Everyone could be Detroit, except Detroit. That’s how Isiah sees it. After dominating with a physical, in-your-face style in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the Pistons became a blueprint for success. But instead of being celebrated, they were vilified. Other teams copied their playbook and got praised. Detroit? Pushed to the sidelines. It wasn’t just about basketball—it was about perception, power, and who the league wanted front and center.

That double standard still stings. Because it wasn’t just a shift in strategy, it was a shift in narrative. When Detroit played tough, such as the “Jordan Rules,” specifically designed to physically punish Michael Jordan whenever he drove to the basket. The primary tactic?  To put Jordan on the ground every time he attacked the rim was called “dirty.” When others did the same, it was “championship culture.” The league embraced the grit, just not from the city that birthed it. Isiah’s frustration echoes a deeper truth: Detroit never fit the NBA’s polished mold, and for that, it paid a price.

“The league has never been for Detroit. You’re trying to fit in. Excuse me when I say this, you’re going to keep losing. When you’re trying to fit in, you’re going to keep losing,” stated Isaiah Thomas while in a conversation on The 97.1 FM Ticket, shared on Instagram. With that statement, Isaiah Thomas addressed a long-brewing feeling that the league has been disrespectful and against the NBA. 

To explain the context that ties back decades, here is a prominent and recent example of perceived disrespect toward the Detroit Pistons. Recently, during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in March 2025. The incident drew widespread attention due to the reaction of Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who publicly condemned the officiating and accused the league of showing a lack of respect for his team. 

Amid the feeling of disrespect, another factor ties in perfectly. The growing unprofessionalism in the league, exacerbated by the commissioner’s apparent bias towards LeBron James. Isaiah Thomas had some words towards a recent incident, where James was seen warming up pre-game, shirtless, wearing a durag.  He said, “The professionalism in our NBA league has diminished so much….Adam Silver if you want to fine somebody, fine that!” poking silver to fine LeBron over his pre-game antics, as players should not go unscathed because of favoritism.

So, what is this LeBron bias? Call it coincidence or calculated PR, but the theory stems from more than a few moments that seemed to tilt in LeBron’s favor; it is a theory that has emerged over multiple instances of favoritism toward LeBron. Well, one might dismiss it if it occurred only once or twice, but here are a few instances that have helped prove this theory.

The LeBron bias

The whole “LeBron James bias” thing keeps popping up.  It’s one of those topics that refuses to die. Back in November 2024, Silver called Michael Jordan the GOAT and jokingly added, “don’t tell LeBron I said that.” Just a playful jab, right? But some LeBron fans weren’t having it. They felt it was disrespectful, even accusing Silver of being biased against LeBron just for not picking him. Wild, considering Silver has actually praised LeBron a lot, especially when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Some say that praise shows favoritism, but honestly, that’s just the norm for a player of LeBron’s caliber.

Then there’s the whole officiating thing. A lot of fans and even players think stars like LeBron get more favorable calls, like refs let certain things slide to keep the show going. Silver’s been on record saying players need to stop complaining about officiating, stating, “I would stop complaining about officiating, if I was a player,” but fans argue that guys like Steph Curry, who rarely complain, actually get less love from the refs.

When Curry asked for the referee grading system to be made public, Adam Silver responded, “Everyone in this room is familiar with human resources issues, and nobody necessarily wants to have their employment record published. I think we just have to find the right balance there.” That only adds fuel to the “LeBron gets special treatment” fire.

Then there was that whole LeBron James vs. Stephen A. Smith drama. When things got spicy, following comments from Smith suggesting that Bronny received playing time in the NBA owing to his father’s influence, Silver stayed neutral. He didn’t side with LeBron, didn’t bash Stephen A., just gave a diplomatic take on how media debates are part of the league’s ecosystem, saying, “There’s seemingly as much social media interest in this league at all times….it’s wonderful to see so much intersest in our sport…at the other time, I cringe at the coverage….when it becomes personal between a media member and a player, it’s not something I want to see as the comissioner of this league.” Now, given the commissioner’s disposition toward the issue, it kind of becomes ambiguous.

Between his longevity, high free-throw numbers, and constant spotlight, it’s no wonder people keep debating. Is it bias or just greatness? Depends on who you ask. What do you think?