In a preview of the 90-minute documentary shown to media at the NBA Finals, Michael Jordan reveals one of his "stipulations" for joining the Dream Team was having his Pistons rival not included, but claimed the sentiment also came from the top.
It long has been speculated Jordan kept Thomas off the team, but the documentary reveals the snub ran deeper.
Jordan's Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen also said he didn't want Thomas.
"I despised how he played the game,'' Pippen said.
Pippen said he believes Thomas incited the Pistons Bad Boys' rough play.
"Isiah was the general,'' Pippen said. "He was the guy who would yap at his teammates and say, 'Kick them on their [rear]. Do whatever you have to do.' No, I didn't want him on the Dream Team.''
Jordan said that he wasn't keen on playing in the Olympics at all but that he decided to after Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Patrick Ewing joined.
When asked if MJ actually did keep Thomas off the Dream Team, Pippen replied that he couldn't speak for Jordan...before speaking for Jordan: "I can't speak for Michael, but I don't think he wanted him on the team.''
Former NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said the Jordan beef is untrue: "We were picking a group just after the Pistons had been eliminated by the Bulls,'' Granik said. "It was very bad timing for Isiah. Everyone had that impression in their mind, the picture of Isiah walking off the court.''
Thomas did not participate in the documentary. He didn't hang around for the end of the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals either.
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