• Jordan admitted Isiah Thomas is the second-best point guard of all time, behind only Magic Johnson
• The admission is remarkable given Jordan’s fierce rivalry with Thomas throughout the late 1980s
• Jordan even lobbied to keep Thomas off the legendary 1992 Dream Team roster

CHICAGO (TDR) — In one of basketball’s most fascinating admissions, Michael Jordan once confessed that a player he openly hated is better than modern superstar Steph Curry—and that player is Isiah Thomas.

The declaration carries extra weight considering the legendary animosity between Jordan and Thomas, a rivalry so intense that MJ successfully kept the Detroit Pistons star off the 1992 Dream Team despite Thomas being one of the era’s most dominant players.

“No Matter How Much I Hate Him”

Jordan’s quote about Thomas has resurfaced as basketball fans continue debating the greatest point guard of all time, a conversation that has intensified with Curry’s remarkable career.

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“I respect Isiah Thomas’ talent,” Jordan said. “To me, the best point guard of all time is Magic Johnson, and right behind him is Isiah Thomas. No matter how much I hate him, I respect his game.”

The statement reveals the complexity of Jordan’s competitive mind—able to separate personal animosity from professional assessment. Throughout the late 1980s, Jordan and Thomas battled fiercely on the court, with Thomas’ “Bad Boy” Pistons repeatedly crushing Jordan’s Bulls championship hopes before Chicago finally broke through.

The Dream Team Snub

The rivalry reached its peak when Jordan reportedly lobbied to exclude Thomas from the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, one of the most star-studded basketball rosters ever assembled. Despite Thomas’ Hall of Fame credentials and two NBA championships with Detroit, he watched from home as Jordan and Magic Johnson led Team USA to gold in Barcelona.

The snub remains one of basketball’s most controversial personnel decisions, with many believing Thomas’ exclusion was purely political rather than talent-based.

Where Does Curry Rank?

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Jordan’s assessment places Thomas firmly above Curry in the all-time point guard hierarchy, though the Golden State Warriors star has built an undeniable case for himself. Curry has won four NBA championships, earned two MVP awards, and captured NBA Finals MVP honors in 2022. He revolutionized the game with his three-point shooting, becoming the league’s all-time leader with more than 4,000 career three-pointers.

Yet Jordan’s ranking isn’t entirely dismissive of Curry. In 2023, Jordan texted ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith to clarify his position on the point guard debate.

“Although greatest of anything is always a debate, I beg to differ on ‘greatest point guard of all time,'” Jordan wrote. “Magic Johnson is easily the best point guard of all time. Steph Curry is very close, but not in front of Magic. You must define point guard to really have a serious debate.”

Magic Still Reigns Supreme

Both Jordan and most basketball historians agree: Magic Johnson stands alone at the top. Johnson’s five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, three MVP awards, and ability to play multiple positions at 6-foot-9 make him the consensus choice as the greatest point guard ever.

Thomas won two NBA titles with Detroit and made 12 All-Star appearances during his career, building a resume that earned Jordan’s grudging respect despite their personal feud.

The Evolution of the Position

The debate highlights how the point guard position has evolved over decades. Thomas played a more traditional floor general role, orchestrating offense and playing fierce defense. Curry revolutionized the position with unprecedented shooting range, forcing defenses to extend far beyond the three-point line.

Jordan’s willingness to rank a bitter rival above a player he’s praised shows the Bulls legend’s commitment to honest basketball assessment, even when it contradicts his personal feelings. That Thomas earned such respect from someone who actively worked to damage his legacy speaks volumes about the Pistons legend’s talent.

Can personal hatred ever truly be separated from professional evaluation, or does Jordan’s assessment prove greatness transcends rivalry?

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