Malone: 'I never had any issue with Isiah'
June, 13, 2012
6/13/12
3:28
PM CT
By ESPNChicago.com
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty ImagesIsiah Thomas and Michael Jordan were fierce rivals on the basketball court.“The Dream Team,” which airs on NBA TV on Wednesday, reportedly shows that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, among others, did not want to play alongside Thomas.
Karl Malone, who made the team alongside his Utah teammate John Stockton, said on ESPN 1000’s “Waddle and Silvy Show” Wednesday that he didn’t give any input on the roster choices.
“First of all guys, you know, it wasn’t my job to pick the team. OK,” Malone said. “It didn’t matter who was out there, they are part of our team. I didn’t have that kind of [influence] and I would like to think that nobody else did. There were a lot of great athletes left off that team.”
One of the NBA’s best all-time point guards, Thomas led the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” to two NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. When Jordan and the Bulls defeated the Pistons in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, Thomas walked off the court with time remaining, failing to congratulate the winners in part of a feud that seemingly continues to this day.
When the 1992 Olympic Team, which for the first time could include NBA players, was built, Magic Johnson and Stockton were the point guards chosen by USA Basketball, leading to rumors that Jordan had “blackballed” Thomas from the team. Even when Stockton injured his leg in a pre-Olympic tournament, USA Basketball stuck with him instead of adding Thomas or another point guard.
“John Stockton got hurt and I tell you straight up, right off the bat, just because a guy got hurt he should not be replaced on an Olympic Team,” Malone said. “Unless it’s going to cost you a potential medal, gold medal, whatever, I just don’t agree with that. It could have been anybody.
“I never had any issue with Isiah. I think guys realized that it didn’t matter who was on the team. I know I could have cared less. It didn’t matter to me who was on that team. I was a part of something great.”
The Dream Team rolled to the gold medal, defeating their eight opponents by an average of 44 points, capped by a win over Croatia in the title game. Pistons coach Chuck Daly coached the squad.

- jadande J.A. Adande
RT @R3b3l11: This reminded me of tony Allen @jadande http://t.co/iCBszg2Qyx
about 2 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
RT @psulur: @jadande well Manu deserved that for this http://t.co/rr5WYtMAMi & this http://t.co/ptAnTJF2mn
about 2 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
RT @allballsdntbwnc: @jadande and that reminded me of this http://t.co/LnsuNy4A1D
about 2 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
Check out the guy on the left side during the replay on this. Reminds me of Tony Allen tonight http://t.co/v0ffKGEWGb
about 2 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
Was it a flagrant foul on Manu Ginobili? Tony Allen: "Yeah, most definitely."
about 2 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- johnhollinger John Hollinger
Proud of how we fought back. Will need a big response from our crowd on Saturday. #gng
about 3 hours ago
- johnhollinger John Hollinger

- jadande J.A. Adande
Spurs had Danny Green in backcourt for inbounds, like a safety on offense.
about 3 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
They generously gave Parker his 18th assist on that even though Duncan stopped, faked & dribbled
about 3 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- nate_robinson Nate Robinson
He got game part 2 &3 #teamrobinson https://t.co/JXhQ2HJoQd
about 4 hours ago
- nate_robinson Nate Robinson

- nate_robinson Nate Robinson
Ballin #teamrobinson https://t.co/QgH7qRF3yd
about 4 hours ago
- nate_robinson Nate Robinson

- jadande J.A. Adande
That's twice Parker has made the mistake of saving a ball under other team's basket. 1st time he got away w/it. This time #notsomuch
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
DeJuan Blair came over to give Tony Parker a big hug during the timeout. Like a good luck hug.
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- nate_robinson Nate Robinson
Jumpers #holdat bout that life #teamrobinson https://t.co/LNwQ1oUsHk
about 4 hours ago
- nate_robinson Nate Robinson

- jadande J.A. Adande
Manu's worst foul since that and-one on Dirk in 2006
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
If this goes to OT...Duncan w/5 fouls, Parker looking exhausted....
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- nate_robinson Nate Robinson
#heartoverheight nahmierrobinson nyalerobinson #stateofnate #teamrobinson getting some shots up b4 bed… http://t.co/yzECA0rxfR
about 4 hours ago
- nate_robinson Nate Robinson

- jadande J.A. Adande
Ginobili might not be the offensive threat he once was...but he's making plays on D that are as good as ever
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- nate_robinson Nate Robinson
#teamrobinson out here working out hard #heightoverheart nahmierrobinson & nyalerobinson #stateofnate… http://t.co/Up5clxrQEZ
about 4 hours ago
- nate_robinson Nate Robinson

- jadande J.A. Adande
Parker's helping the Spurs in more ways than I've ever seen from him before. But he has to take it upon himself to score now.
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande

- jadande J.A. Adande
Bonus with 7:23 left. This is going to be a loooong quarter.
about 4 hours ago
- jadande J.A. Adande
TEAM LEADERS
| POINTS | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Luol Deng
|
|||||||||||
| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| Rebounds | J. Noah | 11.1 | ||||||||||
| Assists | K. Hinrich | 5.2 | ||||||||||
| Steals | J. Noah | 1.2 | ||||||||||
| Blocks | J. Noah | 2.1 | ||||||||||



CHICAGO BULLS ON TWITTER
You must be signed in to post a comment