Is Isiah Thomas Right About Rivalry With Michael Jordan?: Unchecked

Isiah Thomas may go a little too far with his comments about Michael Jordan but he's not totally wrong.

Isiah Thomas certainly seems bitter towards Michael Jordan but he’s not completely wrong. 

“Head-to-head, I was dominant over Jordan. He just wasn't my competition. My focus was Bird, Magic, Dr. J, Kareem.” — @IsiahThomas pic.twitter.com/Ic82NR8Kpv

— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) November 10, 2020

I do take some umbrage with him ranking MJ as only the fifth-toughest player he ever faced. You don’t want to go full Paul Pierce when talking about a historically superior rival.

.@IsiahThomas' toughest 5 players he faced 👀 pic.twitter.com/1386UeFMmk

— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) November 10, 2020

Perhaps the word “dominant” and dismissing Jordan as even being competition is a little much. Google the “Jordan Rules”.

The Last Dance ended 4 months ago and Isiah Thomas is still talking about Michael Jordan. And to think they call this generation soft.

— Carrington Harrison (@cdotharrison) November 10, 2020

However, he and the Pistons did get the best of Michael more often than they didn’t. 3-1 is 3-1 even if people like to pretend Jordan never lost in the playoffs. 

Isiah Thomas vs Michael Jordan from 1985-1990

▫️21.1 PPG
▫️4.0 RPG
▫️9.4 APG
▫️1.9 SPG

▫️45%FG ▫️43.2%3PT

▫️20-10 record (68%)
▫️3-0 in playoff series

He’s allowed to say what he wants https://t.co/yXXXqwg8pk

— 🏀 ALL ICONIC SPORTS (@ALLICONICSPORTS) November 11, 2020

Now context does matter. We all know the Warriors are 3-1 against LeBron James in the NBA Finals in large part due to the fact they added Kevin Durant to use one example. As for MJ, finally besting the Bad Boy Pistons was viewed as the true breakthrough for him. Which is a credit to him for scaling that mountain and then staying on top, and to Detroit for keeping him at bay for so long. I honestly don’t know how much Zeke’s personal feelings weigh into his evaluation. It is understandable he would have been hurt being left off The Dream Team.

Isiah Thomas said he didn't know how MJ felt about him until watching 'Last Dance': https://t.co/lVf9wDBufl pic.twitter.com/6bolItbNI2

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 11, 2020

He did beat all three of Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in the playoffs and win back-to-back titles after all.

Isiah was 3-1 vs Jordan in the Playoffs.

Don’t need to pay him no mind.

Let it be known! pic.twitter.com/vSj1X4x3cG

— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) November 11, 2020

So, while Isiah and nobody else should disrespect His Airness, I think what Thomas might really want is a little respect on his own name. And that is earned by what he accomplished in the game.