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The older Isiah Thomas gets, the more outlandish his takes on and stories about Michael Jordan become.
In his latest tale, Isiah Thomas claims it was him who “made it real easy for him to walk those streets on the west side of Chicago.”
His exact words, spoken on a recent episode of The Pivot Podcast, were, “Now, here’s why I was upset; watching a documentary of a guy being an a–hole to everybody, but then call me an a–hole, and I ain’t been nothing but nice to this dude.
“Now, this is real talk. Go back and document it. You can go back on the west side of Chicago. I ain’t talking about Michigan Avenue, where they used to kick me off for shining shoes. I couldn’t shine shoes on Michigan Avenue. I couldn’t shine shoes on Rush Street. They kicked me outta there.
“On the west side of Chicago, that’s where I’m from, okay? Now, on the west side of Chicago… when Michael Jordan got to Chicago, I made it real easy for him to walk those streets on the west side of Chicago.
“My family took care of him. My sister and his brother hung out… as friends. My little nephew LIVED with Michael Jordan. I’m going to say this again. My little nephew LIVED with Michael Jordan.
“Now, I’m being extremely good to this dude. I’m calling his house… during this period of time.
“So all this, ‘Isiah was an a–hole,’ no, no, no, dude, I was looking out for you.”
To put Isiah Thomas’ claim into its proper perspective, old Chicago Stadium, where Michael Jordan began his NBA career, and the current home of the Chicago Bulls, the United Center, are located on the near west side of Chicago.
Jordan with the third overall pick of the 1984 NBA draft. During his rookie season with the Bulls, Jordan averaged 28.2 points and was voted the NBA Rookie of the Year. The Bulls, who had made the playoffs just once in the past seven years made the playoffs that year, and the next, and EVERY YEAR AFTER that Jordan was on the team.
But yeah… it was Isiah Thomas that made it “easy” for Michael Jordan to walk the west side of Chicago.
Then again, this is the same deluded guy who said Jordan owes him an apology, has made one flawed argument after another against MJ’s greatness, and incredibly claimed he didn’t consider Michael Jordan competition and didn’t know MJ hated him until The Last Dance aired.
“I grew up in the same hood as Junior (Isiah) & he was friends with my oldest brother… I love this man, but this is exaggeration, hyperbole, & conjecture as best… maybe not ‘lies’, but definitely not true. Sorry Junior…” one fan tweeted.
This is the saddest and funniest one sided beef ever
— Derren (@nderren) December 25, 2022
“I remember when Mike used to come to Madison and Keeler to Price’s barber for a cut. He was good on the westside even then. Idk about all this sh-t isiah talking tho,” another fan tweeted in response to Isiah Thomas.
On the real expecially how it's set up we had the HOLE then you had other cats demonstrating they didn't care who you were lol #WetheWest
— 🇺🇸DJ SCRAP DIRTY🇺🇸 (@SCRAPDIRTY) December 25, 2022
“Bro talking like MJ was a cocaine dealer lol, yall was in the NBA bro and MJ was averaging 30 with the hottest shoe on the market. Yet you trying to take credit for him being able to move freely lol. Isiah one of the greatest ever but he’s a horrible human lol,” laughed another fan.
This is an embarrassing part of the interview. What does Jordan need to walk the Westside of Chicago for? He’s the biggest athlete in the world and was big right away. He would never be there alone unprotected it would be like the President, Plus the people loved him stop the 🧢
— Clester Johnson I 🙌🏾 (@Tresvantstreet) December 25, 2022
“Jordan lives in this man’s head like FR. Man just let it go let it go. Your not him isiah it’s cool you where a great player to. You just wasn’t Jordan,” wrote another fan.