The Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls once had one of the most bitter rivalries in all of sports.
Looking at the two teams today, it’s hard to believe, as it seems like it’s been decades since either team was relevant (not far off actually), and players switch teams so often now that it’s really hard to have these types of rivalries in the NBA, not to mention the fact that many of the players are now best friends who have known each other since they were children playing in AAU.
But back in the 80’s and 90’s these two teams hated each other’s guts and had some of the most heated playoff series in NBA history. The Pistons knocked Michael Jordan out of the playoffs three times before the Bulls eventually beat them and took over supremacy in the NBA.
The two teams were led by two fierce competitors in Jordan and Isiah Thomas, and their rivalry has not dulled over the years. It is now getting to ridiculous levels.
Detroit Pistons: Isiah Thomas vs. Michael Jordan
Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan do not like each other, that much is clear. It’s well known that Jordan kept Thomas off the Olympic Dream Team back in the day, and more recently called Thomas some colorful names in “The Last Dance” documentary, much of which was a hit-piece on the Detroit Pistons.
Jordan called Thomas an “a**hole” in the documentary and Zeke returned the favor on a podcast earlier this year.
Let’s be honest here: They both have a point. Jordan is infamously known as a psycho competitor who punched a few of his own teammates and would cheat against his mother in a game of Go Fish.
Thomas has had his own problems (just go read about his stint with the Knicks) and you’d probably find more than a few people who would agree with Jordan’s assessment.
Recently, Thomas demanded that Jordan apologize (let it go, Zeke, it ain’t happening) publicly for what he said, which brought on criticism from some of the other old school players who just can’t let these 30-year-old beefs go.
The most recent was Charles Oakley, who looks like one of the lesser villains from “The Running Man” (Fireball, look it up), and would never miss a chance to support his gambling buddy Micheal Jordan (he probably owes him money).
Isiah Thomas didn’t take kindly to Oakley’s comments and spent the better part of yesterday arguing with fans on Twitter.
I remember us kicking your ass a lot, some one please check my record vs any team he played on! Sit down be Humble https://t.co/1DmGKQe2Il
— Isiah Thomas (@IsiahThomas) April 6, 2023
Jordan hasn’t said a word about any of this of course, but Thomas just can’t seem to let it die. At this point, this is just ridiculous, as these are 60+ year-old men arguing about their glory days. They may as well be wearing high school letterman jackets and talking about the time they could leave won State.
For the record, Isiah Thomas had a winning record against both Jordan and Oakley.
It may be time for Jordan and Thomas to just duke it out in some kind of charity boxing match or something, as they both kind of look like a**holes at this point.