Although the original Dream Team is widely celebrated as the greatest basketball team ever put together, debates over its roster choices continue to spark controversy. A major point of contention was the exclusion of Isiah Thomas.
Given the wealth of talent available for the 1992 team, narrowing it down to just 12 players was challenging. While numerous NBA All-Stars were left off the roster, Dennis Rodman, a former Detroit Pistons “Bad Boy,” argued that Thomas should have been included instead of the aging and injured Larry Bird.
Rodman stated in a 2015 interview with Sirius XM’s “NBA Today,” reported by CBS Sports, that despite others denying or correcting him, he believes Isiah Thomas should have been chosen over Larry Bird. He argued that Bird, who was injured and nearing the end of his career, was not able to contribute effectively.
Rodman acknowledged the respect given to Larry Bird due to his contributions to the game, but he still felt that Isiah Thomas deserved a spot on the team instead of Bird. That’s his personal opinion.
Rodman focused on Thomas’ exceptional skill and competitive drive in his argument. Having been former teammates, “The Worm” was well aware that Thomas had the ability to enhance his teammates’ performance, making him a valuable addition to the Dream Team.
Despite Bird’s condition and the known tensions between Isiah and other NBA stars, Rodman believed Thomas’ exclusion from the elite roster was questionable.
“I don’t know the issues between Michael (Jordan), Magic (Johnson), or Charles Barkley and Isiah, but from my perspective, I felt Isiah deserved to be on that team,” Rodman stated.
Even without Thomas, the Dream Team excelled at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and had a global impact on basketball. In contrast to Rodman’s views, Scottie Pippen felt that Thomas’ exclusion was justified.
Pippen acknowledged Thomas’ exceptional talent but believed his style of play would have disrupted the team’s chemistry. “Although Isiah’s stats are impressive, building a basketball team involves more than just numbers. Chemistry is crucial, and Isiah would have negatively affected the Dream Team’s cohesion,” Pippen wrote in his book, “Unguarded”
While Rodman and Pippen had differing opinions on Thomas’ omission, it doesn’t diminish Thomas’ status as one of the greatest point guards in history. Despite not playing internationally, Isiah’s legacy remains significant.
