On September 24, 1991, the USA Basketball Selection Committee announced the first 10 players who would comprise the U.S. men's basketball team to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Conspicuously absent from the list was Isiah Thomas , the Detroit Pistons superstar who led his team to back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990. While different people had different reactions to Zeke's exclusion, his good buddy and NBA rival Magic Johnson issued a statement to express his sadness over Thomas' Dream Team snub.
"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."
Zeke was coming off an injury-plagued season
In 1991, Zeke had recently made history as the shortest player to ever win the NBA Finals MVP award and secured his 10th consecutive All-Star Game appearance, solidifying his status as one of the league's top point guards.
However, Thomas played just 48 games during the 1990-91 NBA season due to a wrist injury. He returned to play in the postseason but averaged a career-playoff-low 13.5 PPG on 40.3% FG shooting. His Pistons were also swept by Michael Jordan 's Bulls in the 1991 Eastern Conference matchup. Despite that, Magic still felt Zeke had to be part of the team.
"I sincerely hope the selection committee awards one of the final two remaining roster positions to Isiah," continued Magic. "I say this not because Isiah is my friend but because I believe he will assist the team in winning the gold medal."
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Pippen said Thomas would disrupt the camaraderie on the Dream Team
But while Magic believed that Zeke would help the team win the gold medal, Jordan's Bulls running mate, Scottie Pippen, declared otherwise. Pippen said that while Thomas' numbers were definitely Dream Team-worthy, assembling a team is more than just about statistics. It's also about chemistry, and Pip felt Zeke would've been a bad fit .
"Looking at his numbers, it would be difficult to argue Isiah wasn't deserving," Pippen said of Thomas via NBC Sports . "Putting a basketball team together is about more than numbers. It is about chemistry, and with Isiah on the Dream Team, the chemistry would have been horrible."
During a 2020 interview, Magic admitted that four to five Dream Team members had an issue with Zeke and would not have gotten along well on the team. One of those players was Jordan, whom many point to as the architect of the snub. MJ has always denied that accusation.
Related: Why Michael Jordan was the only player studying game film at the 1992 Olympics: "I never underestimate anyone"
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