"I am more disappointed today than I was back when I was not selected" -Isiah Thomas on handshake snub as the reason he didn't make the Dream Team

The topic of Isiah Thomas ' exclusion from the 1992 Dream Team is one of the most debated in the history of the USA Basketball organization.

Thomas was arguably the best point guard in the NBA during that time. He had just led the Detroit Pistons to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990 while winning Finals MVP honors. But when it was time to pick, USA Basketball selected Magic Johnson and John Stockton as the Dream Team's point guards.

That snub left Thomas devastated. According to him, he thought he had a good standing with USAB, and being excluded from the team left a big hole in his legacy.

"Being left off the Dream Team, that personally hurt me," admitted Thomas. "In 1980, I was on the Olympic team. As a matter of fact, I was voted the Male Athlete of the Year in 1980 for the USA Olympic Team. And, you know, the only thing missing from my resume is not being on the Dream Team."

Many blame Michael Jordan for Zeke's Dream Team snub

No official reason was given as to why Thomas did not make the Dream Team. However, most of the blame was pointed at his bitter rival, Michael Jordan , who reportedly told USAB that he did not want to play with Isiah.

Jordan and Thomas have a long history of beef. It began in 1985 when MJ accused Zeke of freezing him during the All-Star Game so he would look bad. Then in 1991, Jordan was furious after Thomas and some Pistons walked off the court before Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals was over and refused to shake their hands. When Mike talked about that incident in Episode 4 of 'The Last Dance,' Thomas reacted on ESPN's Get Up.

"I tried to do everything correctly, and I thought I should've made the Dream Team. However, I wasn't a part of it. That hurt me. And looking back, if I'm not a part of the Dream Team because, you know, a lapse in emotion in terms of not shaking someone's hand if that's the reason why I didn't make the Dream Team, then I am more disappointed today than I was back then when I wasn't selected," added Zeke.

Related: "You could just feel it, the lack of respect" - Alonzo Mourning on the tense environment in the gold medal game against France in the 2000 Olympics

Magic tried to push for Isiah to get one of the final two spots

Equally disappointed as Isiah was when the first 10 names were announced was his good buddy, Magic. The Showtime Lakers point guard believed that Thomas' resume was worthy of earning one of the final two spots on the Dream Team.

"I am very disappointed that Isiah Thomas was not selected as one of the 10 NBA players named to represent Team USA in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona," said Magic in a statement after the first 10 members of the Dream Team were announced. "His leading the Pistons to back-to-back championships says so much about his leadership and dedication."

Clyde Drexler and Christian Laettner ended up getting the last two items on the Dream Team. Thomas got a consolation of sorts when he was named to Dream Team II . He, however, ended up not playing for that team because he suffered a career-ending Achilles injury three months before the tournament.

Related: "Natural jealousy is a part of professional sports" — Michael Jordan on Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas' infamous 'Freeze Out' at the 1985 All-Star Game