Jordan’s most formidable competitors throughout his career. The Detroit team from that era gained a reputation for their physical style of play, often employing aggressive tactics against their opponents.

Michael Jordan runs into his rival in an elevator

It was noted that Michael Jordan was once in an elevator with Isiah Thomas. Jordan didn’t greet Thomas there. It was assumed that MJ failed to greet Thomas because of his rivalry. But in an interview with Vanity Fair MJ revealed the real reason behind his silence.

In a 1998 interview with Vanity Fair, Michael Jordan addressed the elevator incident, providing an explanation for his silence. He stated, “But there was a reason. I was in an elevator full of great players and I was afraid to say anything. I didn’t want to come off as being too confident, so I didn’t say a word.”

Jordan refuted the rumors suggesting that his silence stemmed from nervousness, emphasizing that his hesitation was due to being surrounded by top-tier players. It is evident that Jordan defended himself in order to uphold his public image, considering his prominent stature within the league.

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History of rivalry between Chicago and Detroit

From 1988 to 1990, the Detroit Pistons eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the NBA playoffs for three consecutive years. However, the dynamic changed for the Bulls when they acquired Scottie Pippen, as Chicago sought revenge against Detroit. In 1991, the Bulls defeated the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking a significant turning point.

This victory propelled Michael Jordan and the Bulls to win their first-ever NBA championship, igniting a dominant era where they would secure six titles within the following eight years. The rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons remains one of the most memorable in NBA history.

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