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Some rivalries are etched deep within the roots of the NBA. Such is the bad blood Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas share. Decades after fighting for the NBA throne, the tension between the duo is still fresh. Recently their rivalry heated back up again when Zeke spoke about it on the ‘All the Smoke’ podcast. The Pistons legend demanded a public apology from the Chicago Bulls legend to squash the decades-long beef. Meanwhile, Thomas has once again brought up Jordan’s name on social media, leaving NBA fans in chaos.

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Back in 1988, the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls fought for Eastern Conference supremacy. In a regular-season battle, Jordan smoked the Bad Boys for 59 points. But just as fans were glorifying his carnage, Zeke reminded them who the ultimate winner was.

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Isiah Thomas won’t stop going after Michael Jordan

The rivalry between the Bulls and the Bad Boy Pistons was a phase in the NBA mainly characterized by the infamous ‘Jordan rules’. At the center of the Pistons was Isiah Thomas leading the way for his troops. Their physical style wasn’t appreciated by the stars of the league, but it got the job done. Before the six championships in the 90s, the Pistons gave Jordan nightmares.

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During the 1988 regular season, His Airness embarrassed the Pistons in a game that was watched by millions. The 5x MVP went superhuman and exploded for 59 points and 6 assists in a nail-biting win for Chicago. Marking 35 years after the incident, Ballislife.com refreshed fans’ memories of MJ’s exemplary display.

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It looked like another Michael Jordan W until Zeke saw the post. He gave a chilling response that only aggravated their long-standing beef. He responded, 35 years ago I led my team Bad Boy @DetroitPistons to the NBA finals, it all depends on which story you want to tell and sale.”

Going along with the demand for a public apology, Isiah Thomas seems to be out for blood. In 1988, Zeke beat Michael Jordan in the playoffs and even took the Pistons all the way to the NBA Finals. Sadly they lost to Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in a thrilling seven-game series. Redemption wouldn’t take long for Thomas. The Bad Boys would win back-to-back championships in the following two seasons and take their place in history as a dynasty.

Fans hail Zeke for shutting down Jordan’s memorable anniversary

Reacting to the Hall of Famer’s cold response, NBA Twitter exploded. Many fans stood by Zeke encouraging him to let the facts be known. One fan said, “Let it be told!”

One fan loved the trash-talking energy and said, “this is some elite trash talk”

Here are some of the other reactions fans had to the interaction.

https://twitter.com/pleasesaythe2es/status/1643273380408295427?s=20

Watch this story:??I Never Heard It From Michael Jordan?: Hurt By The Last Dance Betrayal, Isiah Thomas Still Seeks An Apology

It seems like this rivalry still has some years to come to a close. If it does, do you think it will be with a Michael Jordan public apology? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,653 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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Satagni Sikder

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