By all accounts, Michael Jeffrey Jordan is the undisputed G.O.A.T. of the NBA. In addition to boasting a 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, he has six NBA Finals MVPs. In terms of history-making accolades, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Jordan is a five-time regular season MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year who is still the league's all-time leader in regular season scoring average (30.12) and playoff-scoring average (33.45). His player efficiency rating (27.9) is also the greatest in NBA history. Initially, Jordan's rise to the forefront of the league came as a solo act during a time when Magic Johnson's Lakers, Larry Bird's Celtics, and Isiah Thomas's Pistons reigned supreme in the league. Collectively, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Detroit Pistons won every NBA title except for one (Philadelphia 76ers won in 1983) from 1980 to 1990. With two of these teams in the Eastern Conference, it left very little breathing room for "His Airness" and the Chicago Bulls to move up in the standings, let alone contend for the franchise's first championship. While Jordan was hellbent on capturing a Larry O'Brien trophy, their Central division rivals, the Detroit Pistons, were far more physical and, quite frankly, more talented--at the time. The Detriot Pistons (the Bad Boys) had four all-stars on their roster: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, and Bill Laimbeer. On the flip side, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant hadn't matured into All-Star form quite yet, leaving MJ to lead his squad into battle oftentimes when they were outmatched on paper. 

The bitter rivalry between the Isiah Thomas-led Pistons and Jordan-led Bulls resulted in four straight playoff matchups (1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991). By this time, MJ was a two-time MVP and the best player from either roster. So, Isiah created a defensive scheme to stop him that would become known as "The Jordan Rules," and it worked wonders. In 1988, the Pistons eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the Eastern Conference semifinals 4-1. In 1989 the Detroit Pistons eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the Eastern Conference Finals, 4-2. And In 1990, the Detroit Pistons eliminated the Chicago Bulls from the Eastern Conference Finals, 4-3. But in 1991, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant entered the beginning of their prime years, joining their team captain Micahel Jordan on the All-Star team. That year, the Chicago Bulls swept the Detroit Pistons (the defending two-time NBA Champions at the time) 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Those classic feuds were bitter, hate-fueled, bloody, and damn personal. The Bulls and Pistons did not like each other back then, and everyone knew it. 

With their playing days in the rearview mirror, over 30 years removed, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas have remained rivals. Today, the finger-pointing and name-calling between the two Hall of Famers seems just as prevalent now as it ever was in the 80s. During a recent interview with former Golden State Warriors Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on their podcast, All The Smoke, Magic Johnson called for his two old friends to mend the fence and let bygones be bygones.

"What's your take on the back and forth between Isiah and Mike right now?" Asked Stephen Jackson.

"I don't like it; I think they should be done with that," replied Magic. "Listen, we played when we played. We all had to dislike each other to win a championship. We all had to do what we had to do. But now, what Michael is doing is incredible. To be an owner in the NBA, his shoe is still number one...and then Isiah is a businessman himself...so why are we still..."

"Living in the past?" Said Jackson as he jumped in and finished Magic's thought.

"Yes!" Magic exclaimed.

"Only Magic can fix this," added Matt Barnes.

"Well, I'm definitely going to try because they should be past it," Magic said.

 

Scroll up to watch Magic Johnson give his take on the state of Michael Jordan's fiction with Isiah Thomas.

 

Source: YouTube