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Economic Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Isiah Thomas highlights rare playoff wins over Jordan, Johnson, and Bird
Isiah Thomas is the only NBA player to defeat Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in consecutive playoff runs while winning back-to-back championships. His recent Instagram post and interview reaffirm this rare feat, pushing back on the 'controversial' label often tied to his NBA legacy Isiah Thomas remains the only player in NBA history to defeat Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in consecutive playoff runs and win back-to-back NBA titles Isiah Thomas defeated three MVPs in consecutive playoff runs Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Instagram post underscores career milestone Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Thomas responds to "controversial" reputation Isiah Thomas has reiterated a rare distinction in NBA history, defeating Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in consecutive playoff series while leading the Detroit Pistons to two straight NBA titles. The Hall of Fame point guard emphasized the accomplishment in a recent Instagram post and a Sports Illustrated 1988, the Pistons eliminated Michael Jordan's Bulls in the playoffs. Jordan was the regular season MVP that year. Detroit then defeated the Boston Celtics, led by 1987 MVP Larry Bird. In the NBA Finals, the Pistons extended the series to seven games against Magic Johnson's Lakers. Despite losing the series, Thomas famously scored 25 points in a single quarter during Game 6 while playing through a sprained read: Orlando Magic reveal new logo and uniforms for 2025–26 NBA season In 1989, Detroit returned to the Finals and swept Johnson's Lakers, who entered the postseason with Johnson as the reigning MVP. The following year, Thomas once again led the Pistons past Jordan and the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Detroit won the NBA title, with Thomas earning the Finals his Instagram post, Thomas shared the following:'Isiah Thomas is the ONLY player in @nbahistory to defeat three league MVPs in consecutive NBA Playoff runs — and then win back-to-back championships.💥 1988:✅ Defeated Michael Jordan (1988 League MVP)✅ Defeated Larry Bird (1987 League MVP)✅ Took Magic Johnson's Lakers to 7 games in the Finals on a sprained ankle and scored 25 points in one quarter — an NBA Finals record still today💥 1989:✅ SWEPT Magic Johnson (1989 League MVP) and the Lakers in the NBA Finals.🏆 NBA Champion💥 1990:✅ Beat Michael Jordan again in the Eastern Conference Finals.🏆 NBA Champion🏅 Finals MVP📊 ISIAH'S NBA FINALS DOMINANCE (1988–1990)✅ 3 Straight Finals Appearances✅ 2 NBA Titles✅ 1 Finals MVPFinals Averages (1988–1990):• 🧠 22.6 PPG• 🎯 7.5 APG• 🔥 49.6% FG• 💣 55.8% 3PT (24-of-43)• 💥 57.9% 3PT in 1990 Finals alone (11-of-19) — the highest in Finals history• 🧮 Combined FG% (2PT + 3PT weighted): 51.3%🔐 No Top 50 teammates while the MVPs had one or more#NBAHistory Let it Known'In his Sports Illustrated interview, Thomas questioned why he continues to be labeled as 'controversial' despite his record of success, especially against Michael Jordan.'I don't run away from it. Fortunately for me, I'm probably one of the only people that can walk around this Earth and say, in playoff competition, I beat Jordan more than he beat me,' Thomas said. 'I would put Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird in that same conversation ... For some reason, that makes me controversial.'Also read: NBA Finals: Check ways to watch, betting odds, and other details He added, 'I'm okay with winning if winning comes with that controversy. I'm not going to lose to him just so some people can be satisfied. I'm not going to ignore that I won.'The Pistons and Bulls faced off in four consecutive playoff series from 1988 to 1991. In 22 postseason matchups between Thomas and Jordan, Thomas won 12 games, while Jordan won 10.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Isiah Thomas highlights rare playoff wins over Jordan, Johnson, and Bird
Isiah Thomas defeated three MVPs in consecutive playoff runs Instagram post underscores career milestone Live Events Thomas responds to "controversial" reputation (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Isiah Thomas has reiterated a rare distinction in NBA history, defeating Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in consecutive playoff series while leading the Detroit Pistons to two straight NBA titles. The Hall of Fame point guard emphasized the accomplishment in a recent Instagram post and a Sports Illustrated 1988, the Pistons eliminated Michael Jordan's Bulls in the playoffs. Jordan was the regular season MVP that year. Detroit then defeated the Boston Celtics, led by 1987 MVP Larry Bird. In the NBA Finals, the Pistons extended the series to seven games against Magic Johnson's Lakers. Despite losing the series, Thomas famously scored 25 points in a single quarter during Game 6 while playing through a sprained read: Orlando Magic reveal new logo and uniforms for 2025–26 NBA season In 1989, Detroit returned to the Finals and swept Johnson's Lakers, who entered the postseason with Johnson as the reigning MVP. The following year, Thomas once again led the Pistons past Jordan and the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. Detroit won the NBA title, with Thomas earning the Finals his Instagram post, Thomas shared the following:'Isiah Thomas is the ONLY player in @nbahistory to defeat three league MVPs in consecutive NBA Playoff runs — and then win back-to-back championships.💥 1988:✅ Defeated Michael Jordan (1988 League MVP)✅ Defeated Larry Bird (1987 League MVP)✅ Took Magic Johnson's Lakers to 7 games in the Finals on a sprained ankle and scored 25 points in one quarter — an NBA Finals record still today💥 1989:✅ SWEPT Magic Johnson (1989 League MVP) and the Lakers in the NBA Finals.🏆 NBA Champion💥 1990:✅ Beat Michael Jordan again in the Eastern Conference Finals.🏆 NBA Champion🏅 Finals MVP📊 ISIAH'S NBA FINALS DOMINANCE (1988–1990)✅ 3 Straight Finals Appearances✅ 2 NBA Titles✅ 1 Finals MVPFinals Averages (1988–1990):• 🧠 22.6 PPG• 🎯 7.5 APG• 🔥 49.6% FG• 💣 55.8% 3PT (24-of-43)• 💥 57.9% 3PT in 1990 Finals alone (11-of-19) — the highest in Finals history• 🧮 Combined FG% (2PT + 3PT weighted): 51.3%🔐 No Top 50 teammates while the MVPs had one or more#NBAHistory Let it Known'In his Sports Illustrated interview, Thomas questioned why he continues to be labeled as 'controversial' despite his record of success, especially against Michael Jordan.'I don't run away from it. Fortunately for me, I'm probably one of the only people that can walk around this Earth and say, in playoff competition, I beat Jordan more than he beat me,' Thomas said. 'I would put Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird in that same conversation ... For some reason, that makes me controversial.'Also read: NBA Finals: Check ways to watch, betting odds, and other details He added, 'I'm okay with winning if winning comes with that controversy. I'm not going to lose to him just so some people can be satisfied. I'm not going to ignore that I won.'The Pistons and Bulls faced off in four consecutive playoff series from 1988 to 1991. In 22 postseason matchups between Thomas and Jordan, Thomas won 12 games, while Jordan won 10.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Isiah Thomas Flexes Rare Feat Of Beating Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson And Larry Bird
Isiah Thomas Flexes Rare Feat Of Beating Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson And Larry Bird originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The late '80s and early '90s marked a transitional phase in the end of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's era and the beginning of Michael Jordan's era. But before Jordan became the torchbearer of the '90s era in the NBA, Isiah Thomas and the 'Bad Boy' Pistons made their mark on NBA history. Advertisement Isiah Thomas is one of the few NBA players who can claim they beat Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in the Playoffs. A few other players may claim they have done so, but what makes Thomas more special is that he led his team to beat them after they became the regular season MVPs, and then he went on to win two (back-to-back) championships. This makes him the only player in NBA history to beat 3 MVPs in consecutive Playoffs, win back-to-back championships, and also win a Finals MVP. Thomas went on Instagram and reminded his fans of what he accomplished during his career. His caption read as follows: Advertisement "Isiah Thomas is the ONLY player in @nbahistory to defeat three league MVPs in consecutive NBA Playoff runs — and then win back-to-back championships. Let's break it down: 💥 1988:✅ Defeated Michael Jordan (1988 League MVP) ✅ Defeated Larry Bird (1987 League MVP) ✅ Took Magic Johnson's Lakers to 7 games in the Finals on a sprained ankle and scored 25 points in one quarter — an NBA Finals record still today 💥 1989:✅ SWEPT Magic Johnson (1989 League MVP) and the Lakers in the NBA Finals. 🏆 NBA Champion 💥 1990:✅ Beat Michael Jordan again in the Eastern Conference Finals. 🏆 NBA Champion Advertisement 🏅 Finals MVP 📊 ISIAH'S NBA FINALS DOMINANCE (1988–1990) ✅ 3 Straight Finals Appearances ✅ 2 NBA Titles ✅ 1 Finals MVP Finals Averages (1988–1990): • 🧠 22.6 PPG • 🎯 7.5 APG • 🔥 49.6% FG • 💣 55.8% 3PT (24-of-43) • 💥 57.9% 3PT in 1990 Finals alone (11-of-19) — the highest in Finals history • 🧮 Combined FG% (2PT + 3PT weighted): 51.3%🔐 No Top 50 teammates while the MVPs had one or more #NBAHistory Let it Be Known" Isiah Thomas Calls Out 'Controversial' Tag Over Michael Jordan Record In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Isiah Thomas recently called out the NBA media and fans for deeming him 'controversial' since he's unapologetic about his playoff record against Michael Jordan. Advertisement "I don't run away from it. Fortunately for me, I'm probably one of the only people that can walk around this Earth and say, in playoff competition, I beat Jordan more than he beat me. I would put Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird in that same conversation ... For some reason, that makes me controversial." "I'm ok with winning if winning comes with that controversy," Thomas said. "I'm not going to lose to him just so some people can be satisfied. I don't mind talking about my history and my basketball accomplishments. When I talk about them, I'm sorry, I did win. If you prefer me to ignore that I won, I don't know how that works." The Bulls and Pistons faced each other consecutively over four years in the NBA Playoffs from 1988 to 1991. Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas faced off in 22 games in the Playoffs. Jordan had a 10-12 record versus Thomas in his career. Related: Stephen Curry Wants To Follow Michael Jordan's Footsteps Even After Retirement This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
