3 takeaways from episodes 5 and 6 of The Last Dance, ESPN’s MJ doc
3. There were layers to Isiah Thomas’ absence from the Dream Team
If based on pure talent, Isiah Thomas deserved to be on the Dream Team. By the summer of 1992, he was coming off another All-Star campaign of 18.5 points and 7.2 assists per game, boasting a championship resume only a handful of Dream Teamers could touch.
That he wasn’t a member of the Olympic team spoke to other factors that played a part. The finger naturally pointed to Michael Jordan. Fueled by his hatred for Thomas after their playoff battles, MJ was believed to not want Thomas on the team, a non-decision by Olympic officials who wanted the game’s premier star on the global stage.
Jordan claims such a request was never made. Who knows whether that’s true. But the idea that only he influenced that type of decision seems silly under the circumstances as pointed out by ESPN’s Michael Wilbon.
I don't feel bad about Isiah Thomas being snubbed from the dream team. He built a brand on being disliked. Half the guys on dream team couldn't stand him. You cant revel in being hated, then be upset when you don't win a popularity contest. He made his bed. #TheLastDance
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) May 4, 2020
Given his part in the Bulls/Pistons rivalry, Scottie Pippen had as much disdain for Thomas as Jordan. Magic Johnson, once considered a close friend, had a falling out with the Pistons floor general. Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics certainly had no love for Detroit after three playoff matchups in four years.
The Dream Team’s overwhelming talent would earn gold no matter the on-court chemistry, but the time away from basketball is what many fawn over the most all these years later. A similar joy would’ve been difficult in the presence of such a disliked figure by a large chunk of the team.
It’s unlikely Jordan wasn’t breached about the possibility of playing alongside Thomas and that he didn’t have some influence, whether spoken or not, in the matter given his stature and history with Thomas.
To assume he was the only factor at play for Team USA fails to recognize the reach Thomas had when it came to an image that hardly did him any favors around the league.