Bird was shocked Isiah ended up being snubbed from the iconic squad.
Isiah Thomas not being on the 1992 Dream Team is still a hot topic. Many, including the Detroit Pistons legend, blame Michael Jordan for it. Others say several Dream Team players did not want Zeke on the squad.
Still, according to Larry Bird, it was inevitable for someone to be snubbed from the greatest basketball team ever. Unfortunately for Thomas, he ended up being that guy.
“The problem with a selection process like that is that a lot of guys are left off,” the legendary forward said in his book “Bird Watching.” “You always know someone is going to be left unhappy.”
The first time with no tryouts
Unlike previous Olympics, where USAB invited a pool of players and had them try out for roster spots, the 1992 Dream Team was the first time no trials were held. Instead, USAB assembled a panel that selected the members of the team.
The committee comprised NBA executives, college coaches, and other U.S. basketball personalities. There were no specific criteria for choosing the team members. The only mandate was to pick the 12 players that would give the United States its best chance at reclaiming Olympic glory.
“Of course, there was going to be controversy over who didn’t make it, and the one guy most people were talking about was Isiah Thomas. I know he must have been hurt by it. Hell, Isiah was one of the top players in the league. He helped Detroit win two championships. He was one of those special players, and, to be honest, I wondered myself why he wasn’t on the team,” Larry added.
Magic wanted Isiah on the team
Magic Johnson issued a statement expressing his disappointment after Thomas wasn’t among the first 10 names announced as members of the Dream Team. The legendary guard hoped Isiah would get one of the final two spots on the team.
“I sincerely hope the selection committee awards one of the final two remaining roster positions to Isiah,” he said. “I say this not because Isiah is my friend but because I believe he will assist the team in winning the gold medal.”
Unfortunately for Zeke, the final two spots went to Clyde Drexler and Christian Laettner. And even when USAB contemplated replacing the injured John Stockton, they did not consider Isiah.
Whether it was Jordan, the selection process, or another reason, it was clear that both Magic and Bird believed Isiah should have been with them in Barcelona.