• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Michael Jordan heard 'refusing' to play with NBA star on audio clip who was then left out of the team

Home> NBA

Published 16:01 14 Jan 2025 GMT

Michael Jordan heard 'refusing' to play with NBA star on audio clip who was then left out of the team

It was the beginning on a long-standing rivalry

Ryan Baldi

Ryan Baldi

The United States basketball line-up at the 1992 Olympics is one of the most talent-rich collection of stars ever assembled in any sport. But there was one notable absentee.

Led by NBA MVPs Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, the "Dream Team" cruised to glory at the Barcelona games, beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points, including a 32-point win over Croatia in the gold-medal game.

Jordan was the star of the show. Fresh off winning his second successive NBA title with the Chicago Bulls, "His Airness" was at the peak of his powers.

Advert

And while the famous No.23 – who wore the No.9 jersey at the Olympics – was joined on the team by Bulls co-star Scottie Pippen, one man Jordan refused to be teammates with was Isiah Thomas.

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were part of Team USA's gold medal-winning team at the 1992 Olympics (Credit:Getty)
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were part of Team USA's gold medal-winning team at the 1992 Olympics (Credit:Getty)

The iconic point guard who won back-to-back titles with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and '90, Thomas was a forthright and uncompromising individual who often upset his opponents. He and Jordan didn't get along. And an audio clip recorded by journalist and author Jack McCallum captures Jordan revealing his plot to exclude the Detroit star.

"Rod Thorn called me. I said, 'Rod, I won't play if Isiah Thomas is on the team,'" Jordan said. "He assured me. He said, 'You know what? Chuck doesn't want Isiah. So, Isiah is not going to be part of the team.'"

Advert

However, Thorn, the executive in charge of putting together the 1992 team, denied any such conversation.

"There was never anything in my conversation with [Jordan] that had to do with Isiah Thomas, period," said Thorn, who was the Chicago Bulls general manager in 1984 when Jordan was drafted. "He said, 'I'll do it.' ... Isiah's name never came up during that conversation. And he never backtracked and said he didn't want to do it from that time on, to those of us in the NBA office."

And in The Last Dance, the 2020 Netflix documentary covering his career, Jordan denied any conspiracy to keep out Thomas.

"The Dream Team, based on the environment and the camaraderie that happened on that team...it was the best harmony," Jordan said. "Would Isiah have made a different feeling on that team? Yes."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Michael Jordan, NBA, Basketball, Chicago Bulls

Ryan Baldi
Ryan Baldi

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Michael Jordan was in no doubt over the one NBA player he wishes he'd played with
  • NBA star made unbelievably embarrassing blunder meeting Michael Jordan for the very first time
  • Michael Jordan reveals damning reason why he doesn't watch NBA anymore after retiring
  • NBA star who 'tried to fight' Michael Jordan explains why basketball GOAT was one of the 'dirtiest players ever'

Choose your content:

a day ago
2 days ago
3 days ago
  • Zhizhao Wu / Contributor via GettyZhizhao Wu / Contributor via Getty
    a day ago

    Steph Curry Reveals Brutal Way Kobe Bryant 'Welcomed Him to NBA' in First Meeting

    The Golden State Warriors superstar spoke about one of his first NBA games.

    NBA
  • Ronald Martinez / Staff via GettyRonald Martinez / Staff via Getty
    2 days ago

    Kawhi Leonard Saga Takes Major Twist over $2m Payment from Clippers Minority Owner

    The NBA star is at the centre of a salary scandal with the LA Clippers

    NBA
  • Michael Hickey / Contributor via GettyMichael Hickey / Contributor via Getty
    2 days ago

    WNBA's Sophie Cunningham Issues Two Word Response to Charlie Kirk Fatal Shooting

    The Indiana Fever guard gave her thoughts on the fatal shooting.

    NBA
  • John Nacion / Contributor via GettyJohn Nacion / Contributor via Getty
    3 days ago

    Steph Curry Demanded LeBron James Clause in NBA Contract as 2025 Top Earners Revealed

    The Golden State Warriors star did not receive the same clause as the Lakers star

    NBA