When Michael Jordan explained why he called Isiah Thomas an ‘a**hole’, feeding their vintage beef

During the early stages of his career, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas had one of the biggest rivalries in the NBA. To this day, the two Hall of Famers don't have a strong relationship.

The main reason why Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas feuded is because of the team Thomas was on. In the late 80s and early 90s, the "Bad Boy" Pistons created their own brand of basketball.

Led by Thomas, the Detroit Pistons were a smashmouth, in-your-face team that loved to play physical. They were known for hard fouls and cheap shots in an effort to get under their opponent's skin. Many around the NBA didn't like them or their style, but it won them a pair of championships.

During "The Last Dance" documentary, Jordan brought a specific moment from Thomas that still bothers him. It came when the Chicago Bulls finally dethroned the Pistons in the postseason. As time was winding down in the game, the Pistons got up and left before the final buzzer instead of staying to shake hands.

"Whatever he says now you know it wasn't his true actions then.

"You can show me anything you want, there's no way you can convince me he wasn't an a**hole."

Isiah Thomas responds to comments made by Michael Jordan in "The Last Dance"

After "The Last Dance" aired, Isiah Thomas had the opportunity to respond to the comments Michael Jordan made about him. The Detroit Pistons legend also spoke about the incident in question.

While on ESPN, Thomas said that if he had the chance to do it over, he would change things. He also cited the emotion of coming down from the championship pedestal as a reason why they walked off the court.

"We were coming down, Jordan was coming up. In coming down as champions, you have certain emotions.

"Looking back over the years, had we had the opportunity to do it all over again, I think all of us would make a different decision. Me myself personally, I paid a heavy price for that decision."

In regards to paying the price for that decision, Thomas is likely referring to being left off the Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics. While the group was being put together, Jordan and Scottie Pippen said they wouldn't play if Thomas made the roster.

Above all else, Thomas regrets walking off the court because it allowed the media to paint them as bad guys and that isn't what they wanted.