“My Son Was Wearing Michael Jordan Jerseys and Shoes”: Isiah Thomas Shares How Taken Aback He Was at Hate Comments

We all know how mean Michael Jordan was on the court, and also that he stands by his ways. And with every new episode of ESPN’s ‘The Last Dance’, new talking points are cropping up. And these incidents are also receiving their due reactions.

Isiah Thomas disappointed in Michael Jordan

Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas and MJ had had their share of differences. In the 1991 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, Chicago Bulls defeated the Pistons. The win led Jordan and the Bulls to their first championship. It was also the end of the Pistons’ era and the beginning of the Bulls’ dynasty.

During the Bulls’ glory years, many controversies came up. The Pistons’ era may have ended, but Jordan kept going at Thomas. Apart from physical brawls on the court, many believed the reason Thomas was not on the 1992 Olympics Dream Team was Jordan.

However, Jordan respected his rivals. So he had a lot of admiration for Isiah Thomas’ game.

In ‘The Last Dance’, MJ says, “I respect Isiah Thomas’ talent. To me, the best point guard of all time is Magic Johnson and right behind him is Isiah Thomas. No matter how much I hate him, I respect his game. It was insinuated that I was asking about him (being left off) but I never threw his name in there.”

Apparently, Jordan’s ‘hatred’ surprised Thomas. It seems he didn’t know MJ loathed him like that.

“I’m really surprised that he has that kind of hate and anger,” Thomas told Beard of Detroit News. “I’ve never experienced that being around him. My son was wearing Michael Jordan jerseys and shoes. They have Jordan jerseys on from the Olympics and the Bulls jerseys that I bought for them.”

This revelation from Thomas seems to imply that he had no grudge against Jordan. If he did, would he let his kids wear his rival’s merchandise?

Unfortunately, Jordan seemed stuck on it as he also said, “The Dream Team (was) based on the environment and the camaraderie that happened on that team, it was the best harmony. Would Isiah have made a different feeling on that team? Yes.”

Jordan was really strong-headed about who he liked and who he didn’t. It is, however, sad to see how Thomas wasn’t aware of Jordan’s feelings for him.