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Michael Jordan’s Decision Brings Isiah Thomas Closer to Charles Barkley Over 32YO Controversy

Published 05/03/2024, 10:35 PM EDT

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Charles Barkley joined sports radio host Dan Patrick’s show where he threw light on his situation with the NBA on TNT. With all the attention shifting towards it, do not miss out on what he had to say about Detroit Pistons icon Isiah Thomas and his snub from the Dream Team. Barkley has always given his honest thoughts with a clear-cut opinion on any matter. He stuck to the same when he was asked if Isiah Thomas deserved to be on the Dream Team. His honest opinion has now got a huge appreciation from Isiah Thomas himself. 

Charles Barkley, who was the highest scorer in the 1992 Olympic team told Patrick, I feel bad for Isiah, because he is the best little man ever, until Steph Curry. He never probably got the credit or the respect he deserved. I got nothing but respect for Isiah.” Barkley was questioned straightaway, Were you involved in the discussions with the Olympic team of not wanting Isiah? Were you around the conversation?” Barkley kept it real.

“Never. They never asked meI’m glad you asked that. Every time I hear that BS, it’s like, ‘No man they never asked me‘. Should Isiah have been on the team? Probably. But I was never asked”, told Barkley. These words reached Thomas’s ears, who decided to appreciate Barkley for it. 

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The 2x Pistons champion wrote on Twitter, Thank you Charles I truly appreciate you and your honesty and our friendship”.

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Michael Jordan‘s decision didn’t work one bit for Thomas back then. At least, it has helped increase the respect between Barkley and Thomas now

What controversial decision did Michael Jordan make to snub Isiah Thomas?

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The 1992 Dream Team had the best players from America like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, etc. Isiah Thomas had just won two back-to-back championships for the Pistons in 1989 and 1990. However, the selectors decided to ignore his peak form to side with Michael Jordan’s controversial decision. 

The Chicago Bulls legend told Team USA that he would not be a part of the 1992 Olympics team if Thomas was a part of the roster. It was not just Jordan. There were a few others too, who did not want Thomas on the team. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson said, “Isiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics. Nobody on that team wanted to play with him.” Years later now, Barkley addressed the issue with his honest opinion. He cleared the air by mentioning he had no part in denying the Pistons icon into the teamhttp://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/michael-jordan/

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Written by:

Rohan Dharmalingam

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Rohan Dharmalingam is an NBA beat writer at EssentiallySports, who extensively covers the Lakers. Be it a multimillion dollar deal breaking or a classic throwback, Rohan has covered the many themes and formats. Most notably, his coverage received a shoutout from the Purple & Gold icon Shaquille O'Neal and the rap legend 50 Cent, on Instagram.
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Edited by:

Jayant Chhabra