“I Felt Bad For Isiah Thomas”: When Charles Barkley Talked About Michael Jordan’s Beef With Pistons’ Leader And His Snub From the Dream Team

Nithin Joseph | 26/12/2022
“I Felt Bad For Isiah Thomas”: When Charles Barkley Talked About Michael Jordan’s Beef With Pistons’ Leader And His Snub From the Dream Team

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.

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.

Also Read: “Bob Knight Stood Up, Rolled Up his Sleeves”: Isiah Thomas Discloses Hoosiers Coach Was Ready to Fight his Brother During Recruitment

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.

“I felt bad for Isiah Thomas to be honest with you. Because I worked with Isiah and I like him a lot and I thought some of the conversations were disrespectful to Isiah. Isiah and the Bad Boys…they’re one of the best teams to ever do it. I thought, number one, I have no idea what happened or why he was left off the team. They never asked me about Isiah. He probably should have been on the team. But he did make a mistake not shaking Michael Jordan’s hand.”
This a fair take from Sir Charles. Isiah Thomas was easily one of the best in the business and snubbing him was a crime. Although, some may say he dug his own grave in 1991.

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.

Also Read: “I just like Rick better than I like you!”: Larry Bird Once ‘Excplicitly’ Fired Isiah Thomas Over Pacers Job

Post Edited By: Jeet Pukhrambam
Charles Barkley Isiah Thomas Michael Jordan

About the author

Nithin Joseph

Nithin is a content writer at The SportsRush. Like his favorite athlete Kobe Bryant, the company has helped Nithin elevate his writing skills to a whole new level, especially as an NBA content writer. With over 1500 articles to his name, Nithin's love for the sport knows no bounds. And, as he continues to watch the sport on a daily basis, he hopes his fascination with the NBA, especially the Miami Heat will inspire more and more readers to give the sport a chance. Perhaps, one day making basketball in India as big as it is in the United States.

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