In the late 80s and early 90s, Isiah Thomas was the best pure point guard in the NBA. He was a superb player who led the Bad Boys Pistons to two NBA Championships. However, despite being one of the best, Thomas was shockingly left off of the 1992 US Olympic Dream Team.
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A decision that led to a lot of debates and arguments. How can Team USA leave out such a crucial piece of the puzzle?
The belief was that Michael Jordan did not want him there. Something that many, including Thomas himself, felt, was disrespectful. Even Charles Barkley, who was Michael Jordan’s best friend felt bad about it.
Charles Barkley felt bad about the disrespect Isiah Thomas received after being snubbed from the 1992 Dream Team
In 1992, the US Olympic Basketball Team assembled perhaps the greatest selection of superstars to go to Barcelona for the Olympics. However, there was one notable absentee, Isiah Thomas.
Thomas, who at that time was one of the best guards in the league was snubbed. Mainly due to his bad relationship with the star of the team, Michael Jordan. Years later, the same was confirmed in the Last Dance documentary.
Many believed the reasoning was justified, but Charles Barkley a member of the Dream Team felt bad about the decision and went off on the disrespect Zeke received afterward.
Thomas got himself snubbed when he refused to shake Michael Jordan’s hand in 1991
The bad blood between the Pistons and the Bulls was the primary reason for Isiah’s snub from the 1992 Dream Team. The Bad Boy Pistons, Jordan Rules aside, made some bad decisions when it came to their treatment of the GOAT.
It was probably Thomas and the Pistons’ decision to not shake hands with the Bulls in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals that set in stone Michael Jordan’s hatred towards him.
The pettiness that came up from that whole situation is quite clear. Nevertheless, what’s done is done, but it is highly doubtful that either one will forgive or forget.
