The Olympic stage encountered history in 1992. NBA talent was given the green light to take part on the international platform. This gave the rise to Dream Team. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, and all the top superstars made up one of the most iconic teams. However, one of the greats, Isiah Thomas became a stranger to the cause. Years later, the Detroit Pistons legend got his chance to vent. And he chose Pippen as his victim.
The Bad Boy Pistons swerved toward the wrong side of almost every NBA team. Thomas was the ringleader of the two-time champions in the 1980s. He lost his close bond with his friend Magic Johnson after their finals battle. On the other hand, His Airness and the Hall of Famer feuded for many years. Likewise, Jordan and many others stood on the other side.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Zeke held in his frustrations for several years before getting his chance to speak out. In a hilarious segment, the two-time champion went after Jordan’s right hand, Scottie Pippen.
Isiah Thomas will do with Michael Jordan, not Scottie Pippen
With the legends in one room, the heat was following Scottie Pippen. Likewise, Reggie Miller noticed the tension. That’s when Zeke exploded. Often, Pippen’s success goes in the name of MJ. Moreover, Zeke even said the six-time champion never carried the league, it was always Michael Jordan. Looking back at him admitting not wanting Thomas, the two-time champion went off. Dismissing Pippen as the determining factor, he enunciated the Dream Team would be just fine without the Chicago Bulls legend.
Isiah Thomas said: “If Jordan is like look, ‘I’m not playing if Isiah playing’, okay. But if Scottie Pippen, ‘I’m not playing if Isiah is playing’, man go to the park.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Most fans would agree Isiah Thomas deserved a place next to Michael Jordan in the Dream Team. The Bad Boy was a Finals MVP and arguably one of the best PGs in the NBA. Putting up 17.6 points and 8.5 assists that season, the two-time champion was still capable of making an impact. Surprisingly, despite having Chuck Daly leading the roster, Zeke couldn’t get his place. We can’t say of MJ and Thomas could have become friends on the iconic 1992 team.
Watch This Story: Michael Jordan’s greatest duels with Isiah Thomas Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and others
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Imagination is as far as the basketball world can go with this situation. Fans would probably have loved to see Zeke throw a lob for Air Jordan during the 1992 Olympics. However, the story had a long-lasting rivalry written for them.
Do you think Michael Jordan and Pippen could ever forgive Isiah Thomas for the 1991 incident? Let us know your views in the comments below.