Gilbert Arenas Says Isiah Thomas’ Pistons Were Accused of “Cheating” Despite Ending Decades-Old Drought

“They hated it! “Y’all cheating!” While it may be a norm now, the introduction of chartered flights in the NBA faced some backlash as per 3x NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. Known for his unique and often controversial statements, Agent Zero ignited a storm by questioning the legitimacy of the Detroit Pistons‘ back-to-back championships in the late ’80s. At a time when travel logistics often affected a team’s performance on the court, Arenas claimed an unfair advantage aided the Pistons’ success.

In a video shared on the Pat Bev podcast, Arenas discussed how the Pistons were the first pro sports team to own a private plane, which he believes played a crucial role in their back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. “Yeah, so the 2 years they won the championship, they get to fly early,” Arenas stated. The Pistons’ private plane, Roundball One, purchased by then-owner William Davidson for $2.5 million and introduced in 1987, allowed the team to travel more efficiently, which, according to Arenas, gave them a significant edge.

However, when show host Adam Ferrone asked about players’ reactions and whether they appreciated Isiah Thomas for introducing private planes to the NBA, Arenas replied bluntly, “They hated it! Y’all cheating!” His response highlights the resentment felt by other teams who viewed the Pistons’ advantage as an unfair manipulation of travel logistics.

Arenas further elaborated on why other players disapproved of Detroit’s edge. He explained that when teams had back-to-back games, they typically stayed overnight in hotels, leaving them less time to rest for the next game. In contrast, the Pistons could fly out immediately and reach their destinations earlier, allowing more time for rest and preparation. This disparity, according to Arenas, was the main factor in their success.

He implied that this slight difference in travel logistics helped the Pistons clinch their consecutive championships. “They won a championship, and everyone was like, ‘Nah, we need a plane too,'” he noted.

However, this isn’t the first time Arenas has made such claims; in an old podcast, he voiced similar thoughts, which drew significant backlash from Pistons legend Isiah Thomas, who criticized Arenas’ assertions.

Isiah Thomas Thrashed Gilbert Arenas for His Bizarre Claim

In a previous podcast, Agent Zero stirred the same controversy by attributing the Detroit Pistons’ back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990 to their private plane. “So the two years that they actually won, the year they got the private plane, they won a championship,” he claimed.

Continuing his argument, Arenas pointed out that the ’80s were dominated by NBA legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. He implied that the Pistons only managed to break through because of their unique travel advantage. According to Arenas, the private plane gave Detroit an edge that allowed them to overcome the era’s dominant forces, leading to their unexpected victories.

However, Isiah Thomas did not take kindly to Arenas’ remarks. Taking to social media, Thomas reposted the podcast video on X with a sharp rebuttal: “My brother Gilbert Arenas, with all due respect, we @DetroitPistons and I played against and beat Magic, Kareem, Bird, and Jordan.” Thomas emphasized that the Pistons’ success was due to their exceptional skills and determination, not merely the convenience of a private plane.

He also highlighted that they revolutionized the NBA by introducing the private plane, which now allows players more rest and recovery time. The same concern was raised in the WNBA in recent years and the switch to private planes worked wonders for everyone involved.

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