John Salley reveals why Michael Jordan ‘needed’ to spark RIVALRY with Isiah Thomas, Bad Boy Pistons

John Salley reveals what led to the rivalry between cool friends, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas.

John Salley reveals why Michael Jordan ‘needed’ to spark RIVALRY with Isiah Thomas, Bad Boy Pistons

Michael Jordan, John Salley and Isiah Thomas

Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas have a lot of bad blood between them. And, that’s nothing but just pure hate they have developed for each other. It started on the court during the late 80s and early 90s and is still around in their retirement. The rivalry between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas is decades-old and they are still beefing over remarks, claims, rumors and apologies. But John Salley who has suited up with both the superstars once revealed how they were cool with each other in the past.

And, John Salley isn’t wrong when saying that. As Isiah Thomas is from Chicago and he and his family made it real easy for Michael Jordan when he first moved to Chicago. As during those years it wasn’t easy to walk the streets but IT had MJ’s back. So them being good, cool and friends with each other is completely true. But then what led to the start of their rivalry? According, to John Salley it was the competitiveness of Michael Jordan that sparked the rivalry.

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As the Bad Boys of Pistons won two NBA championships and were always locked in the playoffs throughout the latest 80s and knocking Michael Jordan and the Bulls out of contention. So Michael Jordan knew he has to change some things for good and started to hate on Isiah Thomas. As John Salley said: “Isiah and Michael were hella cool. When they were doing events, they were hella cool. And then us beating them, literally two times, coming back Michael had to realize, ‘I have to dislike this guy in order to beat him. I can’t be cool with him.’”

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Michael Jordan really took those two series and some beatings personally. And, obviously, he didn’t care about losing a fellow opponent star as a friend when winning a championship and his Airness was on the line. Unfortunately, they still are beefing and one day we might have them talk it out as many including Magic Johnson want them to be cool again.

Related: Isiah Thomas highlights how his family made it ‘real easy’ for Michael Jordan when he first moved to Chicago

John Salley recalls Phil Jackson calling the Detroit Pistons “Thugs”

Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan (Credits: CBS Sports)
Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan (Credits: CBS Sports)

In the same interview with DJ Vlad, John Salley didn’t just discuss the feud between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. But he also revealed how Phil Jackson played an important role in the portrayal of the Bad Boys, Detroit Pistons of the late 80s.

As John Salley said “It wasn’t just Michael. Phil Jackson, is the first interview calling us thugs… He came in and said, ‘These guys are thugs, they’re not good for the NBA. Their style of basketball shouldn’t be allowed.’ Even though when he played for the Knicks, was put in to elbow people. If he doesn’t say that, then the NBA can’t see it and the referees don’t see it. Now, the referees had to look at the game differently.”

John Salley also claimed Phil Jackson to be a master manipulator as he did some reprogramming with the officiating and portrayal of the Isiah Thomas-led Detroit Pistons who were named, “Bad Boys” by David Stern himself.

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