Isiah Thomas Broke Michael Jordan to a Point Where He Wanted to Trade Scottie Pippen and Rebuild Bulls
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Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons were a force to reckon with during the late 80s. The Pistons were without a championship before Isiah Thomas. However, that changed as they reached three straight NBA Finals, winning two. Michael Jordan and his Bulls then took over from the Pistons and dominated the next decade, winning six championships.
Isiah Thomas spent his entire career with the Pistons, winning two championships. They gave a tough time to almost every championship contender such as the Lakers and the Bulls. Jordan won his first championship seven years after joining the Bulls. Moreover, it was the Pistons who ended the Bulls’ championship hopes from 1988 to 1990, beating them in the playoffs.
via Getty
CHICAGO – 1991: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls jumps to shoot a basket against the Detroit Pistons as Cliff Levingston #53 of the Bulls, Dennis Rodman #10 of the Pistons and Isiah Thomas #11 of the Pistons watch the shot at the Chicago Stadium during the 1991 NBA Playoffs in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
However, the Bulls faced the Pistons again in the 1991 playoffs. This time Jordan’s Bulls swept the Pistons in four games and went on to with their first championships. The Pistons’ dynasty ended, but they gave a tough time to the Bulls. Moreover, Jordan wanted to trade Pippen because he thought the latter couldn’t stand up to the Pistons.
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Michael Jordan didn’t believe in Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant
‘The Jordan Rules’ author, Sam Smith, gave an interview to the Chicago Tribune in 2020. During the interview, Sam revealed that Jordan didn’t think Pippen and Grant could physically stand up to the Pistons.
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“He (Michael Jordan) was not a believer in (Scottie) Pippen or (Horace) Grant and felt they couldn’t physically stand up to what the Pistons were delivering,” Sam Smith said. “So it was really a crucial turning point for the team. But there was no suggestion that I’ve got a bestseller on my hands, we’ve got a dynasty at its foundation. Nobody was thinking anything like that, including the players or management.”
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Isiah Thomas didn’t have a great relationship with Jordan. Even after his retirement, the two haven’t sorted out their 3-decade long feud.
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While Jordan wanted Scottie Pippen to be traded at that time, it didn’t happen for good. Pippen and Jordan formed an insane duo on the court for the Bulls and helped the franchise win six championships.
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