Isiah Thomas Reflects on the Infamous 1991 Handshake Incident with Michael Jordan
The rivalry between Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls is one of the most intense and well-known in NBA history. Their battles in the late 1980s and early 1990s were marked by fierce competition and physical play, culminating in a pivotal moment during the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals. After the Bulls completed a 4-0 sweep of the Pistons, an infamous incident occurred when several Pistons players, including Thomas, walked off the court before the final buzzer, avoiding a handshake with the victorious Bulls. This moment would become one of the most controversial in NBA history, sparking a media firestorm and fueling the rivalry between Thomas and Jordan.
At the time, Michael Jordan expressed his disappointment over Thomas not shaking his hand, a gesture of sportsmanship that is now common practice in the NBA. The walk-off incident was heavily scrutinized, and Thomas became the target of criticism for failing to adhere to the expected post-game ritual. However, in a recent interview with Come and Talk 2 Me, Thomas set the record straight, offering his side of the story and explaining how this moment inadvertently influenced the way players approach sportsmanship today.
According to Thomas, handshakes between teams after playoff series were not as public or expected before the 1991 incident. “Up until 1991 when the Detroit Pistons got swept by the Chicago Bulls, nobody expected a handshake,” he said. Thomas pointed out that handshakes did happen, but they were usually private, occurring in the locker rooms after the public and media had left. This practice was not part of the spectacle we see today. “When y’all would lose in the playoffs, the losing team, after everybody left the floor, they would come into the locker room and shake your head and say good luck,” Thomas explained. “It wasn’t a passing of the torch and everybody watching.”
This explanation challenges the narrative that Thomas’ failure to shake hands was a direct act of disrespect. In his view, the media attention surrounding the incident led to the widespread expectation of public handshakes after games, a tradition that has persisted in the NBA to this day. “After 1991 and they said Isiah didn’t shake Michael Jordan’s hand… that’s when everybody started, after 1991, shaking hands,” Thomas noted.
Today, handshakes between opposing teams after games are standard, symbolizing respect and sportsmanship. Thomas’ comments offer valuable context to understand how the 1991 handshake controversy helped shape the current NBA culture. What was once a private gesture became a public ritual after the Pistons’ walk-off, ultimately changing how players interact with one another following intense playoff battles.
While the 1991 incident remains a key moment in the rivalry between Thomas and Jordan, it also played a role in the evolution of NBA traditions, highlighting how media scrutiny can influence the way the game is played and perceived.
