The rivalry between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas has lived far longer than their playing careers. It resurfaces at random moments, usually when a documentary, podcast or interview pokes at the old wounds left behind by the Bad Boys Pistons and the rising Chicago Bulls.
Fans saw the most explosive version of it in The Last Dance, where Jordan didn’t hold back his true feelings. He questioned Thomas’s sportsmanship and even suggested he still harbored strong resentment decades later. For many viewers, it confirmed what had long been rumored.
Thomas watched the series like everyone else, but his reaction came with an extra layer of surprise. He said he had no idea Jordan disliked him to that extent, especially because their personal interactions over the years seemed friendly.
During a recent interview with Dan Dakich on OutKick, Thomas opened up about how those comments still affect him and what he wants from Jordan now.
When you publicly apologize and say you didn’t mean it, if you really didn’t mean it, then clean it up publicly. But if you meant it, let it stand. And he’s let it stand. So if he hates me, you know, so be it. I’m okay with that. But if he wants to have a relationship or any type of friendship, that’s on him to do it publicly as he did it publicly before
Jordan vs Thomas: A New Chapter in an Old NBA Rivalry
Thomas said he isn’t looking for a private conversation or behind-the-scenes handshake. If Jordan didn’t truly mean the harsh words shown in the documentary,Thomas believes the correction needs to be just as public as the criticism. He made it clear that whether the feud ends or continues depends on how Jordan responds.
The tension goes back to the late 1980s when Detroit’s “Jordan Rules“ pushed the Bulls to the brink every postseason. The Pistons beat Chicago three straight years, setting the stage for a rivalry defined by physical punishment, trash talk, and a clash of superstar personalities. When the Bulls finally broke through in 1991, the Pistons’ abrupt walk-off without shaking hands only deepened the animosity.
That moment has remained a key grievance for Jordan. Combined with reporting from outlets like Sports Illustrated suggesting that Jordan opposed Thomas’s spot on the 1992 Dream Team, the feud quickly became part of NBA folklore.
Even now, decades later, the tension hasn’t faded. Thomas reiterated that if Jordan truly stands by his comments, then so be it. But if he didn’t intend to hurt him publicly, then Thomas expects the same level of visibility in any apology or clarification.
The two legends might never be close, and maybe they don’t need to be. But Thomas’s challenge has reopened a chapter many thought was closed, once again pushing their famous rivalry back into the spotlight.
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