G Herbo didn’t just start a debate- he detonated one. If anyone expected former NBA vets to clap back at his “Michael Jordan has no left” claim, they were in for a surprise. Instead of outrage, Herbo’s comments drew more agreement than backlash. While takes from Kendrick Perkins and Richard Jefferson have become almost routine at this point, the real shock came from a legend whose rivalry with MJ defined an era.

The Chicago rapper boldly claimed that Derrick Rose is more beloved in Chicago than Michael Jordan, despite Jordan’s six championship rings and untouchable legacy. The crew on Road Trippin’ picked it up, and both Perkins and Jefferson sided with Herbo. But the biggest stamp came from none other than Isiah Thomas- Jordan’s longtime nemesis- who dropped into the show’s Instagram comments with a simple but loaded response: “All love ❤️ for D 🌹”

Now, some fans were quick to accuse Isiah of saying this out of pettiness, not genuine admiration. After all, his rivalry with Jordan was the defining feud of the late ’80s NBA- Bad Boys vs. Air Jordan. Thomas was also long believed to be embittered by the infamous Dream Team snub, which Jordan allegedly helped orchestrate. The two were once close off the court, but The Last Dance documentary in 2020 reignited every buried grudge, leading to a very public fallout.

So when Isiah showed love for Rose- Chicago’s own hometown MVP- it wasn’t just another comment on Instagram. It was a message layered with old wounds, city pride, and a subtle reminder that Chicago basketball has more than one legend to celebrate.

Thomas has since been on a campaign to diminish Jordan every chance he got on podcasts or on social media. This might look like it. But it’s really not.

While Zeke is the franchise legend for the ‘Bad Boy Pistons,’ he is a Chicago native. With all the Jordan-ness in Windy City, it’s easy to forget it’s Zeke’s town because he didn’t get to represent it.

He credits the Bulls for giving him opportunities to train when he was only a kid from the West Side. There’s a street named after his mother here and a family foundation also named after his mother gives back to the community.

He’s deep in the Chi-Town culture to have a pulse of what G Herbo is talking about. But he’s also got a more meaningful connection to Pooh than his animosity with Jordan.

D-Rose and Zeke Occupy the Michael Jordan vacuum in Chicago

Just like Zeke, G Herbo is a Chicago native too. For locals, the Bulls going to six finals and one of their own going to the NBA, much more the Bulls are two very different feelings. Kind of like why Chicago native, Dwyane Wade chose to play with D-Rose in his hometown team after a storeyed career in Miami.

After Herbo said on Club Shay Shay that Derrick Rose is bigger than Michael Jordan in Chicago for sentimental reasons, Perkins and Jefferson agreed.

“I agree with him. D Rose is bigger than Michael Jordan when it comes to being in Chicago,” Perk said. He further said that Pooh’s work in the community further makes him a hero and he’ll get a statue similar to Jordan’s outside the United Center for sure in the future.

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Outside the city, most would argue Rose didn’t do enough to be a franchise legend. But he has a big presence in Chicago. D-Rose going to the NBA and repping Chicago was as big as the West Side kid, Zeke winning two NBA championships. Even Rose feels that sentiment that he snubbed Jordan for his biggest rival.

“My GOAT now is Isiah Thomas because he’s from Chicago,” Rose said a few months ago. “The only guy who beat Magic [Johnson], Mike [Jordan], and [Larry] Bird all in their prime at 6-3. Chicago’s way of doing s—.” That pretty much sums up how much Chicago’s basketaball culture goes deeper than a player.

Herbo admitted he was too young to know how 90s basketball fans felt when His Airness united Chi-town against the Pistons. Several other NBA players have spoken about Jordan’s disconnect with the city.

A recluse his entire public life, he rarely engaged with the public as much as he maintained his hometown ties to North Carolina, including opening free clinics there. He’s been a resident of Florida since retirement and managed to sell the famous Highland Park mansion after a decade on the market.

The post Last Dance friction with the Bulls too became more obvious when Jordan skipped the inaugural Ring of Fire ceremony. The most he’s done is appear as a video message on the United Center screens during Blackhawks star, Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement.

Fans were even critical of Nike’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordans lacking enough presence from the Jumpman himself.

In contrast, D-Rose and Zeke’s presence in Chicago is palpable. No pettiness there. Isiah Thomas sees one hero for his hometown and it’s not Michael Jordan.