For years, he maintained that his exclusion from the iconic 1992 Dream Team had nothing to do with any interference from Jordan. However, The Last Dance told a different story.
The betrayal Thomas never saw coming, Michael Jordan unexpected blow in The Last Dance
In the documentary, Michael Jordan made it clear that his feud with Thomas was personal and that he had, in fact, played a role in keeping him off the Olympic team. For Thomas, this revelation was a low blow, one that changed his perception of the six-time champion forever.
Since then, the former Pistons star has publicly expressed his sense of betrayal, demanding a public apology as the only way to move forward.
A million-dollar loss and a new rift
The impact of The Last Dance extended beyond the relationship between Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan, it also had unexpected consequences in the entertainment industry. Still wary of his portrayal in the documentary, Thomas rejected HBO’s offer to participate in Celtics City, causing significant financial losses.
“They blindsided me with The Last Dance, I wasn’t going to fall for the same trap twice,” Thomas admitted.
His refusal to appear in the documentary was a major setback for HBO, a company valued at $8.1 billion. The absence of such a key figure weakened the production and diminished the expected media impact.
Meanwhile, controversy surrounding The Last Dance continues to grow. Horace Grant, Ron Harper, and other former teammates of Michael Jordan have challenged the documentary’s version of events, accusing it of intentionally crafting a narrative to further elevate Jordan’s legacy.
Years later, the shadow of betrayal still looms. Isiah Thomas hasn’t forgotten, and The Last Dance remains a divisive piece of basketball history.
