Isiah Thomas’s enduring feud with Michael Jordan took another turn when NBA legend Charles Oakley jumped in to support Jordan.

He averred that MJ never wanted a friendship with Thomas, igniting a new tussle between Thomas, aka Zeke, and Oakley, aka the Oak Tree. Since then, Zeke has been active on Twitter, defending himself against references to past incidents.

A tweet where Thomas brought up a past controversy involving Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, drew significant backlash from fans. In the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Detroit Pistons, including Thomas, failed to shake hands with the victorious Chicago Bulls, igniting major outrage in the basketball community. Zeke recently tried to defend this action through a tweet, quoting Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird, who he claimed, never shook hands with Magic Johnson in similar circumstances. This has drawn further criticism on Thomas, both for not owning up to his actions and making excuses. Many fans have voiced their interpretations, with a dominant sentiment being that Thomas needs to bury the hatchet with Jordan.

The NBA in the 1980s was dominated by two major teams – the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, powered by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird respectively. Nicknamed ‘The Hick from French Lick’, Bird refused to be guarded by players below 6’6″, as he believed they could not stop him. This confidence stemmed from his dream run, where he bagged three championships and three MVP league titles. A significant chapter in Bird’s dominant NBA career was revealed by Rex Chapman. Recalling a game where his team, the Hornets, lined up 6’5″ Kelly Tripucka to guard Bird. Bird’s bemused reaction was swiftly followed by a burst of unstoppable aggression. He scored two baskets and one assist in just four possessions, enough to force a disruption in the Hornets’ defense. Bird also liked to assert dominance over those who threatened his legacy, such as rookie Shawn Kemp. Kemp burnished his reputation by breaking Bird’s state records. In response, Bird taught Kemp an unforgettably hard lesson in a game by amassing 40 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. His performance served as a stern reminder to all players – never upset the ‘Great White Hope’.