Before securing two championships, the Detroit Pistons faced a significant hurdle in the form of the Boston Celtics , establishing their presence as one of the most formidable teams in the Eastern Conference in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Amidst their heated and intense playoff battles, Isiah Thomas became acutely aware of the genuine animosity and deep-seated bad blood between the two teams. This realization unfolded during a simple elevator ride with his teammate Joe Dumars, and the team’s general manager Jack McCloskey.
Isiah on what happened in the elevator ride
During his appearance on ‘Showtime with Coop,’ Zeke delved into the palpable animosity he perceived between the key figures of both the Pistons and the Celtics.
The 12-time All-Star keen observations highlighted how the on-court exchanges and fierce competitions had forever altered the dynamics, making it clear that normal relations off the court were an elusive prospect.
“I’m not sure what All-Star Game it was that year. It’s me, Joe Dumars, and Jack McCloskey on the elevator. The elevator door opens. Red Auerbach walks in. Joe and I are standing in the back thinking that Jack and Red are at least going to say hello, shake hands, whatever. That whole elevator ride, neither one of them looked at each other, acknowledged each other, or said hello, ” Thomas said. “They got off the elevator, Joe and I looked at each other, and it was like, ‘OK, we understand how this really is.'”