One of the most talked-about topics in NBA history is Isiah Thomas not being part of the 1992 Dream Team for the Olympics.
In theory, this team was supposed to have the best NBA players, but Thomas wasn’t on the initial list of ten. This raised eyebrows and made people think something odd was happening behind closed doors. By May 1992, only two spots were left to be announced, and Thomas still wasnโt chosen. "I don’t know what the criteria was," he said back then. "I’ve done a lot for this league. No other player has come into the NBA and done what Iโve done with a franchise."
Isiah’s Reflections:
Thomas often wondered if playing for a less glamorous team like Detroit affected his chances. โThe Pistons had never won anything before meโnot even a division title,โ he remembered. โI helped us win two championships and now we sell out every game.โ
Indeed, Thomas turned Detroit into a powerhouse after being picked second overall in 1981. He led them to become playoff contenders by decadeโs end.
Standing at six-foot-one, he became the shortest player ever to win Finals MVP in 1990. Before that, he had twelve straight All-Star selections and five consecutive All-NBA Team honors from 1983 to 1987.
โWhen I started scoring lots of points,โ Isiah once said, โpeople criticized me because point guards werenโt supposed to score much back then. Now itโs seen as great! I guess those who really love basketball knew what I was about.โ
Magic Johnson’s Perspective:
Magic Johnson admitted that while Thomas had an impressive resume, his personality rubbed some people wrong way. In Jack McCallumโs book Dream Team, Magic shared his thoughts: โIsiah killed his own chances when it came to the Olympics.โ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OBt5euL31w
โNone of those guys wanted him on that team," Magic explained further about Jordan, Pippen, Bird, Maloneโall didn’t want him there.
Fans feel itโs sad how relationships can impact careers so much.
Itโs clear that talent alone isn’t enough; getting along with others is crucial too in sports like basketball where teamwork matters most.
