One of the most controversial storylines in NBA history that still comes up every now and then until this day is the feud between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas. A lot of what sparked the drama between both Hall-of-Famers is the fact that Thomas wasn't included in the 1992 USA Men's Basketball Team, which is notably known as the "Dream Team."
So as someone who was part of the "Dream Team" experience, Charles Barkley was asked about what really went down. While Barkley admitted that he never really got asked for approval regarding Thomas' inclusion on the team, the current "Inside the NBA" host said that there's tape and proof that Jordan indeed didn't want Thomas to be part of the roster.
"That's been a controversy since 92," Barkley recently said in his appearance on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast. "And I've said publically, they never asked me personally about Isiah, and then Michael, I guess, had lied for 100 years. Saying he had nothing to do with it, and then the tape came out. They got Michael on tape, saying he wouldn't play if Isiah is on the team. So, I guess it's true. I guess Michael didn't want him on the team, plain and simple."
The tape that Barkley is referring to is the one released by sportswriter Jack McCallum, who released audiotapes on his podcast "The Dream Team Tapes" proving that MJ said that he wouldn't participate in the Olympics if the Detroit Pistons guard was going to be part of the roster.
"Rod Thorn called me. I said, 'Rod, I won't play if Isiah Thomas is on the team.' He assured me. He said, 'You know what? Chuck doesn't want Isiah. So, Isiah is not going to be part of the team," Jordan said, as published on "The Dream Tapes."
Whether it's in his "The Last Dance" documentary, which premiered in April 2020, or in any type of rare interview, Jordan continues to deny the allegation that he was the main reason why Thomas wasn't part of the Dream Team. Yes, Jordan admitted that he felt if Thomas was part of the team, the Bad Boy Piston would ruin the chemistry. However, until this date (and most likely forever), Jordan continues to dismiss the idea that he didn't keep Thomas out.
Now that there's evidence of MJ stating that he wouldn't be participating in the Olympics if Thomas was there, it's fair for Barkley to say that the six-time champion was indeed caught in a lie. The question now is why Jordan continues to cover it up — despite already knowing that his relationship with Thomas is as broken as it could be.
