Chicago Bulls: 5 NBA legends that had Michael Jordan’s number

3. Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons

Record: 19-24 regular season, 10-12 playoffs

It was lengthy back and forth between the Bulls and Detroit Pistons throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s. Jordan and Pistons Hall-of-Fame point guard Isiah Thomas were fairly even in the end, but that is because the latter of the two retired before the former would win all six of his NBA Championships during his playing days.

“Zeke” would win two NBA Championships of his own during his accomplished career. He also was a 12-time All-Star selection, five-time All-NBA honoree, 1981-82 All-Rookie Team selection, 1984-85 assist champ, two-time All-Star Game MVP, and 1990 NBA Finals MVP. Thomas is truly one of the best point guards in the history of the NBA.

But there were a ton of interesting divisional showdowns in the regular seasons and vicious matchups in the playoffs between the Pistons and Bulls throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Thomas would ultimately hold the crown over Jordan and the Bulls, in terms of overall record, in the regular season and playoffs.

Thomas averaged 21.0 points per game, 3.8 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 1.7 steals, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from beyond the arc. Thomas saw a slight drop in his per game averages in the 22 playoff meetings, but still averaged around 19 points per game and nine assists against Jordan and the Bulls.