Isiah Thomas Eliminates Michael Jordan, Again (Game 7 - 1990)

June 3, 1990 - Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas finished two rebounds shy of a triple-double in his team's series ending 93-74 Game 7 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Thomas finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists in all. The Pistons did the bulk of their damage in the second quarter when they shot 14-of-17 from the field and outscored Chicago 31-14.

Michael Jordan narrowly finished with a triple-double as well, scoring 31 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and delivering 9 assists in the loss.

1989-90 served as the third consecutive season the Bulls were eliminated by the Pistons. Chicago would end that strike the following season, sweeping Detroit in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals and essentially ending the Pistons' Bad Boys era.

[NBAKING]

They always say Isaiah is salty but never give him his respect .. he beat bird magic and he beat mj .. he actually beat mj more than mj beat him soo 🧐🤷🏾‍♂️

[channeldreams]

I loved when Isaiah jumped up and grabbed Jordan's eventual dunk. He did not care if he got a foul. He wanted to let Jordan know that he was not dunking in this game. No mercy!

[MrAdan-hofw]

Those bad boy Piston teams were some of the greatest of all time

[MazzaMedia_]

The transition of power from the Celtics to Pistons to Bulls in the Eastern Conference in the 1980s into the 1990s was something to behold. All teams who would have gotten to an extra NBA Finals without the other overtaking then.

[slasher.]

Look at these highlights and you see the versatility of Isiah Thomas' skills.
Fastbreak-NO PROBLEM
Short jumpers in the lane-NO PROBLEM
Run the offense in the half court set-NO PROBLEM
DEFENSE-NO PROBLEM
Rebounding-NO PROBLEM
Breaking the defense down-NO PROBLEM.
He did that for Indiana University and DETROIT.
Please don't put Stockton, Paul or Curry in Isiah's class because I don't recall Gonzaga, Utah, Wake Forest, all of Paul's NBA teams or Davidson winning ANYTHING with these guys.

[flimsyflamingo]

People don’t understand, Zeke was the only guy who got in Jordan’s head. Even till this day, Jordan can’t stand being reminded of him. That deserves more than an award.

[Jay-n]

Isiah was one of the best PGs of all time in his prime.

[maddawgjax]

As a long time bulls fan rather you love Zeke or hate him. You gotta respect and learn from him. He put the team on his shoulders and dominated. That's what leadership do.

[luisneves]

People should respect ISIAH THOMAS and this incredible team.The reason MJ hates him so badly this highligh prove why!

[whileimhere.]

IT has to be one of the most underrated point guards of all time the man was a floor general, he controlled the entire game

[arnecruz]

The Bad Boys got one of the best backcourt in the history of the NBA. Zeke, Joe D And Microwave. All killers!

[syedbadshah]

He beat jordan so bad, jordan still hates him

[abduljabbaar]

Where was the "thuggery" that the Pistons were accused of? They were a great team that played physical and Jordan and Pippen didn't like it, so they complained. This video brought back memories for me. Good times!!

[allenmoses]

Isiah Thomas was the General George Patton of basketball. He knew how to the brute force of the Bad Boys to beat the crap out of you. Jordan didn't stand a chance. The only reason he was left off the Dream Team is that all the other pro ballers were ashamed a guy 5-11 tall could beat them just by willing his team to greatness.

[slasher.]

This took place in my final week in West Germany back in June 1990.
I had my barracks all to myself my final month in the military.
I recorded this game and the first 3 against Portland before I shipped my belongings back to the states.
Game 4 against Portland the day before I left Germany and Game 5 was my final day in the military.
THOSE WERE THE

[emmanuelenyinwa]

@3:58. Before the NBA made is illegal to actually defend Michael Jordan. By the 1990s, that steal by Thomas was two shots, a foul, and a fine.

[heinzyketchupy]

I didn’t see any JORDAN RULES happening. MJ just got his ass kicked.

[Mike]

Zeke owned Jordan, plain and simple. Damn

[dennisking]

Isiah Lord Thomas knows how to get separation... does anybody else sees the skill-set??? His name is Zeke... world champion... y'all need to put some respect on his name

[slasher.]

There is one reason why Michael Jordan has nightmares 30 plus years later about Isiah Thomas.
The FILM shows MJ struggled to lead his team to victory when he had to go head to head with either fundamental Isiah Thomas or playground legend Isiah Thomas.
Isiah Thomas could get the best out of limited skilled players like John Salley, Dennis Rodman or Bill Laimbeer while MJ couldn't do the same with Brad Sellers, Craig Hodges or John Paxson.