Isiah Thomas Era
The Hall of Fame point guard who led the Detroit Pistons' 'Bad Boys' to back-to-back NBA titles.
Isiah Lord Thomas III (born April 30, 1961), also known as "Zeke", is an American former professional basketball player who played his entire NBA career for the Detroit Pistons. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time, a two-time NBA champion, and an NBA Finals MVP. Thomas was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Position
- Point Guard
- Jersey Number
- 11
- NBA Championships
- 2
- Finals MVP Awards
- 1
- All-Star Selections
- 12
- Hall of Fame
- Inducted 2000
Lore & Background
Thomas led the Pistons' "Bad Boys" to back-to-back NBA championships in 1988–89 and 1989–90. He was named NBA Finals MVP in 1990. His jersey number 11 was retired by the Pistons in 1996. Thomas is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall.
In Their Own Story
The noise inside The Palace was deafening, a wall of sound pressing against the hardwood floor. Isiah stood at the top of the key, clutching the ball as the clock wound down in overtime. The sweat stung his eyes, but he didn't blink. He signaled for the screen, feeling the familiar rhythm of the game that had defined his life for over a decade. With one dribble left, he stepped back and released the shot, watching it arc toward the rim against the backdrop of flashing lights and roaring fans.
Reader's Guide
Thomas played his entire professional career for the Detroit Pistons (1981–1994). He was selected second overall in the 1981 NBA draft. He led the team to the 1988 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Lakers, and then won championships in 1989 and 1990. He retired after tearing his Achilles tendon in 1994.
Did You Know?
- Thomas scored 47 points and 17 assists in a triple-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983.
- He scored 25 points in the third quarter of Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals despite a severely sprained ankle, an NBA Finals record.
- Thomas was a 12-time NBA All-Star and won two All-Star Game MVP awards.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in the Detroit Pistons universe
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