Isiah Thomas on him, Magic, Bird, and MJ spoiling NBA fans: "There was a time when all of us were very unpopular"

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The saying “to succeed in life, you must learn to be unpopular” may seem surprising at first glance. While its validity is not easily proven, a statement once made by Isiah Thomas seems to subtly endorse this concept.

It emerged when Zeke reflected on how he, along with fellow NBA superstars like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan, spoiled fans with their legendary existence.

“If you look at our careers, there was a time when all of us were very unpopular. At some point, you have to decide, ‘Do I want to be loved, or do I want to win?’ I chose winning every time,” Zeke emphasized, per SLAM Magazine.

Hated heroes

The NBA has always had ‘good guys’ who are universally adored by fans. On the other hand, bad guys’ or ‘villains’ are typically revered by their own franchise’s fanbase but hated by the rest.

They tend to push the rules to their limits and sometimes cross them, intensely driven by a win-at-all-costs mentality. Thomas, along with the aforementioned legends, embodies this mindset.

“You’ve got to be willing to put it on the line and step into the bloodbath, or else you’re always going to be on the fringes,” Zeke explained.

Joining the NBA in 1981, the iconic point guard quickly became notorious for his contentious behavior. Disliked by many opposing fans and making many enemies in the league, his polarizing presence led to his exclusion from the Dream Team.

Zeke’s aggressive play style epitomized the ‘Bad Boys Pistons,’ who became one of the NBA’s most hated teams ever. Post-retirement in 1994, Thomas’s front-office actions, particularly with the New York Knicks, further strained relationships.

The double-edged sword of Zeke’s legacy

There aren’t as many Hall of Famers synonymous with controversy as Zeke. However, the former player likely never dwelt on such negativity.

In fact, that edge seemed crucial for him to become the legendary player he was, even embracing the controversies that came his way, adhering to the belief, “Better to be spoken of poorly than not at all.”

Embodying this ethos, Zeke earned 12 All-Star selections, led the league in assists in 1985, clinched Finals MVP in 1990, and won two rings with his sole franchise.

Thomas certainly left a scorched path in his basketball life, and not even his charisma or warm smile could conceal that. The 2020 documentary ‘The Last Dance,’ which highlighted his rivalry with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, only reinforced this sentiment, doing little to improve his contentious reputation.

Although off-court issues may have clouded Thomas’ legacy, his on-court brilliance was undeniable. Ultimately, for Zeke, the two championship rings won with the Pistons are perhaps the best remedy for any hate.