80s Michael Jordan vs World Champion Isiah Thomas – Epic Battle In Chicago Stadium

Michael Jordan could not win a championship during the 1980’s because the Chicago Bulls organization was a mess, throughout. Jordan truly had to “pay his dues!”

Phil Jackson took over as head coach in 1989-90. It’s often stated that Phil was “the best at managing egos”, but many of us believe Phil was actually better at defining roles for the role players. Phil would define roles in the offense, and each role player had their spots on the court/comfort zones.

Many point to Michael Jordan “changing his style of play” to fit the wants of coach Phil Jackson for leading to the Bulls’ championship success. But in reality, the biggest drastic difference between the 1980’s & the 1990’s was not Michael Jordan’s style of play. The biggest difference was the improved play of the supporting cast. He didn’t need a superteam. He just needed competent help.

For an example at how Michael’s pre-championship supporting cast held him back, look no further than Game 7 of the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan’s supporting cast prevented him from winning a championship sooner when they shot:
Scottie Pippen 1-10 (Migraine game)
Horace Grant 3-17
Craig Hodges 3-13
Bill Cartwright 3-9
BJ Armstrong 1-8

During game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pippen, Grant, Hodges, Cartwright, and Armstrong combined to shoot 11-57 (19.2%).

That is a level of supporting cast ineptitude that even Michael Jordan could not overcome. But that was the story of the pre-championship Bulls.

To many of us, the 1980’s represent lost championship years. What if the Chicago Bulls could have supplied Jordan with the type of adequate supporting cast a player of his caliber deserved, sooner?

That’s the great “what if?”!!!

As for this incredible contest. The Pistons were at their best! The reigning world champions! The great insurmountable hurdle of the pre-championship years for MJ! Michael Jordan vs Isiah Thomas, the epic rivalry that will echo throughout time!

Intensity. Competitiveness. This game had it all! The Jordan era!

(1989-90 Season)

TIMESTAMPS:
4:50 – Game Begins
6:15 – Mark Aguirre layup
6:36 – Horace Grant left hook
6:57 – Isiah Thomas jumper
7:32 – Horace Grant layup
9:09 – Bill Laimbeer jumper
9:17 – Michael Jordan jumper
9:34 – Jordan to Pippen jumper
10:12 – Mark Aguirre layup and 1
11:05 – Michael Jordan hanging jumper
11:31 – Michael Jordan steal & breakaway dunk
12:15 – Walter Payton in the crowd
13:20 – Isiah Thomas layup
13:33 – Bill Laimbeer jumper
14:08 – Phil Jackson catches Bill Laimbeer trying to cheat
15:26 – Mark Aguirre layup
15:44 – Michael Jordan drops Joe Dumars jumper
16:01 – Bill Laimbeer jumper
16:24 – Laimbeer trips himself
16:42 – Michael Jordan jumper
18:07 – James Edwards layup
18:28 – John Salley layup
18:45 – Dennis Rodman and 1 layup
19:21 – Vinnie Johnson driving layup
20:00 – Michael Jordan to Bill Cartwright dunk
20:45 – Vinnie Johnson floater
21:23 – Vinnie Johnson fadeaway jumper
21:40 – Michael Jordan to Scottie Pippen jumper
22:03 – Michael Jordan clamps Vinnie Johnson
22:45 – Bill Laimbeer 3 point jumper
23:04 – Dennis Rodman block
23:10 – Vinnie Johnson steal & layup
23:24 – Vinnie Johnson steal & layup
24:30 – Mark Aguirre jumper
25:06 – Isiah Thomas steal
25:20 – Mark Aguirre 3 point jumper
26:38 – Michael Jordan jumper
26:55 – Bill Laimbeer jumper
27:19 – Bill Laimbeer 3 point jumper
27:31 – Scottie Pippen jumper
27:40 – Michael Jordan jumper
27:55 – Bill Laimbeer 3 point jumper
28:29 – Scottie Pippen 3 point jumper
30:00 – Mark Aguirre driving layup
30:14 – Michael Jordan jumper
30:30 – Isiah Thomas post up fadeaway jumper
31:00 – Joe Dumars jumper
31:14 – Horace Grant put back
31:24 – Michael Jordan clamps Joe Dumars
32:18 – Joe Dumars driving layup and 1
33:15 – John Salley chop blocks Michael Jordan
34:15 – Isiah Thomas jumper
35:01 – Jordan to John Paxson jumper
36:25 – Mark Aguirre put back
36:40 – Horace Grant layup
35:43 – Joe Dumars Sports Illustrated Cover Disrespecting Jordan
36:13 – Michael Jordan insane hanging jumper and 1
37:20 – Michael Jordan steal
37:40 – Scottie Pippen jumper
38:34 – Vinnie Johnson jumper
38:42 – Michael Jordan drops Dennis Rodman with a between the legs crossover & jumper
38:52 – Scott Hastings vs Stacey King scuffle
41:16 – Joe Dumars jumper
41:23 – Scottie Pippen and 1
41:48 – Joe Dumars jumper
42:18 – Joe Dumars 3 point jumper (not fully shown due to TV replay)
42:54 – Horace Grant put back & ankle injury
44:08 – Joe Dumars jumper
45:33 – Isiah Thomas jumper
46:05 – Laimbeer to Rodman layup
47:36 – Michael Jordan jumper
48:15 – Michael Jordan free throws
48:39 – John Salley blocks Jordan
49:10 – Isiah Thomas jumper
49:45 – Michael Jordan free throws
52:00 – Joe Dumars jumper
52:55 – Jordan to Paxson jumper
53:05 – Michael Jordan forces Isiah Thomas turnover
53:30 – Jordan to Horace Grant dunk
54:40 – Michael Jordan dunk
56:28 – Jordan to Paxson jumper
57:08 – Isiah Thomas jumper
57:50 – Michael Jordan free throw