It going to be four decades in a couple of months since the Micheal Jordan – Isiah Thomas feud started. Regardless, from time to time, both take shots at each other. And Zeke is among the handful of NBA icons from the 80s and ’90s who are in LeBron James’ team against Michael Jordan in the “GOAT” debate. But this time, Zeke surprised everyone with a story that, on the surface, praised MJ. The twist? It was more about hyping up LeBron James and sending a warning to his critics.

After the LA Lakers’ rough 80-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Thomas dropped this story during Game Time. He recalled his time coaching the Indiana Pacers when Al Harrington started trash-talking a struggling 36 [37]-year-old Michael Jordan. Thomas immediately called a timeout to address his own player. “I call timeout, right? And I say to Al, I say, hey, look, don’t ever talk to him that way again,” Thomas shared. But why?

Thomas knew better than anyone that even an aging Jordan could flip the switch in a heartbeat. “The next game, we go to Washington. I think he put 40 or 45 on [us]…They never forget,” Thomas said. He used this moment to draw parallels to LeBron, suggesting that the King James would bounce back stronger after the Lakers’ embarrassing defeat. “LeBron James will remember this night and probably try to do something when they get back in L.A.,” Thomas confidently added.

But this was indeed one of Lakers’ disappointing games. Shooting just 40.5% from the field and an abysmal 19.4% from three, their offense was a disaster. The 21 turnovers that led to 26 Minnesota points only made matters worse. They couldn’t keep up on the break, getting outscored by 11, and lost the battle in the paint by 10.

Minnesota, meanwhile, thrived even with Anthony Edwards having an off-night, scoring just eight points. The Wolves held LeBron to a mere 10 points, forcing six turnovers, while D’Angelo Russell carried the Lakers with 20 points. Anthony Davis chipped in with a double-double, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Wolves’ balanced attack.

But Isiah Thomas knows it is just a rough patch. LeBron acknowledges too. “Just rhythm, feeling off rhythm the last few games,” he had said of his performance off late. While he picks up, Thomas is clear of his view of the Lakers’ icon.

Isiah Thomas backs LeBron in “GOAT” debate

Just months ago, Isiah Thomas turned to Instagram to make his case for LeBron James as the GOAT. Sharing reels from fan accounts, Thomas highlighted interviews and stats favoring James. One clip included NBA legends like David Robinson, Gary Payton, Magic Johnson, and Chauncey Billups praising LeBron’s game. Even Dirk Nowitzki, who bested James in the 2011 Finals, admitted, “If he really surpasses Kareem in the scoring record, I mean, I’m sorta running out of arguments for Michael.”

Another reel showcased Thomas himself. In a debate with Skip Bayless, Thomas boldly claimed LeBron surpasses Jordan, crediting James’ basketball IQ. “Jordan, myself, Shaq—we all had Hall of Fame coaches,” he explained. LeBron, on the other hand, never had that luxury. Yet, his ability to dissect opponents’ strategies is out of this world. And Zeke even called him the “Einstein of basketball.”

And the third clip threw it back to the 2007 NBA Finals when LeBron single-handedly carried the Cavs to face Tim Duncan’s Spurs. Duncan, after a game, confessed how challenging it was to contain James. “We’re guarding him with 5 guys,” Duncan said, adding, “He’s the best player in the world.”

In the final clip, longtime rival Kevin Garnett broke down LeBron’s scoring achievement, saying, “The greatest couldn’t do this. Wilt couldn’t do this, Jordan couldn’t do this.”