AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Isiah Thomas (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
Isiah Thomas doesn’t think Michael Jordan or LeBron James is the GOAT.
Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas finally made his feelings on the eternal NBA GOAT debate known. LeBron James and Michael Jordan both missed out on the top spot. Considering how Jordan and Thomas often butted heads on and off the court, this can hardly come as a surprise.
Thomas said that as of right now, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the greatest player of all-time. However, he did leave some room for LeBron to eventually take the crown, saying that James will likely be better than Kareem in his eyes by the time he retires.
So…are you forgetting someone important, Isiah? Maybe a certain No. 23 in Chicago?
Isiah Thomas is still a bit angered by Michael Jordan, a holdover from their playing days.
While Thomas did go 32-16 against Jordan in his career, as his “Bad Boy” Pistons fought their way to the top of the NBA twice, Jordan eventually got past Detroit, effectively assuming the role of the NBA’s marquee player while ending the Pistons’ dynasty. Between that and both Jordan and Scottie Pippen playing a role in keeping him off of the “Dream Team” in the 1992 Olympics, it’s easy to see why Thomas would be a bit icy towards Jordan.
Thomas’ beef with Jordan is by no means an act. These are two Hall of Famers that went 120 percent against one another for a half-decade. While both of them have settled into extremely successful careers in their post-basketball, it’s clear that there is some bubbling resentment still left over between the two from their playing days.
Even if Jordan doesn’t respond to this, criticism from his personal nemesis in Thomas is sure to rile him up.