Michael Jordan‘s Long-Held Grudge: How Rivalry with Isiah Thomas Impacted Relationship with Magic Johnson & Dream Team Selection
Breaking News: Newly resurfaced accounts and reporting confirm long-held suspicions that Michael Jordan actively worked to keep Isiah Thomas off the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team,” a decision rooted in their intense on-court rivalry.
For decades, the complex relationships between Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and isiah Thomas have captivated basketball fans.While Jordan and Johnson eventually forged a respectful, even amiable, public image, the shadow of their shared history – and Jordan’s deep-seated animosity towards Thomas – significantly shaped both dynamics.The core of this tension stemmed from the fierce competition between the Detroit Pistons, led by Thomas, and Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The Pistons’ physical, frequently enough aggressive, style of play – dubbed the “Jordan rules” – frustrated Jordan and fueled a lasting resentment.
The initial cracks in the relationship between Jordan and Johnson appeared during their playing days, but were significantly impacted by Thomas. When Magic Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis in 1991, he received widespread support from the NBA community. Jordan was among the first players Johnson contacted,a gesture highlighting the gravity of the situation. According to reports, Jordan’s initial reluctance stemmed from Thomas’s close friendship with Johnson.The declaration forced a shift in outlook, and Jordan’s tone towards Johnson softened in the years that followed. The two legends found common ground in retirement, appearing together at All-Star events and charity games, engaging in playful competition and eventually appearing to reconcile publicly. Though, the underlying history remained.
The most contentious issue, however, remained Thomas. For years, Jordan publicly denied any involvement in Thomas’s exclusion from the 1992 Dream Team, the first Olympic team to feature NBA players. Though, mounting evidence – including accounts from teammates, reporting by Jack McCallum, and a subsequent NBA-TV documentary – now strongly suggests or else.Multiple sources indicate Jordan made it clear he would not participate if Thomas was on the roster. While Jordan has never explicitly confessed to this, the consensus has shifted towards accepting his role in the decision. The long-held denial has increasingly been viewed as inaccurate in light of the accumulated evidence.
Ultimately, the rivalry between Jordan and Thomas proved too deep to fully overcome.While the on-court battles ceased, the animosity lingered, influencing Jordan’s interactions with those connected to thomas, even a beloved figure like Magic Johnson. The story serves as a reminder that even amidst triumphs and public displays of sportsmanship,personal rivalries can have lasting and far-reaching consequences.(Source: Originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 6, 2025)
