Adrian Dantley reflects on feud with Isiah Thomas after 1989 Pistons trade

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Adrian Dantley had a memorable NBA career, and the two-time scoring champion is content with how it went. Still, basketball fans often recall his forgettable stint with the Detroit Pistons, especially the 1989 trade for Mark Aguirre. That moment continues to define discussions involving Adrian Dantley and Isiah Thomas.

For Dantley, it is in the past. He did not deny being asked about it repeatedly, especially when conversations turn to Adrian Dantley and Isiah Thomas. He explained that it was a situation beyond his control, yet the story remains relevant decades later.

“It’s funny that even 40 years later, people still ask me about that. I can be in the airport and they say, ‘Man, I don’t like the way they did you at Detroit.’ But it’s amazing how people still have that. They still remember that. But it was just a situation where we didn’t get along,” the six-time All-Star said in an interview with Sports Bytes Philippines.

The real score between Dantley and Thomas

Adrian Dantley [photo credit: By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Phillips/Released - https://www.flickr.com/photos/nsabethesda/38259978012, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85220827 — Adrian Dantley [By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Phillips/Released – https://www.flickr.com/photos/nsabethesda/38259978012, Public Domain, Link]

The 1989 trade sparked long-running debate. Many accused Isiah Thomas of influencing the deal. Thomas denied involvement and claimed it was Dantley who did not want to be with the Pistons. He said Dantley wanted more playing time and clashed with coach Chuck Daly.

“Adrian, at the time, did not want to be a team player. He wasn’t satisfied with playing 30 minutes a night. He wanted to play 38 minutes a night. Consequently, Rodman would play only six minutes a night. Chuck Daly and Adrian butted heads over this several times in practice,” Thomas said, offering his side of the story involving Adrian Dantley and Isiah Thomas.

Dantley downplays claims that he was difficult, insisting it was a matter of not getting along. When asked whether he had moved on, he was blunt. “I don’t have a relationship with him, no,” Dantley said, closing the door on reconciliation between Adrian Dantley and Isiah Thomas.

Dantley’s bonds beyond Pistons drama

Despite tension with Thomas, Dantley had good relationships with other players. Dennis Rodman, in particular, credits Dantley for shaping his defensive game.

“He’d do things (in practice) I couldn’t comprehend, make moves I couldn’t make a move to,” Rodman said, highlighting their interactions separate from Adrian Dantley and Isiah Thomas.

Dantley confirmed he often matched up with Rodman in practice. “Every day in practice, he was always playing against me, and I was always playing against him. I knew back then he was going to be a hell of a good defender. As a matter of fact, I was playing against the best defender every day in practice when Dennis was guarding me,” he recalled.

Though his time in Detroit is often framed around Adrian Dantley and Isiah Thomas, Dantley remains focused on the positives of his career. He values the lessons and memories of his NBA journey while leaving unresolved history with Thomas behind.

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Brian Yalung

Managing Editor at Sports Bytes PH

Brian Yalung is a long-time writer who covers most sports and technology. He focuses on one-on-one interviews with athletes and organizations, going in-depth. He finished his Masters in Business Administration degree at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Applications at the DLSU-College of St. Benilde.