Agreed. Lots of guys have great form when they’re shooting off the pass. This guy had smooth shooting form coming off the dribble. He was always in control of his body and his shot.
@@trollsworstnightmare3769MAN ISIAH WAS GREAT!!! KEEP WATCHING HIS OLD HIGHLIGHTS HE WAS STEPH BUT ALOT TOUGHER IF 3's were the thing then he would of perfected his down town Judy brown an Steph would of been nothing new at today!! Fr But I luv Steph he great tho ..
Love IT. He's slept on. Undersized guard who had crazy handles for his time and insane playmaking ability. He could give you buckets too. Easily one of the 5 best point guards of all-time. You should do his 84-85' season where he averaged 21 and 13.
Yeah bruh.. the years before they had got defensive minded, and added the like of Joe D, Worm, and Spider Salley etc.. I believe were Zeke's best years. When kiki Vandeweghe was his running mate. And they just gave you buckets in bunches.
@@araynova KELLY TRIPUKA WAS ZEKE ' S RUNNING MATE . KIKI WAS PLAYING WITH DENVER , PORTLAND , NEW YORK OR THE LAC . ISAIH'S BEST YEARS WAS BEFORE JOE DUMARS ARRIVED . ISAIH WENT 20 PTS AND 10 ASSIST 4 STRAIGHT YEARS . ONLY 2ND TO OSCAR ROBERTSON'S 5 TOTAL . MAGIC JONHSON AND. KEVIN JOHNSON DID IT 3 TIMES . MOST DON'T THIS ONCE , LET. ALONE. MULTIPLE. TIMES . JOHN STOCKTON NEVER DID THIS. AND JOHN NEVER AVERAGED 20 PTS. FOR A SEASON . BUT , PEOPLE WANT TO JOHN AHEAD OF ISAIH . WHICH I VERY MUCH DISAGREE WITH .>🎤
@@GABEMOORE533 thanks bruh.. soon as you said Mr.Kelly's name.. I was like, "Where in the F--- did I get Kiki Vandeweghe name from?!". Maybe it was because of that alltime NBA highest scoring game they had back in the day.. but yes. Zeke is rarely mentioned in the pantheon, of alltime great PGs. And I also believe by Zeke being left off the Dream Team, kinda causes people to forget, how a great of a player he was, during his era. Wasn't James Long another great player, off those early defenseless Pistons' teams gang?
The most impressive thing to me about Isiah was his play style. He would play a quiet game if it meant they were winning. But when he felt like offense was needed, he just took over. He had a different mindset every quarter. And they won a lot of games because of it.
He would beat Jordan, Bird, Magic....with a rebound, a trap, a pass, a bucket, an assist...and he would do it in the clutch. He would take over entire playoff games against ANYBODY. Celtics are my team but Thomas is my player.
Isiah Thomas was in the top 10 NBA players ever to lace up a pair of sneakers. EVER! If you watched him in Detroit you know he was superb on another level...and at 6'1".
Best point guard I’ve ever seen play. Immaculate shooting stroke. Huge bag. Either hand. Floaters, runners, hooks. Outside, inside. Off the dribble or catch and shoot. Go left or right. Never carried. Never walked. Drove the lane. Midrange pull up jumper was $. So quick. Hops and a huge motor. All the while dropping dimes, setting hard, hard screens and fighting for rebounds. Tenacious defender. Then the intangibles: unquestioned leader of his team on both ends of the floor. Dragged the franchise out of the gutter to back to back championships. Not only played hurt but played great hurt. Nobody wanted to win more than Zeke. When they first said it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog they were talking about Isaiah Thomas. He could and would fight you.
That's the real reason Jordan doesn't like Zeke, he gave him buckets!🤣🤣. And lots of em, he even stripped him! Yeah that would make someone like Mike, not like him.🤣
Isiah Thomas was NOT ahead of his time; Isiah Thomas was 'The TIME'... the Pistons were 'THE TIME' and they have an era, time, culture, and framework that is the resource for championship formula for ages -- that's what Isiah Lord Thomas III established in professional basketball. All of those Pistons: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson, John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Mark Aguirre, James Edwards, and Rick Mahorn all have their own standard, culture, and legacy because that team and those players and coaches were trend-setters whom EVERYONE hated that was not a Pistons fan. The league HATED the Detroit Pistons and this is why they NEVER show those guys and that team destroying Jordan. The Detroit Pistons from 1989 and 1990 and even before, mentally broke the NBA.
@@tonydemasso3691 Well Rodman made it on the 75 team but in '97, it was just Thomas; still pissed Dumars didn't make the 75 but Harden who could not and cannot perform made it and Pippen made it as a second-tier player who was NEVER MVP of the Finals like Dumars and could never come through in big moments for his team as Dumars did for his team.
@@ericcleve4447 Exactly... I always say: Isiah Thomas 3, Michael Jordan 1, the one Jordan got Thomas was hurt and the Pistons let that sweep happen to make sure players had more financial benefits through Jordan becoming a global icon, remember, Jordan is 'money' Aguirre, Laimbeer, and Thomas are from Chicago and Isiah was the President of the Player's Association and salaries, bonuses, pensions, and TV revenue went up due to Thomas' negotiations in the 90's...plus, what's the obvious that happened? The Pistons broke up their championship team by not re-signing Vinnie Johnson and James Edwards. So that's obvious, change the competition to help the Bulls. So now what?... The NBA has to create a new foe, the Bad Boy Knicks/The New York Bad Boys - HAHAHA! With Jordan's friends, Ewing and Oakley and Pat Riley replaces Chuck Daly -- that was a complete joke.
About time i see a isiah thomas highlight reel from the bigger named RUclips channel...Long overdue and glad that someone decided to put respect in that man name
He was doing that during the era where defense is more physical, 7 footers camping the paint in defense, ball carry are strictly called, 3 steps also strictly called and illegal screens are strictly called as well. Top-5 PG of all time, no argument.
I agree. Steph is a greater shooter but not half the overall player offensively or defensively and Iverson was perhaps more talented but not half the responsible and trustworthy leader. IDK about not close, but clearly ahead.
@@jalemjones9743 yeah he’s number 2 behind magic.. currys defense and passing keeps him behind Isaiah for me n curry has always been a complete failure in playoffs in clutch moments
People don't understand that Zeke once went through Bird, Jordan, and Magic in their primes to win a championship. Again, he defeated Jordan, Bird, and Magic to win a championship. I'm 41 so I know the most vicious killers I've ever witnessed in the NBA are Mamba, Jordan, Bird, Iverson, and Zeke. Zeke has this cherubic smile but beneath that facade is the most vicious killer to ever come out of the bloody and merciless streets of the Westside of Chicago. I remember from 88 to 91, it was basically he and Jordan battling for NBA supremacy. Side note: Zeke is one of the few players to have a winning record against Jordan which is one of the reasons they don't fuck with each other, MJ hated the fact he couldn't beat Zeke how he wanted to and Zeke HATED the fact MJ was getting Chicago love in his hometown! LOL #IsiahLordThomas #BadBoys #DetroitBasketball #WestChi #Gangsta
I’m forty so of the same generation and mindset. Jordan hated Zeke because they are one and the same. Look at those highlights, very similar killer attitudes. Zeke just happened to be about a half foot shorter.
@@quinntonexecute #FactCheck Jordan was indeed in his prime. Your prime starts when you're typically 25 and they peak around 27 to 29 and then typically decline after 35. From 1988 to 91 Jordan was aged 25 to 28 during those years. However, we didn't get to see Jordan at the "peak" of his prime athletically be he retired at age 29 and didn't come back until he was 31, but then he has to rebuild his body to get into basketball shape after training to be a baseball player.
@@quinntonexecute …Jordan was in his prime … Pippen and the others weren’t and he still needed Phil Jackson. Once MJ and his teammates clicked they as history shows unbeatable. It helped that the mileage on the Pistons took a toll, Boston and LA were older, and all 3 saw their talent gutted. The rule changes to protect the player with the ball also helped. But these factors only slightly helped. Even at full strength and in their prime. I don’t think any of those 3 teams could have beaten the 90s Bulls.
also he was, quite probably, the less scummiest person on a team of, well, scumbags lots of stuff proving that, just do your research and so skillful and finesse-based himsele an interesting character in the world of NBA, for sure
I'm a Magic Johnson/James Worthy/Kareem fan from the old school Lakers, but when they played the Pistons and Isiah, deep inside I always rooted for Isiah. What he did to get to the NBA earned him a mini movie. I remake needs to be made.
Most say that AI is the best small guard ever but its either Thomas or Stockton. I give the edge to Thomas. Two rings. Should've been 3. Definitely deserved to get 1 season MVP.
What is hardly ever mentioned is how Isiah used to abused taller guards and forwards off the dribble and in the paint. I never once saw 6-9 Magic Johnson block a shot by 6-1 Isiah Thomas. In fact, I never saw 6-7 DPOY winner Michael Cooper do it either.
I don't think that most average fans realize just how talented Zeke was. I don't think I did, and I watched this team in my youth. What could he have accomplished in today's era of basketball that plays very weak defense.His toughness, ability to go to the rack at will. Would be something to behold.
I will tell ANYONE, show me where Magic Johnson off the dribble took folks 94 feet consistently to score from the three point line, jumpers in the paint, driving layups or slick passes against players as quick as him or even taller. Magic Johnson didn't have the one on one skills that Isiah Thomas possessed . Magic had incredible talent on all his teams and never had to do the things Isiah had to do to make his franchise great.
Detriot loves you man, you gave us the championship like a G with the whole crew. I heard the commentator saying "they're going to have to stop the penitration" 😂😂😂😂😂
@@mr.daniel2000 Isiah was more clutch, better defender, better plamaker, better leader, and was just as tough mentally as AI. Love Iverson but I would take IT if I want to win a championship.
@@mr.daniel2000 Isiah Has Handles to Wym… athletic only get u so far… Your comparing Ai to someone whose a 2x Champion… And Zeke did something Ai couldn’t he Beat Magic, Bird and Mj in the playoffs Ai had one crossover and still lost that game😂
Isiah is VASTLY underrated today as one of the GREATEST players ever to play the game. Partly 1) because of the media bias against him over his disputes with the worshipped Jordan (Thomas having stopped him even more than Bird and Magic in the 80's), partly 2) because of the Stephan A. machoistic small-minded mindset in sports media today on the number of rings as a qualifier of great players which thinks that two (had a third stolen from him by a bad NBA referee's call) championships are "not enough" (as if basketball is still not a team sport with people winning who would never have on other franchises and even then, when giants of the game with some of the best players and resources of their time at their disposal and with multiple chances at winning championships like Wilt and Jerry West only won ONE ring each and even then ONLY when they were together!), and partly 3) due to the unconscious assumption that as a small point guard, there is no way he could have dominated any of the other "Goat" candidates, other all-time great teams or even the era he played in, but they're wrong because that's exactly what he and his possibly-greatest-defensive-team-of-all-time Pistons did (see Michael Jordan 1987-1990)! Lastly, as an older fan with a love of basketball handling skills and knowing how great Magic and Bird were with the ball, the mantle of ball wizardry on the court that I SAW passed before my own eyes was from Pistol Pete Maravich to Isiah before going on to J Will and Steph and Kyrie today, just as Chris Broussard says here, hence helping to change the way the game is played forever, too, something media talking heads are too dense to appreciate today as a value of "greatness" in contribution to the game (and why Julius Erving should be included in all this nonsense about who was "the best ever!" if this conversation should be had at all, especailly since most of us agree it was MJ after all's said and done, thereby highlighting Isiah's achievements against him and his Bulls even more so). In short, a unique, original and extraordinary talent and yes, LEADER who deserves to be remembered as a mythical icon of this game, too, "up there" alongside the other all-time Greats. facebook.com/foxsports/videos/the-top-5-nba-handles-of-all-time/10156923944874552/
My first time watching Isiah Thomas, this guy was cold, he could definitely play today and be a serious problem. He has the rock on a string, has all the tricks as todays pg's, was fast, efficient and had a lights out jump shot. I don't know why people like Gilbert Arenas be disrespecting players from the 80's and 90's from what I see they had the same skill and game as today's players, they might even have more skill because they played defense and had to deal with more due to the rules.
You had to see Isiah to believe it. He would control entire playoff games, at 6'1" 180lbs. The other team would surge, Isiah would score 9 straight points and disrupt them. He would grab a loose ball, he would trap a player late in the clock and force a desperate shot. He would take a rebound away from a power forward. He was all over the court and an absolute nuisance on defense. His teams beat Magic, Bird, Jordan, Dominiqe, Ewing...all in the same years. Nasty? He simply greatly outplayed his coverage and won. Some people didn't like that e.g. fans in L.A., Boston, Chicago and New York. So Isiah was "nasty" because he won against their favorite teams and players. He also simply punished and humiliated Stockton and Jordan when they had to cover him. People should go back and look at the tapes and the stats. There is an old saying in Detroit. "Ball don't lie." Isiah was simply extraordinary on another level, even on another level of HOF caliber players.
Isiah Thomas was legendary from the time he was on the greatest McDonald's All American team ever to his championship Detroit days, he was the standard many teams tried to duplicate Example, the only NCAA champion to win all their tournament games by double figures was the 1981 Indiana Hoosiers. One of the greatest defensive teams of all time were the champion Bad Boys. The MOP and MVP of those title teams was none other than Isiah Thomas.
Greatest point guard of all time If we didnt get screwed over in 1988 with the “phantom foul” with kareem pistons would have been the first franchise to 3 peat. Used to give magic a run for his money in the finals 💯 great video.
@@ranholic5027 Indeed bro nba never gives the pistons credit every team in the 80’s played dirty they always just highlight the pistons probably cuz jordan couldnt get passed them until they put the flagrant foul in place to help jordan get passed them.
@@ranholic5027Imo some problems with your ring narrative- Lakers gave away the 84 championship as a gift, if not for that Ralph Sampson last second shot, 86 Lakers return to Finals & handle Celtics again, & that undefeated 11-0 Lakers squad heading into the 89 Finals was going to send the 42 yrs young Goat out with a ring with no AD in the low post to worry about & just that great Pistons 3 guard rotation alone doing the heavy lifting of scoring. Now if the Microwave & AD don't knock heads diving for a loose ball in the 87 semi finals, they finish off the Celtics & would have been a serious problem in the 87 Finals. And if during the 90-91 season, Zeke doesn't get hurt & has surgery on his wrist- limiting him to 49 games & team chemistry still not there in time for the playoffs- 3 peat all day long for the Bad Boys. Pistons front office fucked up the long term team chemistry as well by leaving Rick Mahorn unprotected during the expansion teams draft & never replacing his presence.
@@TheVillianBlackBeard I disagree with your " every time played dirty in the 80s" narrative. No, not every team. The Celtics were the dirtiest team of most of that decade by far. Danny Ainge was always trying to undercut some guard or forwards knees etc... until he finally ran into Sedale Threatt. The Pistons were a smart defensive team who got in players head first & made them feel it second. The veterans NBA mindset then was one of " I might let you try to make the Sports Illustrated Cover with your shot attempt in October. But come the start of the 2 nd season in April/May- it's a hard foul every time you're driving to the basket. " What made the Pistons so called ' Jordan Rules' worked to perfection for about 5+ years was the fact that MJ didn't trust his teammates- which the Pistons were smart & physical enough to take full advantage on that still unspoken fact. You want to go 1 on 5? Fine, we'll let Joe Dumars led you right into the inside belly of the beast & with you still not looking to kick the ball out, we will foul you hard & make you go shoot those 2 free throws. Every single time. Phil Jackson's then constant bitching to the league made the league start tinkering to what lack of defense communication you have in today's league now.
He changed his game as far as shooting less, sacrificed points/ highlights for getting others involved which helped their development, Joe D, Salley, Rodman all benefited from his sacrifices and playmaking. Sacrificed his popularity helping turn the pistons into the bad boys from 88-91 with two chips, it was no coincidence that his last all nba team was 87 before they made the finals and were at the height of their powers. Stockton stared making the all nba 1st or 2 me team when Isiah was that for 5 straight years but he turned a lot of people in the off and I think that’s one reason he was snubbed from the all nba teams in his finals and championship years from 88-90. His numbers were better than Stockton, KJ and other guards outside of MJ and Magic except assist and steals and his teams were winning the East or championships. He was easily a top 6 guard during those years for an all nba team imo. He was a winner high School, NCAA and the nba.
Dope video! Reminded everyone how dominant Isiah was. When had it going... He was just as dominant offensively as Bird and Jordan... Better scorer than Magic, no question.
@@oneadvocate9517 I already did the calculations before I even made the statement Isiah had a lot more games where he scored 30-40+ points than Magic. Isiah could turn on a switch and light you up. That's why he was so dynamic. Magic got into a groove and had big games. But Isiah could turn on the switch and outscore everybody in the game. Magic wasn't like that to the extent Isiah was. Isiah might have 6 points at half time and end the game with 30. Magic just wasn't that kind of of scorer. Few guys in the league are like that... especially in their day.
@@oneadvocate9517 And just barely, because Isiah had such a rough final season... For years Isiah had more 20 point, & 10 assists seasons than anybody not named Oscar Robertson. Now I don't know for sure, but Westbrook may have surpassed Zeke and Oscar on that list. And you're not considering the taller you are the easier it is to score. Magic was taller than every guard he was matched up against... he was taller than 80% of the league. Zeke was smaller than 90% of the league but dominated like a giant. Way different skillset... Anthony Davis, and Tim Duncan excel at the 4, because they really are 5's playing the 4. That's why they are so dominant. Smae advantage with Magic, but even way more pronounced.
you really think hes greater than steph curry? even though the game has evolved and he changed it? cmon bruh curry is way more valuable he breaks down a defense without even having the ball
@@TElias5 steph is not a little man technically and yes you could make an argument for Isiah being better than Steph, when Steph won his 2nd and 3rd ring it was largely because of KD, Isiah was clearly the best player on all his championship teams
1979 McDonald's All American Game, winning team led by Isiah Thomas. 1979 gold medal game in Pan AM Games, MVP, Isiah Thomas. 1981 Midwest Regionals MOP, Isiah Thomas. 1981 Final Four MOP, Isiah Thomas 1984 NBA All Star Game MVP, Isiah Thomas. 1986 NBA All Star Game MVP, Isiah Thomas. 1990 NBA Finals MVP, Isiah Thomas. He was the MVP of the 1979 Gold Medal game as a graduated high school player He won multiple MOP Awards as a college player He won multiple MVP Awards as a NBA player . GREATNESS!
Young ball players can learn a lot from Zeeke especially when it comes to his ball handling ability. One of the purest ball handlers you'll ever see.
thats a fact
Zeeke & Rode Strickland
Zeke is like jazz with the ball
Kyrie the best
Hear hear
Lowkey had one of the best shooting forms in nba history
Glen Rice had the same stroke……. SMOOOOOOTH AS HELL.
Agreed. Lots of guys have great form when they’re shooting off the pass. This guy had smooth shooting form coming off the dribble. He was always in control of his body and his shot.
I didn't know he had a solid pull up game he moved up a few spots on my all time list.🤯
@@trollsworstnightmare3769MAN ISIAH WAS GREAT!!! KEEP WATCHING HIS OLD HIGHLIGHTS HE WAS STEPH BUT ALOT TOUGHER IF 3's were the thing then he would of perfected his down town Judy brown an Steph would of been nothing new at today!! Fr But I luv Steph he great tho ..
Ray Allen
Love IT. He's slept on. Undersized guard who had crazy handles for his time and insane playmaking ability. He could give you buckets too. Easily one of the 5 best point guards of all-time. You should do his 84-85' season where he averaged 21 and 13.
Probably not enough footage
Yeah bruh.. the years before they had got defensive minded, and added the like of Joe D, Worm, and Spider Salley etc.. I believe were Zeke's best years. When kiki Vandeweghe was his running mate. And they just gave you buckets in bunches.
@@araynova KELLY TRIPUKA WAS ZEKE ' S RUNNING MATE . KIKI WAS PLAYING WITH DENVER , PORTLAND , NEW YORK OR THE LAC . ISAIH'S BEST YEARS WAS BEFORE JOE DUMARS ARRIVED . ISAIH WENT 20 PTS AND 10 ASSIST 4 STRAIGHT YEARS . ONLY 2ND TO OSCAR ROBERTSON'S 5 TOTAL . MAGIC JONHSON AND. KEVIN JOHNSON DID IT 3 TIMES . MOST DON'T THIS ONCE , LET. ALONE. MULTIPLE. TIMES . JOHN STOCKTON NEVER DID THIS. AND JOHN NEVER AVERAGED 20 PTS. FOR A SEASON . BUT , PEOPLE WANT TO JOHN AHEAD OF ISAIH . WHICH I VERY MUCH DISAGREE WITH .>🎤
@@GABEMOORE533 thanks bruh.. soon as you said Mr.Kelly's name.. I was like, "Where in the F--- did I get Kiki Vandeweghe name from?!". Maybe it was because of that alltime NBA highest scoring game they had back in the day.. but yes. Zeke is rarely mentioned in the pantheon, of alltime great PGs. And I also believe by Zeke being left off the Dream Team, kinda causes people to forget, how a great of a player he was, during his era. Wasn't James Long another great player, off those early defenseless Pistons' teams gang?
How is he slept on??? Not at all!
The most impressive thing to me about Isiah was his play style. He would play a quiet game if it meant they were winning. But when he felt like offense was needed, he just took over. He had a different mindset every quarter. And they won a lot of games because of it.
Yes. Yes. Yes. 🤝🤝🤝
He would beat Jordan, Bird, Magic....with a rebound, a trap, a pass, a bucket, an assist...and he would do it in the clutch. He would take over entire playoff games against ANYBODY. Celtics are my team but Thomas is my player.
@@lurking0death would he lead both finals teams in points,assist, steals, blocks, AND rebounds like Bron or no? 😢
isiah played chess basket ball
@@moneymoney3235 Isiah did it at six feet. I would never compare the two.
Isiah Thomas was in the top 10 NBA players ever to lace up a pair of sneakers. EVER! If you watched him in Detroit you know he was superb on another level...and at 6'1".
Best point guard I’ve ever seen play. Immaculate shooting stroke. Huge bag. Either hand. Floaters, runners, hooks. Outside, inside. Off the dribble or catch and shoot. Go left or right. Never carried. Never walked. Drove the lane. Midrange pull up jumper was $. So quick. Hops and a huge motor. All the while dropping dimes, setting hard, hard screens and fighting for rebounds. Tenacious defender. Then the intangibles: unquestioned leader of his team on both ends of the floor. Dragged the franchise out of the gutter to back to back championships. Not only played hurt but played great hurt. Nobody wanted to win more than Zeke. When they first said it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in the dog they were talking about Isaiah Thomas. He could and would fight you.
All facts. He's the best pg ever. No flaws in his game
That's the real reason Jordan doesn't like Zeke, he gave him buckets!🤣🤣. And lots of em, he even stripped him! Yeah that would make someone like Mike, not like him.🤣
Zeke crossed the shit out of MJ 🤣 8:45
He did, but that was Mike forcing him off the 3 point line.
@@adgee5401 no it was not lol
@@adgee5401 Man stop coming with excuses.! Zeke crossed MJ several times when they played. Just like MJ got his.
What Are you talking about?
Nice!!!!🤝🤝🤝
My All Time Favorite Player! Controls The Court Like A Chess Board.
Man as a true hooper/lover I love it
As a basketball super fan from Detroit you’re a legend for this 🔥🙏🏽
Yep
Isiah Thomas was NOT ahead of his time; Isiah Thomas was 'The TIME'... the Pistons were 'THE TIME' and they have an era, time, culture, and framework that is the resource for championship formula for ages -- that's what Isiah Lord Thomas III established in professional basketball. All of those Pistons: Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Vinnie Johnson, John Salley, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Mark Aguirre, James Edwards, and Rick Mahorn all have their own standard, culture, and legacy because that team and those players and coaches were trend-setters whom EVERYONE hated that was not a Pistons fan. The league HATED the Detroit Pistons and this is why they NEVER show those guys and that team destroying Jordan. The Detroit Pistons from 1989 and 1990 and even before, mentally broke the NBA.
Even more telling is that I think they only have 3 hall of famers from their group and only Isiah made it on the 75 team
@@tonydemasso3691 Well Rodman made it on the 75 team but in '97, it was just Thomas; still pissed Dumars didn't make the 75 but Harden who could not and cannot perform made it and Pippen made it as a second-tier player who was NEVER MVP of the Finals like Dumars and could never come through in big moments for his team as Dumars did for his team.
Preach. Zeke and crew are the most underrated NBA champs ever. Who else best Bird, Magic & MJ? Nobody but the Bad Boys.
@@ericcleve4447 Exactly... I always say: Isiah Thomas 3, Michael Jordan 1, the one Jordan got Thomas was hurt and the Pistons let that sweep happen to make sure players had more financial benefits through Jordan becoming a global icon, remember, Jordan is 'money' Aguirre, Laimbeer, and Thomas are from Chicago and Isiah was the President of the Player's Association and salaries, bonuses, pensions, and TV revenue went up due to Thomas' negotiations in the 90's...plus, what's the obvious that happened? The Pistons broke up their championship team by not re-signing Vinnie Johnson and James Edwards. So that's obvious, change the competition to help the Bulls. So now what?... The NBA has to create a new foe, the Bad Boy Knicks/The New York Bad Boys - HAHAHA! With Jordan's friends, Ewing and Oakley and Pat Riley replaces Chuck Daly -- that was a complete joke.
Lol they were hated because they were assholes. It wasn’t like hating a rivalry, it was hating a team that deserved to be hated.
As a Michigan native, thank you
@5:17 the way he deftly threw that elbow and disguised it as defensive protection was smooth af
Dam
About time i see a isiah thomas highlight reel from the bigger named RUclips channel...Long overdue and glad that someone decided to put respect in that man name
Man i used to say as a kid Isiah was one off the best and till this day he was my top 5 point guards till this day facts.
No, he's a TOP PLAYER, not just a point guard.
He was doing that during the era where defense is more physical, 7 footers camping the paint in defense, ball carry are strictly called, 3 steps also strictly called and illegal screens are strictly called as well.
Top-5 PG of all time, no argument.
He's a TOP PLAYER EVER, not just a point guard
GOAT SZN Zeke he’s a damn legend
Yep👊👊👊👊
As a laker fan i hate the pistons but Isaiah Thomas highlights are filthy. Looking forward to this
This is actually pretty lame, check out "100 Isiah Thomas highlights", that's WAY better!
The greatest little man to ever play! And it ain't even close.
Not. Close. 🤝🤝🤝🤝
Yea I think you have to say that. Only little guy to lead his team to the title as the best player, and in the middle of Bird Magic era
I agree. Steph is a greater shooter but not half the overall player offensively or defensively and Iverson was perhaps more talented but not half the responsible and trustworthy leader. IDK about not close, but clearly ahead.
2nd best point guard of all time. Elite offense, passing, and a good defender.
Fuck no
@@jalemjones9743 fuck yes
Agreed
@@jalemjones9743 yeah he’s number 2 behind magic.. currys defense and passing keeps him behind Isaiah for me n curry has always been a complete failure in playoffs in clutch moments
@@TheSands83 what about now curry just won another ring and fmvp???🐐🐐🐐🐐
Would be dope if you could get his 1985 season when he averaged 21ppg 13.9 assist
ZEKE IS THE 2ND BEST POINT GUARD EVER IN THE MODERN NBA . IT IS THE BEST LITTLE MAN EVER .>🎤
Steph is number 2
Who's #1?
@@wm.p.2348 David Stern
Isiah is #1!!!
@@wm.p.2348 magic
My favorite player of all time. He's in the conversation with the most skilled players ever. If he wuz 6'6 he could've been the 🐐
6'9 Magic vs. 6'6 Isiah would've been fun.
He wouldn’t have the same skill set at 6 foot 6
Pound for pound. Best ever. ☀️☀️☀️☀️
People don't understand that Zeke once went through Bird, Jordan, and Magic in their primes to win a championship. Again, he defeated Jordan, Bird, and Magic to win a championship. I'm 41 so I know the most vicious killers I've ever witnessed in the NBA are Mamba, Jordan, Bird, Iverson, and Zeke. Zeke has this cherubic smile but beneath that facade is the most vicious killer to ever come out of the bloody and merciless streets of the Westside of Chicago. I remember from 88 to 91, it was basically he and Jordan battling for NBA supremacy. Side note: Zeke is one of the few players to have a winning record against Jordan which is one of the reasons they don't fuck with each other, MJ hated the fact he couldn't beat Zeke how he wanted to and Zeke HATED the fact MJ was getting Chicago love in his hometown! LOL #IsiahLordThomas #BadBoys #DetroitBasketball #WestChi #Gangsta
I’m forty so of the same generation and mindset. Jordan hated Zeke because they are one and the same. Look at those highlights, very similar killer attitudes. Zeke just happened to be about a half foot shorter.
Jordan wasn’t in his prime at all. BUT your point is pretty much still the same. The dude is one of the goats
@@quinntonexecute #FactCheck Jordan was indeed in his prime. Your prime starts when you're typically 25 and they peak around 27 to 29 and then typically decline after 35. From 1988 to 91 Jordan was aged 25 to 28 during those years. However, we didn't get to see Jordan at the "peak" of his prime athletically be he retired at age 29 and didn't come back until he was 31, but then he has to rebuild his body to get into basketball shape after training to be a baseball player.
@@quinntonexecute …Jordan was in his prime … Pippen and the others weren’t and he still needed Phil Jackson. Once MJ and his teammates clicked they as history shows unbeatable.
It helped that the mileage on the Pistons took a toll, Boston and LA were older, and all 3 saw their talent gutted. The rule changes to protect the player with the ball also helped.
But these factors only slightly helped. Even at full strength and in their prime. I don’t think any of those 3 teams could have beaten the 90s Bulls.
@@mikehamm45 he wasn’t at all.
ITS...ABOUT...DAMN...TIME! Another goat szn. Finally!!!
Damn imagine if he played in this era of space and drop coverage he’d be like 25,11 a night💀💯
He could always drop at least 27 but he sacrificed some of his scoring to win.
No he would not chill
@@ceionteperry6535 you right he would prolly be doing better😂 30,11 a night with the threes they shooting now
He was doing 22 and 14 then.
30 and 15-17 maybe 30/20
This gonna be 🔥
We needed this bro
I have Isiah as #1 point guard all time. Those handles 😮
Was James Silas, tiny Archibald,
Freddie lewis
you drunk
IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE LETS GOOOOOOOOOOO
My fav player of all time and i grew upnin chicago during Jordan rivalry
Zeke is kinda cursed for being the archenemy of black Jesus, but you can't deny the talent, the fight, the greatness. One of the absolute best.
Smart. Reply. 🤝🤝🤝
also he was, quite probably, the less scummiest person on a team of, well, scumbags
lots of stuff proving that, just do your research
and so skillful and finesse-based himsele
an interesting character in the world of NBA, for sure
He's a top 5 PG ever. Arguably even better
Top 2
@@donovanpitts6907 top 4
Jordan has him right behind magic
Top 2 ain’t he ain’t 2
Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Oscar Robertson and John Stockton. The 4 best point guards ever.
Been waiting for this 🔥
thanks for the upload! isiah thomas one of the point GODS
I love how everyone was “ahead of their time” 😂ppl didn’t just start hoopin
Never realized how similar offensively him and Kyrie were
Week is better doe
Zeke was cold. This is when you really had to be a hooper to step on the court... Feel Me !!!!......
I'm a Magic Johnson/James Worthy/Kareem fan from the old school Lakers, but when they played the Pistons and Isiah, deep inside I always rooted for Isiah. What he did to get to the NBA earned him a mini movie. I remake needs to be made.
Isiah was the third-best player of the '80s, behind Magic and Bird. A legend.
Was not better than Moses Malone.
@@handlebucket6285 moses who ?
@@herchelleonwood7463 Moses Malone was pretty damn good to be honest, how do you not know him wtf lol
he's better than magic, please.
@@nunyabiz1780 ?????? Lol??
Thank you for this important video. Lots of folks trying to erase Zeke from NBA history.
*Led a team that beaten Michael Jordan's Bulls, Larry Bird's Celtics, and Magic Johnson's Lakers ALL in one year.*
Most say that AI is the best small guard ever but its either Thomas or Stockton. I give the edge to Thomas. Two rings. Should've been 3. Definitely deserved to get 1 season MVP.
Isiah. Light years ahead of everyone. Look at the highlights
Stockton no where near zeke or iverson stop it
john never finished top 3 in mvp voting AI was an mvp.
He was so good at PG. Greatest skills to play for the Pistons.
my favorite player ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER. This man was so far ahead of his time and one of the OG's of the crossover
Greatest clip channel of all time!!!!
Love the greats getting their shine! Keep up the videos
What is hardly ever mentioned is how Isiah used to abused taller guards and forwards off the dribble and in the paint.
I never once saw 6-9 Magic Johnson block a shot by 6-1 Isiah Thomas.
In fact, I never saw 6-7 DPOY winner Michael Cooper do it either.
Can’t wait for this
I don't think that most average fans realize just how talented Zeke was. I don't think I did, and I watched this team in my youth. What could he have accomplished in today's era of basketball that plays very weak defense.His toughness, ability to go to the rack at will. Would be something to behold.
Love to see my man Zeke finally getting some appreciation! Best point of all time
No wonder why Jordan and others hate zeeke to this day
I can still hear George Blaha...with a scoop and a score!
How is this possible at 5'9? Hes was supernaturally overpowering bigger guys as a skinny pg. So underrated
6”1
Mf'ers don't even know what they are watching. Isiah had absolutely no fear of anybody on a basketball court. Nobody.
@@Scott-px6mi def not 6 foot without shoes
I will tell ANYONE, show me where Magic Johnson off the dribble took folks 94 feet consistently to score from the three point line, jumpers in the paint, driving layups or slick passes against players as quick as him or even taller.
Magic Johnson didn't have the one on one skills that Isiah Thomas possessed .
Magic had incredible talent on all his teams and never had to do the things Isiah had to do to make his franchise great.
The subtle but hard elbow he hits Ehlo with at 5:18 as he drove by him is sneaky as hell. Ehlo felt it too.
Detriot loves you man, you gave us the championship like a G with the whole crew. I heard the commentator saying "they're going to have to stop the penitration" 😂😂😂😂😂
I see a lot of Tony Parker watching these highlights.... Another slept on guard that was a flat out winner!
Been saying Isiah was a better player than Ai for years
Fax Ai overrated
Hell naw. IT is close to average size of a pg at 6’1 AI is an undersized shooting guard at 5’11 with handles and athleticism. IT is still good tho.
@@mr.daniel2000 Isiah was more clutch, better defender, better plamaker, better leader, and was just as tough mentally as AI. Love Iverson but I would take IT if I want to win a championship.
@@mr.daniel2000 Isiah Has Handles to Wym… athletic only get u so far… Your comparing Ai to someone whose a 2x Champion… And Zeke did something Ai couldn’t he Beat Magic, Bird and Mj in the playoffs Ai had one crossover and still lost that game😂
Hope this includes some Indiana highlights, Zeke lead teams to championships at every level.
Wow the amount of spacing they gave him.
Stephen curry would be accused of witchcraft if he had this spacing in this era.
Isiah is VASTLY underrated today as one of the GREATEST players ever to play the game. Partly 1) because of the media bias against him over his disputes with the worshipped Jordan (Thomas having stopped him even more than Bird and Magic in the 80's), partly 2) because of the Stephan A. machoistic small-minded mindset in sports media today on the number of rings as a qualifier of great players which thinks that two (had a third stolen from him by a bad NBA referee's call) championships are "not enough" (as if basketball is still not a team sport with people winning who would never have on other franchises and even then, when giants of the game with some of the best players and resources of their time at their disposal and with multiple chances at winning championships like Wilt and Jerry West only won ONE ring each and even then ONLY when they were together!), and partly 3) due to the unconscious assumption that as a small point guard, there is no way he could have dominated any of the other "Goat" candidates, other all-time great teams or even the era he played in, but they're wrong because that's exactly what he and his possibly-greatest-defensive-team-of-all-time Pistons did (see Michael Jordan 1987-1990)! Lastly, as an older fan with a love of basketball handling skills and knowing how great Magic and Bird were with the ball, the mantle of ball wizardry on the court that I SAW passed before my own eyes was from Pistol Pete Maravich to Isiah before going on to J Will and Steph and Kyrie today, just as Chris Broussard says here, hence helping to change the way the game is played forever, too, something media talking heads are too dense to appreciate today as a value of "greatness" in contribution to the game (and why Julius Erving should be included in all this nonsense about who was "the best ever!" if this conversation should be had at all, especailly since most of us agree it was MJ after all's said and done, thereby highlighting Isiah's achievements against him and his Bulls even more so). In short, a unique, original and extraordinary talent and yes, LEADER who deserves to be remembered as a mythical icon of this game, too, "up there" alongside the other all-time Greats. facebook.com/foxsports/videos/the-top-5-nba-handles-of-all-time/10156923944874552/
Holy crap. Thank u. 🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝
Stacey Augmon, Mahmoud Abdul Rauf, Latrell Spreewell, Stephon Marbury... 😃
POR FIN GRACIAS BRO ❤️ ERES EL MEJOR ME ENCANTAN TUS VÍDEOS 👍🏼👌🏼🔥
His running one handed shots are so smooth.
so cool seeing Sal, too...love that guy! 🫡
Isiah was superb.
My first time watching Isiah Thomas, this guy was cold, he could definitely play today and be a serious problem. He has the rock on a string, has all the tricks as todays pg's, was fast, efficient and had a lights out jump shot. I don't know why people like Gilbert Arenas be disrespecting players from the 80's and 90's from what I see they had the same skill and game as today's players, they might even have more skill because they played defense and had to deal with more due to the rules.
Michael Jordan was so mystical that Isaiah Thomas never beat Michael Jordan.
You had to see Isiah to believe it. He would control entire playoff games, at 6'1" 180lbs. The other team would surge, Isiah would score 9 straight points and disrupt them. He would grab a loose ball, he would trap a player late in the clock and force a desperate shot. He would take a rebound away from a power forward. He was all over the court and an absolute nuisance on defense. His teams beat Magic, Bird, Jordan, Dominiqe, Ewing...all in the same years. Nasty? He simply greatly outplayed his coverage and won. Some people didn't like that e.g. fans in L.A., Boston, Chicago and New York. So Isiah was "nasty" because he won against their favorite teams and players. He also simply punished and humiliated Stockton and Jordan when they had to cover him. People should go back and look at the tapes and the stats. There is an old saying in Detroit. "Ball don't lie." Isiah was simply extraordinary on another level, even on another level of HOF caliber players.
Isiah Thomas was legendary from the time he was on the greatest McDonald's All American team ever to his championship Detroit days, he was the standard many teams tried to duplicate
Example, the only NCAA champion to win all their tournament games by double figures was the 1981 Indiana Hoosiers.
One of the greatest defensive teams of all time were the champion Bad Boys.
The MOP and MVP of those title teams was none other than Isiah Thomas.
This man was a basketball genius. Poetry in motion.
Amazing!
Great work again. Hated the Pistons..... but Zeke was the truth!!!
A legend.
My 2 favorite players of all time are Isiah Thomas and Shawn Kemp. They share that spot equally for me.
The very best, for sure. Everything a Point Guard is supposed to be
Make Larry Johnson 92 93 season GOAT SNZ please
Hell yes LJ was amazing even on his Knicks days as the co-captain he got work done
Also Lebron 06-07 season if you can find more regular season footage
Greatest point guard of all time If we didnt get screwed over in 1988 with the “phantom foul” with kareem pistons would have been the first franchise to 3 peat. Used to give magic a run for his money in the finals 💯 great video.
Imagine Isiah having 3 rings and the 1st 3peat since 60s Boston and Magic having only 4rings wow the narrative will be soo different..
@@ranholic5027 Indeed bro nba never gives the pistons credit every team in the 80’s played dirty they always just highlight the pistons probably cuz jordan couldnt get passed them until they put the flagrant foul in place to help jordan get passed them.
Regardless the flagrant addition was needed. Today's game is soft serve bitchleague but it was a bit much then.
@@ranholic5027Imo some problems with your ring narrative- Lakers gave away the 84 championship as a gift, if not for that Ralph Sampson last second shot, 86 Lakers return to Finals & handle Celtics again, & that undefeated 11-0 Lakers squad heading into the 89 Finals was going to send the 42 yrs young Goat out with a ring with no AD in the low post to worry about & just that great Pistons 3 guard rotation alone doing the heavy lifting of scoring. Now if the Microwave & AD don't knock heads diving for a loose ball in the 87 semi finals, they finish off the Celtics & would have been a serious problem in the 87 Finals. And if during the 90-91 season, Zeke doesn't get hurt & has surgery on his wrist- limiting him to 49 games & team chemistry still not there in time for the playoffs- 3 peat all day long for the Bad Boys. Pistons front office fucked up the long term team chemistry as well by leaving Rick Mahorn unprotected during the expansion teams draft & never replacing his presence.
@@TheVillianBlackBeard I disagree with your " every time played dirty in the 80s" narrative. No, not every team. The Celtics were the dirtiest team of most of that decade by far. Danny Ainge was always trying to undercut some guard or forwards knees etc... until he finally ran into Sedale Threatt. The Pistons were a smart defensive team who got in players head first & made them feel it second. The veterans NBA mindset then was one of " I might let you try to make the Sports Illustrated Cover with your shot attempt in October. But come the start of the 2 nd season in April/May- it's a hard foul every time you're driving to the basket. " What made the Pistons so called ' Jordan Rules' worked to perfection for about 5+ years was the fact that MJ didn't trust his teammates- which the Pistons were smart & physical enough to take full advantage on that still unspoken fact. You want to go 1 on 5? Fine, we'll let Joe Dumars led you right into the inside belly of the beast & with you still not looking to kick the ball out, we will foul you hard & make you go shoot those 2 free throws. Every single time. Phil Jackson's then constant bitching to the league made the league start tinkering to what lack of defense communication you have in today's league now.
Big pioneer. You can see the blueprints of todays guards game in his.
My boy Zeke...🐐
He was like a combo of Stockton and iverson
Yep with two Chips
He changed his game as far as shooting less, sacrificed points/ highlights for getting others involved which helped their development, Joe D, Salley, Rodman all benefited from his sacrifices and playmaking. Sacrificed his popularity helping turn the pistons into the bad boys from 88-91 with two chips, it was no coincidence that his last all nba team was 87 before they made the finals and were at the height of their powers. Stockton stared making the all nba 1st or 2 me team when Isiah was that for 5 straight years but he turned a lot of people in the off and I think that’s one reason he was snubbed from the all nba teams in his finals and championship years from 88-90. His numbers were better than Stockton, KJ and other guards outside of MJ and Magic except assist and steals and his teams were winning the East or championships. He was easily a top 6 guard during those years for an all nba team imo. He was a winner high School, NCAA and the nba.
Isaiah Was so tuff
Isiah was energy, hard work, brain, skills, unselfish, leadership, fire and heart all put together.
You can't be dismissive of those 88-90 Pistons. They kept Jordan at bay three years in a row.
Dope video! Reminded everyone how dominant Isiah was. When had it going... He was just as dominant offensively as Bird and Jordan... Better scorer than Magic, no question.
Magic finished with a higher career scoring average though.
@@oneadvocate9517 I already did the calculations before I even made the statement Isiah had a lot more games where he scored 30-40+ points than Magic. Isiah could turn on a switch and light you up. That's why he was so dynamic. Magic got into a groove and had big games. But Isiah could turn on the switch and outscore everybody in the game. Magic wasn't like that to the extent Isiah was. Isiah might have 6 points at half time and end the game with 30. Magic just wasn't that kind of of scorer. Few guys in the league are like that... especially in their day.
@@oneadvocate9517 And just barely, because Isiah had such a rough final season... For years Isiah had more 20 point, & 10 assists seasons than anybody not named Oscar Robertson. Now I don't know for sure, but Westbrook may have surpassed Zeke and Oscar on that list. And you're not considering the taller you are the easier it is to score. Magic was taller than every guard he was matched up against... he was taller than 80% of the league. Zeke was smaller than 90% of the league but dominated like a giant. Way different skillset... Anthony Davis, and Tim Duncan excel at the 4, because they really are 5's playing the 4. That's why they are so dominant. Smae advantage with Magic, but even way more pronounced.
PEAK ISAIAH THOMAS#11(STATISTICALLY) IS 1984-1985 ISAIAH THOMAS#11 ..
Greatest little man in NBA history
you really think hes greater than steph curry? even though the game has evolved and he changed it? cmon bruh curry is way more valuable he breaks down a defense without even having the ball
@@TElias5 steph is not a little man technically and yes you could make an argument for Isiah being better than Steph, when Steph won his 2nd and 3rd ring it was largely because of KD, Isiah was clearly the best player on all his championship teams
@@TElias5 lol 6'3" isn't short
@@TElias5 Zeke way more clutch than Curry. Much better defense and passing, too. Holler when Curry shoot 68.8% from three in the finals.
1979 McDonald's All American Game, winning team led by Isiah Thomas.
1979 gold medal game in Pan AM Games, MVP, Isiah Thomas.
1981 Midwest Regionals MOP, Isiah Thomas.
1981 Final Four MOP, Isiah Thomas
1984 NBA All Star Game MVP, Isiah Thomas.
1986 NBA All Star Game MVP, Isiah Thomas.
1990 NBA Finals MVP, Isiah Thomas.
He was the MVP of the 1979 Gold Medal game as a graduated high school player
He won multiple MOP Awards as a college player
He won multiple MVP Awards as a NBA player .
GREATNESS!
Awesome!
Can't believe he used to punish the great Magic and Bird an a young Mike Zeke was unstoppable
LaMelo's a taller Isiah with bounce in his hops. Isiah has changed the Pistons culture in how basketball's presented.
Yayyyyyyy finally
Legend
But GRIDY BUSTARD JUST HAD A, GOOD DRIBBLING AND TOUCH.. BUT OF HE'S SELFISH TEAMS LOOSE A LOT OF POINTS..
simply the BEST
NO YOU DID NOT!!!!! NO YOU DIDNT !!!!!! Been waiting a couple years for this omfgg
Imagine if the Bulls drafted him. MJ at 2. Scottie at 3. Yeesh. Rodman later at 4. Zeek and MJ would have had 10 rings
I could watch Zeke all day.
So we ain’t gonna talk about how Zeke crossed up MJ?