Isiah Thomas Refuses to Join Celtics Documentary Over Last Dance Experience

CLEVELAND, OH — Isiah Thomas, the legendary Detroit Pistons point guard, will not appear in the new docuseries “Celtics City,” which chronicles the history of the Boston Celtics. Thomas, who played against the Celtics during the intense rivalry of the 1980s, cited a negative experience from ESPN’s “The Last Dance” as the primary reason for his decision.

In an interview with SiriusXM, Thomas, a two-time NBA champion, explained his reluctance to participate in the Celtics documentary. He expressed concerns about being “set up,” referencing how he felt misrepresented in the 2020 miniseries focusing on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. “I wasn’t gonna get fooled twice, so I just decided not to participate in the documentary and be able to talk about it,” Thomas said.

Known affectionately as “Zeke,” Thomas was a significant figure for the physical “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, a team famous for its rough playing style. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Pistons notably battled the Celtics in multiple playoff series, establishing a fierce rivalry. The Celtics defeated the Pistons in their first postseason meeting in 1985, but after that, Detroit had the upper hand, culminating in three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals matchups that saw the Pistons come out victorious.

Thomas’s absence from “Celtics City” stands out given his historic role in the rivalry. He played against Celtics legends like Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. His reluctance to join the documentary showcases lingering animosities and differing perspectives on team histories, especially after his experience with “The Last Dance,” which he described as blind siding him.

He remarked, “I decided not to do the Boston documentary because of what Jordan and The Last Dance did. They totally set me up.” This sentiment mirrors the controversy surrounding the portrayal of the Pistons in the Bulls-centric film, which some believe painted them in an overly negative light.

Despite not participating in the documentary, the Celtics and Pistons’ rivalry and its significance in NBA history remain integral to the narrative. In their heated matchups, the two teams met frequently in the playoffs, further escalating the competitive dynamic. Their clashes resulted in memorable moments, including the infamous 1991 Eastern Conference Finals sweep, where many Pistons players, including Thomas, chose to leave the court without shaking hands.

While “Celtics City” aims to depict the Boston franchise’s legacy, Thomas’s decision not to participate raises questions about narrative completeness. Many fans and analysts believe that his insights would have added valuable depth to the storytelling, considering he played a pivotal role in shaping that era of basketball.

As it stands, Thomas’s voice will not be featured in this docuseries, mirroring ongoing dialogues around representation and the complexities within sports documentaries. For viewers interested in exploring this rivalry, “Celtics City” is currently available to stream on Max, providing a thorough analysis of the Celtics’ illustrious history, despite certain key perspectives being omitted.