It’s no secret that during the 1980s and 1990s, there was a deep animosity between the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. The game between guards Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas represented the rivalry between the two Midwest rivals, who were two of the greatest in the Eastern Conference at the time.
The intense rivalry and competitive spirit between these two teams were depicted in The Last Dance, a documentary that chronicled the storied Bulls teams of the 1990s. Basketball fans all over the world adored the 10-part series, however many former players didn’t agree with the documentary’s storyline.
Isiah Thomas, a 12-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion, discussed the documentary, the intense rivalry between the Pistons and Bulls, and his personal conflict with Jordan in a recent interview with Draymond Green.
“Up until The Last Dance, I had no idea this guy felt the way he did,” Thomas remarked. “You’ve been standing behind a tree throwing stones for all these years.”
The Bulls and Pistons teamed for eight NBA titles between 1989 and 1998. Any team intending to compete for the championship understood they would have to overcome one of these formidable teams.
The Last Dance series identified a specific instance in which Jordan and Thomas’s hostility escalated. Michael Jordan appeared to take offense at Isiah Thomas’ refusal to shake hands during the Eastern Conference Championship loss. Regarding the contentious event during the Draymond Green Show, Thomas expressed his opinions clearly.
“That is the way it is; the champions always left the court.” Thomas continued, “Chicago is the only champion that still gets upset when someone doesn’t shake their hands.