How Good Was Isiah Thomas Really?
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2019
- An evaluation of the career, legacy and talent of OG, Isiah Thomas
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#NBA #IsiahThomas #Pistons 
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1: Where do you rank Isiah among the Greatest Point Guards of all time?
2: Who would you like to see get a video next in the "How Good Was He Really?" series?
I.T. is probably one of the best point guard in nba history and one of the best little mans in sports history.
Top 3 point guards in my opinion:
1. Magic Johnson
2. Isaiah Thomas
3. Stephen Curry
Also can you do a how good video on ben Wallace tho?
Jonny Arnett -NBA RUclipsr A Kevin Garnett one would be good
Jonny Arnett -NBA RUclipsr some suggestions would be Brian Scalabrine, Latrell Sprewell, Kwame Brown, Mark Price, Kevin Johnson, Mitch Richmond, and Michael Redd
I'm a Pistons fan but I dont think Isaiah should make the top 10. He's somewhere in the teens.
Stockton, Curry, Magic, Oscar Robertson, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Jerry West, Iverson, Tim Hardaway, and Penny Hardaway would be my top 10
You left out a crucial Isiah Thomas fact: He's the only player in the hall of fame with a winning record against Jordan, Magic, and Bird.
Great point. should have included that
Facts!!!
💯FAX😤
This is true. It's also true that he caught the Jordan before he got his team built around him and the other two after their great runs were ending. There was a crack between the Celtics/Lakers glory days in the 80's and the Jordan era of the early 90's. The Pistons were the team to step up and own it.
And he should have been on the 1992 Dream Team! That was treason in my book leaving him off that team.
Thomas beat Bird Jordan and Magic all in the same playoffs
FACTS
@chase cross not true, Bird was in his prime between 83'-86' and Jordan was in his prime between 91'-93'. Isaiah Thomas have a good year in 1989, then Joe Dumars carry him in 1990. Isaiah Thomas was good, but it isn't like he was a Magic Johnson or something like that.
@@ivanarrache5154 , your wrong. Thomas was as great as any of the great players and Joe never carried him. Dumars played defense on the best scoring guard. Thomas carried the team offensively and he was a assist leader constantly.
@@sgbjr2000 well, that's your opinion. Mine is that Isiah Thomas was a pile of 💩
@@ivanarrache5154, true that's your opinion but you weren't even old enough to watch those games so my opinion is a fact. RUclips videos don't tell the whole story.
Isiah playing the Lakers on a sprain ankle was one of the most epic performances ever in basketball.
It was heroic and herculean!
But it rarely gets talked about
All that talk of Jordan Flu game. NOT EVEN CLOSE TO ISIAH ANKLE GAME. CLUTCH!!
No, it was THE greatest performance ever. Period. This dude was my idol, even if he's not a real good person.
and one of the most forgotten performances in basketball- sadly. It's never really talked about.
Anyone who never had the chance to actually watch the playoffs throughout the 80's will have a hard time understanding how great of a point gaurd he truly was.
most of us were born long after. i have heard of him, amazing player
I was born in 1984 so it's hard for me to understand..I grew up with the championship bulls
@@thetraveler9 Yeah well, Isiah was from Chicago too
I knew he was good. But realizing now his greatness. Just realized he's the only small guard to lead a champ team. And twice consecutive! 3 consecutive finals. Only HOFer with winning record against Bird, Magic, and Jordan. Beat all 3 of em in 89 title run. Wow!
It gets me mad the nba doesn’t talk about him more.
100%!
The nba blackballed him and the bad boys pistons and knicks from history.
immediamal coccinello jordan rules nigga
Lol I know
Because they played dirty... not technically, but dirty. They could never match the likes of other teams if they weren't trying to injure their players. He will always have an astrisk by his name in the league.
" True Champions don't have to seek the approval of others, they just go out and get the job done. "
You just described Michael Jordan. The GOAT. If this applied to Isaiah Thomas he wouldn't have cared being left out of the Dream Team.
Shawn Pysadee If MJ acted like the GOAT in 91-92 he wouldn’t have begged for Isiah to not be on the team. That was really weak from MJ. I’m 34 years old I saw all the MJ games and rooted for him but that was weak.
Shawn Pysadee he did beat mj for years 🤷🏽♂️
Big Facts 💯💯💯
Isiah was the best all around point guard he had it all, and he was supposed to been on that Dream team!
Isiah knew how to run a team. Best point guard ever . He could pass, shoot, play defense and take it to the rim. And his heart was huge.
Isiah ran the Pistons like a coach on the court. And to his credit, Chuck Daily knew he only wanted players that could mesh with Isiah on the team. That is basically why Tripuka, as great a scorer as he was, was expendable to the Pistons.
@@cdjhyoung And the same thing happened to Adrian Dantley! AD couldn't play with Zeke properly so Daly and Jack traded AD for Aguirre. Next thing you know, back-to-back chips!!
Whenever I see a picture of that famous dream team with Jordan, Pippin, Stockton, Malone, Bird, Magic, Drexler, Barkley, Robinson, Ewing etc... I see a group of guys that had just been punked by Isiah Thomas for the NBA Championship... Every single one of them... TWICE!
Having Pippen in there and not Isiah was ridiculous
@@gilbertstonecipher7601 U know why Thomas wasn’t selected
@@marqkuisphillip2295 cuz everyone Hated him
@@eesbeesvees I know that, I’m just saying that the other guy should know that also
No by the pistons. Not thomas. You take away dumars or laimbeer rodman and they don't win. It was there defense that won them rings. Not thomas offense.
isiah has a winning playoff record against Jordan, Magic and Bird.
The Bad Boys in 89 beat the Celtics, The Bulls and the Lakers in the same run.
Respect.
RoChede
How does Isiah have a winning playoff record aginst Magic and Bird?
He lost to Magic in 88, so they're even; He lost to Bird in 85 and 87.
Unless you are not counting overall platoff record, and just 89.
Sorry, I forgot about the 91 playoffs, so yes Isiah hasca winning record playoff record against Bird: 88,89,91.
@@winton3377 Exactly.
Isiah beat Bird and Jordan more than they beat him in the playoffs. (series and games).
Magic and Isiah are 1x1 (series), but The Lakers took 7 games to win in 88, and the Pistons took 4 games to win in 89... So Isiah has 7 wins against Magic, who has 4 wins against Isiah....
So yeah, he has a winning record against all of them. :)
Isiah and the Pistons deserves A LOT of respect.
Also let's not forget that the Pistons as a franchise are 2-1 against the Lakers in the Finals. How many franchises have a winning record against the Lakers in the Finals??? Also considering playing them more than once like the Bulls did.
As a 1980’s Laker fan this guy scared the shi* out of me
Same
That game Isiah dropped 16pts in the last 94 seconds against the Knicks in 84 was incredible. One of many times he took over games., He was the GOAT of point guards.
and it's amazing to me how I see top 10 PGs of all time and Stockton is usually ranked higher than Thomas. Stockton was NEVER able to do something like what Thomas did vs the Knicks.
He plays beautifully honestly. I’ve never seen players play like that.
Anyone who was a fan of basketball in the 80s should know how much of a badass IT was. Didn’t like him, but he was intimidating, even with his little frame
Respect dude. Respect. That's how he was, but there's no denying he was one of the best.
You do a great job of summarizing how great of a clutch player Isiah was. Until 1991, Jordan and the Bulls were dominated by the Pistons, especially in the playoffs. People forget how dominant the Detroit Bad Boys were over the Bulls. For a player known as the best in history, Jordan had his butt handed to him for about 7 years by Isiah and the Pistons.
What's your point? That happens to all superstars before they win
And wasn't 7yrs, what about Pistons losing to Celtics and Bird in the playoffs
it was 3 years not 7.
I love Jordan, BUT you couldn't have said it better...!
@Detroit Dawg!!! Dont forget They battled for six years to get to the finals.. I remember Bernard King knocked my pistons out of the playoffs.83'.. But we fought all the way to the top.. Didn't complain.. Not like Jordan. Only reason Chicago started winning is when Jordan learned how to pass the ball... Thomas was the truth 6'1" player giving them bums the business..
I love Isiah! The pride he brought to the city of Detroit during 88-90 was unprecedented! Trust me! I was at that first championship parade downtown and it was ALL love amongst everyone of all ages, races and gender! Very special!
Thomas was the man, I've always thought of him as one of the best ever. Maybe its because I was born in '84 and always thought of the 80s and 90s as a time when the NBA was flooded with talent. It was an amazing time to be a basketball fan.
Finally 👍👍👍
Ppl need to stop underrating him. He was a better ball handle than Magic and could pass just as good as him.
In fact, I have a question to ask. Is he the greatest ball handler ever? He is near the top unquestionably.
Preach!
#facts
You're probably right but Isiah scored first. You didn't see the showtime type play from Isiah until the all-star game.
@@mraims2plez Stop it!!! Zeek been showtime... IN GAME showtime, not just allstar games...
Dude. He was my favorite player as a kid. I remember him hobbling down the court just killing the competition! Great Vid!
Me too! Him and Larry, ironically.
Still is my all-time fav.
HE DESTROYED MY BULLS YEAR AFTER FREAKING YEAR!
>>> JORDAN BULLS
Love this video! It's also worth noting that Isiah was a stat sheet filler during the first half of his career, including his 20 ppg and 13 apg season that was mentioned in the video. His stats only decreased slightly in the 2nd half of his career because Chuck Daly built the Pistons into a defensive powerhouse, which slowed the tempo. Not only did he not complain, he fully supported this approach because team success and winning was always the most important thing to Zeke. Most of today's stars--maybe all--would pitch a fit if their coach asked them to sacrifice some personal stats for the sake of the team.
Keep in mind of the example the Red Wings offered from across town. Stevie Yzerman was a scoring machine in his first few years as a Red Wing. But the Wings were a so-so team and their record reflected that. Only after Bowman convinced Stevie to give up the puck and become the team Captain instead of its scoring threat did the Red Wings start going deep into the Stanley cups. It is the same process Chuck Daily convince Thomas to adopt. A player can pad his stats, or win, Isiah chose to win.
Isiah had the heart of a champion. I loved watching him take over when the game was on the line. He would hit a couple of three pointers in a row, then drive into the paint and score while drawing a foul the next time up. He was fearless. He would fly into a forest of big men and put up the ball while he was being fouled all over the place, and get it to go in. They didn't have an answer to his amazing skill set, so they beat the heck out of him. No wonder he had a short career. I loved to watch this basketball wizard play.
Thank you man this is my favorite all time PG. He gets overlooked for some reason
Emac2229 Mac because he is an asshole..
No. Because he was disliked for being an asshole..........
Who led a controversial bad boys Pistons team who beat all nba greats in an era where everyone wanted to see MAGIC, BIRD OR JORDAN!
nope, it's that he backed up what rodman said about bird saying that if bird was black he'd be just another good guy, he didn't make the comment but he backed up his teammate, now does that justify the rewriting of history? I say no but that's just me
Dre Murf 313 so mj not a jerk?? Y’all pick and choose who not to like. Like I hear people say they hate Lebron because he cocky, but they love Jordan and Kobe who are also cocky.
@@theronwright1413 uh oh you just opened pandora's box!!! not the truth serum...lol
Thank you. Seems like only people who lived in Michigan know these things.. But trust the Bad Boys are loved enough here to make up for the lack of love basketball wide. The whole squad was before it's time...3 sharp shooting interchangable guards, 2 young defensive dogs, a sweet shooting big man stretching the floor, 2 very good post players, and a defensive mind from 1 thru 9. Yes a solid 9 man rotation, go big, go small, shooting, defense, any lineup u need. And most of all...a truly fearless leader! #11 my fave player of all time!
Thanks for posting this. I roll my eyes anytime someone brings up Jordan's "flu game" and babbles about how so-called "heroic" it was. Isiah scoring 25 in one quarter on that bad ankle is as courageous a sports performance as any you can name. Even as a lifelong Lakers fan I had to take my hat off to Zeke. Criminally underrated.
I'm 36 and as a kid it was always 4 names in that late 80s/early 90s era: Magic Bird Thomas and Jordan.
ALMOST GOT CHOKED UP WATCHING THIS - I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS VIDEO!
I'M A BULLS LIFER; BUT ZEKE WILL ALWAYS BE
CHICAGO'S OWN!
LOVE HIM AND GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY!
I almost got choked up too because this brother right here was a true legend and beast on the court.
@Detroit Dawg!!! Loooool!!!
Its all good my brother i got a ton of people in Detroit, there is no hate at all.
@@tyronjamison1763 yes indeed, big family!! Here in the city!!
I did get choked up watching this. Those guys played hard as hell to win those titles. If your from The D.. You know what I mean. They backed each other the way a real team is supposed to. It was all that an much more.
@@dinomutt720 10-4!
Isiah Thomas with a broken leg put up a heroic performance in game 6 against Lakers in 88 finals in the 3rd quarter
They would've won that game AND the championship if not for some egregious home cooking by the refs.
That bogus 'phantom' foul call on Bill Laimbeer that sent Kareem to the line was awfully unjustified.
His leg was not broken..
Severe ankle sprain. That was a bs call for Kareem
Knock it off!! It wasn't broken jerk!!
It was Rodman that said the stuff about Bird, Zeke just took the heat for him. That's what an awesome teammate he was.
He was the greatest small player to ever play the game. The best classic style point guard. Magic was so unique that he broke the mold but if you where drawing up a point guard, it would look like Isaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas didn't say anything about Bird that was racist. It was Dennis Rodman who said it ( "... if Larry Bird was black he'd just be an average player") and Isaiah just backed his teammate. There's a difference.
And it WASN'T racist, just untrue...Bird was simultaneously an all-time great AND over-praised by the mostly white sports media of the '80s (in comparison to many great black players, like Isiah, playing in non-major markets). It was a RACIAL statement that Rodman made, not racist...
MiSTaH bOmBAsTiK if he was black he would be Paul pierce lol
slip satch not really . Played on a better team
slip satch Lebron kd and kawhi would destroy Larry. Larry has no all Nba defense selections
@roger johnson What part of my response prompted you to write this long-ass slob job on Larry Bird?!? I know who Larry Bird is. I LIVED through this era of B-Ball, go away...
Greatest player under 6' 2" ever. Great shooter, great passer and great defender. He had no weakness.
Sorry Allen Iverson gets that one my friend and it ain’t even close
@@jacbnimble6025 iverson great defender ?
stealing the ball isn’t just defending in basketball
@@jacbnimble6025 Allen Iverson was not a great shooter.
@@jacbnimble6025 IT is comfortably above Iverson
@@jacbnimble6025please!
Isiah Thomas led his college team to a national title.
Isiah Thomas led his NBA team to back to back titles.
Isiah Thomas would have killed AI.
The first time i watched him, i was so impressed with his uniqueness. He's the most admiring player for me. That's why my jersey was number 11 in our basketball tournament.
He was the best little man in the game ever ! He beat Bird, Magic & Mike to win championships ! Nuff said !
Excellent job! Isiah Thomas is simply the 🐐 of this "lil' man" stuff! *6ft & under. As a Bostonian- hated Pistons!..even ended up rooting for Magic\MJ against Isaiah. No matter- Zeke was...and is- the greatest PG[*not 6'8" and named Magic!] EVER!!!!
Thankyou for this video man !! Isiah Thomas bad boy reputation got him blackballed by many . But I do believe Isiah Thomas is the second greatest point guard of all time ! Glad you brought this to light 🙌🏽
Went to see him in 84 at the old cap center in Maryland, my brother and I were in the edge of our seats.! He put on such a performance. Wow
Great to give IT some recognition. He gets overlooked so much it's sad. DETROIT BAD BOYS!
Great, great, GREAT video. I totally forget that Game 6 game against the Lakers. The funny thing is that everything you said about Isiah's personality is true of Jordan. The media simply sweeps all that under the table.
Sorry! *Isiah
Not really. Jordan went after the good guy image and there were some things Isaiah did apologize for. Character matters, whether real or perceived.
It's all these stupid MJ fanboys that keep bringing up the stupid handshake.
I got MJ number 1, but seriously ya'll need to give the Bad Boys their damn respect.
Thanks for bringing this back. John Stockton was a great player, a really great player, but I think Isiah stands out. I kind of buried these memories behind my conviction that Isiah was the greatest small guard of all time. He was absolutely phenomenal. Seeing these clips brings back the memories of his incredible play. People have been making snide remarks about Isiah's smile, but for me it represented his love for the game. Great memories.
Nice
Unbelievable talent, the way he could handle the ball and being so small the fact that he was so dangerous and could score from anywhere. Legend!
Yep
6:34 is such a sweet pass.
Your dual-threat point was cool. Didn’t know the 20 and 13 thing
My favorite player of all time...I’m from Pontiac, MI where he played at the Pontiac Silverdome, and he was always around the city playing pick up ball at the community centers...I personally believe he is the best point guard ever, not to mention of the 50 greatest players ever he was the only one without a teammate on the list...simply the best!
Among the 50 greatest only Isiah, Hakeem and Walton have won championships without the help of another 50 greatest player ..and Isiah is the only one to do it twice. Isiah is also teh only little man in teh history of teh NBA that a team was built around that won championship without a dominant big man...Lambier, Salley, Rodman, Edwards were all good players..but not dominant like Kareem, Hakeem, Reed, Russel, Chamberlain, Shaq, Petit, Mikan, Embry,
Magic was really a combo player, could play all 5 positions and his true genius was facitating, his passing. For a true point guard Isiah was hands down the greatest of all time. As mentioned here he was clutch when it mattered most and tough as nails. Those Pistons teams were some of the best ever.
Nuff respect. Thanks for this video, it’s sad they never talk about one of the greatest players of all time. I loved Isaiah’s game , a true warrior he was. Legendary
I remember his triple-dipping (three consecutive very fast between the legs dribble) against Alvin Robertson (a very good defensive guard) in the All-Star game once and blowing by him for a lay-up. Made me want to learn to do that.
I used to run outside after them all star games and tried to do some moves he done in those games.
At a time in my youth when basketball was my everything Zeke was my favourite player.
So grateful to witness his awesomeness.
Thank you for making this video and I look forward to many more.
Cool
That was my favorite player growing up! Easily the second best PG of all time!!!
Glad to see someone give him the recognition he deserves, because normally recognition comes after the fact when someone is gone. Hate put aside. His talent couldn't be denied.
you hit it! he was my favorite player growing up ... i love how he was not a poster darling, true blue bad boy
Isiah was so good, nobody, but nobody wanted to play against him!
Nobody wanted to play with him.(DREAM TEAM)
SHYBA bcuz they knew the practices would be hell
Only player dirtier than Thomas is Lambieer.
@@candyxxv5834 what does that mean? They also didn't need him they already had the two best point guards.
@Fui Gebhardt1 or with him.
He's the pure PG GOAT. The court vision of Paul, leader of men like Magic, the scoring power of AI, the handles of Irving and the chips 🏆🏆pros🏆NCAA to back it up!
yea he's like CP3 and AI combined
Best point guard ever. Magic had all-time great teammates from the first time he set foot on an NBA court.
I agree. How is Magic better than him? Why did Magic win the 89 and 90 MVPs? Isiah was tougher than Magic.
He's on my personal Dream Team!
Isiah Thomas is by far the best all around point guard in NBA Histoy. ..
All other great point guards had a weakness or mediocre in certain areas. .Isaiah had no weakness or mediocre in his prime.
How would you rate Walt Frazier ?
Loved Isaiah but the Big O was 6"5 with no weaknesses
Magic 1 Big O 2 Isaiah 3 Walt Frazier 4 Cousey 5 Tiny Archaba 6 Earl Monroe 7 Dave Bing 8 Hal Greer 9 Stockton forgot him sorry anywhere after first 4
@Detroit Dawg!!! On point! You should repost this as a headliner! Seriously - repost it. People just don't know. He was a pocket rocket!
Hands down Isiah "ZEKE" Thomas is my absolute favorite ball player ever and the lack of respect and acknowledgement he has been shown from the league is damn right disgusting seeing all Isiah has done for them and the game itself! #89-90BADBOYSFORLIFE!
I'm sure "The Last Dance" documentary brought some new attention to Isiah Thomas. Modern journalists don't do him justice. Based solely on basketball merit, he belonged on the Dream Team and was a formidable competitor against the greats of his time.
Great video with some AMAZING footage--shooting, ballhandling, defense, passing, rebounding, dunking, never letting up on his intensity or his drive, he was a true playmaker! 20 ptspg and 13 assists per game?! Wow! I didn't even know that! Thanks for the work, Jonny!
Great video!!!!! Excellent perspective on the career of one of the greatest ever!!!!
He’s the greatest little point guard to ever play the game. He had the heart of a lion, and walked as if he were on the shoulders of giants.
If I could love this video more than 1 time I really would. Thank you so much for this one! Especially with that bulls-it Last Dance documentary going on right now.
His sprained ankle game is ranked higher than Jordan's flu game.
for sure!!!! and Jordan didn't have the flu he was food poisoned!!!
@ Marcus King ,different sport but you made me think of Ronnie Lott's fingertip game
Bitch please! The flu game was during *the freaking NBA finals*, not just 1st round
immediamal coccinello Well actually...
immediamal coccinello check your history. This was was the NBA finals. Last I checked the East can’t play the West until the finals....Pistons vs Lakers homie
You didn’t even mention how good of a defender he was!
Dumars was a better defender
True but zeek was good as well.
Thank you for this video. It’s sad he was left off the dream team.
Your analysis are spot on. Thank you for this wonderful channel.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE GAME OF BASKETBALL SERIOUSLY!!!!
One of the Greatest games I ever saw, Isaiah Thomas vs Bernard King ✊ another forgotten Legend.
great game, great duel
DUDE. That game was one of the best I ever saw. Folks forget about Bernard King. Filthy.
@@a2rons882 Bernard King ...highly underrated...one of the best small forwards in the 80's only second to Bird and Nique..yet he hardly ever gets mentioned
Was a great game the lead up was intense.
@@a2rons882 He should do a video on just how underrated Bernard King was.
Really great video! A lot of great points and insight. Definitely subscribing.
Great video. You hit the nail on the head.
Zeke is my favorite player of all time. He's right behind Magic in point guard ranking IMO. He was All-NBA First Team member in the era of Magic Johnson. That's huge. David Stern didn't care for the Pistons at all, and it shows (Bill Laimbeer would insinuate that's the reason why he never got a coaching job in the regular NBA. Instead, he was WNBA bound). You have one of the most talented teams of all time not necessarily forgotten, but not given their due. Thomas, Dumars, Rodman, Dantley are in the HOF plus you have a HOF coach in the late Chuck Daley. Zeke was an incredible player who played like a giant in the era of the big man. He was fierce, intelligent, and clutch. Thanks for the video BTW.
Yes, that Pistons team was great. And DEEP. I would have to say deeper (if not as much star power) than LA, Boston, Philly or the later Bulls. Top to bottom, about 1-8, they were very strong. Off the bench, Vinnie Johnson, James Edwards, Salley, Rodman (occasionally). Very tough to match that.
The greatest point guard of all times
@Devi Lisa Still, I think many fans underrate Joe D. He was a truly solid defender. He could guard 1 and 2's very well. As well as get his 20 ppg. Sorry, but Haywood doesn't belong. He was a HOF talent, but mostly only in his first 4-5 yrs only. He was always unhappy, forced trades, then became injury prone. The others were unquestionably deserving.
@Devi Lisa Anyhow, if Joe D wasn't the Pistons' best, he was a close to Isiah. Not Rodman, not Laimbeer. Whose games were more limited.
U forgot Sally worm the microwave oh shit who vfc was the white boy I cant remember his name
My first favorite player when I was young.
#11
Made my own jersey with a sharpie and a tank top.
IT was the man! Bad Boy 4 Life!
It was totally disrespectful to snub him from the Dream Team!!!
Should have never happened, this is the only things I don’t like about Scottie and MJ
Pound for Pound the greatest..1988 Finals with a busted ankle, damn.
I'm with you on the 25 point finals quarter with an injured ankle being absolutely the BEST. Zeke was amazing.
Isiah is the most underrated player in NBA history!!!!
For sure.
@Lord Beerus Garnett gets the credit he deserves. Thomas, I would agree, is a bit underrated.
IT,pippen, and Wilkins are my top 3 for underrated
@@Bloorgusgoorge sorry not pippen
FACTS!!!
Thanks for shining some light on Isiah & my Pistons!!
I grew up watching basketball in the 70s and 80s. You are right, Isiaih was a phenom. Nasty handles. NCAA champion as well. Good call; love your series.
Elite. You said it a couple of times, during the segment, and never was the word more appropriately applied.
That was Isiah Thomas' game---ELITE!
This was a great video, I think isiah is one of the most underrated nba legends
Thanks for making a video about “Zeke” one of my favorites.
This awesome! I love you for this
Yesss keep going on these series
You convinced me. Great work 👏
GREAT VIDEO. REAL TALENT. ZEKE IS THE TRUTH
Yes.. Finally the truth about a great player.
I was a witness to all that you brought to light. Detroit VS everyone. Love you Isaiah!!!!
You did a great job with this video and made great points.
I'm really falling in love with this channel. Basketball galore I love it!! Have you done Moses Malone? These youngsters have no idea how dominant he was, they don't even know he's a 3X MVP. He an Isiah is sadly overlooked. Especially on TV.
Ah Moses would make a GREAT video. I want to do his eventually, but it might be a bit. People have requested a lot of players, so I'm working my way down the list. Dennis Rodman is up next by popular demand
Also, I appreciate you supporting the channel! Its awesome to see supporters who share my passion for the game and its history. Plenty of videos on the way from all eras of Basketball :)
Also remember Thomas is the only player to beat Magic, Bird, and Jordan for championships.
I really like ur videos.. keeps me realize how great these players
Thanks Jonny for bringing back the memories of Isaiah Thomas NBA career. He was always one of my all time greatest player. Pound for pound, inch for inch, there is none better. He was far more talented and skilled than Magic. He made his teammates better and gave the Pistons a legacy. Michael Jordan had to go thru Isaiah in order to be called the GOAT!
Being a Detroiter, and witnessing the greatness of Isiah firsthand, I agree with your assessment in the video. I'm not going to piggyback on your analysis, but there are a couple of things I think I need to clarify, and they are off the court issues. First, Isiah categorically denies spreading the rumors about Magic Johnson when Magic came out and announced he was HIV positive. Isiah and Magic had been friends for along time, and I think Isiah and Magic know about each others preferences...heck, they were pecking each others cheeks before NBA Finals games they were so comfortable with each other, and in front of millions of viewers. So if Isiah said he didn't start the rumors, I believe him.
The second clarification is that Dennis Rodman made the statement about Larry Bird that had the racial overtones because of a question asked to him by a reporter. Dennis took the bait, which was dumb, and answered the question without giving the subject much thought. Isiah was later asked about what Rodman had said about Bird, and Isiah went along with Rodman's answer, which isn't right, and it got him in trouble as he tried to explain his thought process.
In my estimation on the court, Isiah Thomas is the 2nd best point guard in NBA History, and the best little point guard in NBA History. Everything he has accomplished on the basketball during his 12 year career says he is.
Great comment and I agree with you 100% Art.
Re: Bird comments, Isiah knew that Dennis was emotional, and likely made the comments in the heat of the moment. Isiah, being the captain, tried taking the brunt of the public criticism on his shoulders, trying to help Dennis. they even alluded to this in the Bad Boys 30 for 30.
Your absolutely right...I just want to ad ..the statement that Rodman made that Isiah repeated was not even a slight about Bird..they were referring to how the media described Birds play in comparison to other Black players...If you listen the broadcast Tom Heinsohn continously says how smart Bird was and how he was taking advantage of Rodman..which annoyed Rodman..so when Rodman was interviewed he was emotionally upset after a tough loss..wwhat would anyone expect..when they we're asking him queastions about how smart a player Bird was. In my opinion Rodman was right..and Zeke was just backing up his teammate as he should have...Zeke later made a statement to the Detroit Free Press that his point was that the media covers Bird like he's smarter than Black players...as if Black players come out the womb dribbling the ball because they're jsut just athletically gifted, and Whte players are smart..and Isiah was challenging that false narrative say..he had tostudy the game, and work jsut like White players..but the media hogs never covered that statement but I was in Detroit and I remember reading it
Celtics fan here but massive respect for IT. And agree on the racial thing. No one who listens to IT can think he is prejudiced against white players. Just listen to how much he praises Stockton and Mark Price.
@@richardmather1906 Rodmans statement which Isiah repated was misrepresented to create news..it wsn't even directed to Bird it was about how the media covers Bird in comparison to black players...He was maligned for challenging the media...Most people don;t know this but Larry Birds mom loved IT (big fan of his when he was at Indiana..), and has had him over to dinner with family including Larry on several occassions. Mark Price is so underrated..people hardly talk about him..should get more props
Bein A Detroiter I was Privy 2 His Amazing Play... He was Vilified Because He Took A Page Out Of tha Celtics & Lakers Physical Style Of Play & it Was A How Dare He Do That Attitude! B4 That He Was Admired Loved Adored! But No Matter What U Can't Knock BRILLANCE! THAT MAN WAS GREAT!
Preach!
The Lakers and Celtics we're just as physical as teh Pistons..where do you think they learned it..McHale almost ended Rambliss career when he closed lined him in the playoffs...never seen Detroit do anything as malicious as that
Great job well overdue you’re the man
Yes, keep going. I love your videos ... Especially, Dr. J.
First video I’ve ever seen that mentions the Ankle Game. Props.
Best video yet on Isiah. People look at me funny when I say he's #2 PG of all time. He was 2 bad calls away from winning 4 straight championships. "Prime Chris Paul on steroids" is spot-on accurate!
I love Magic, but I believe Isiah was better than him.
Thanks for this video. You're the real mvp
I love this channel 👊
One of the most underrated players of all time and it’s not right this man was one of the most talented and craftiest players of all time and DOES NOT GET THE CREDIT THAT HE IS DUE STOP HATING ON HIM!!!!!!!!!!
Please I'm soooooo tired of folks using the word overrated in the frickin wrong context overrated is for somebody who doesn't get accolades or rewarded for their accomplishments this is not the case first he won an NCAA championship as a sophomore was a all American then made the USA Olympic team from college but they didn't go because of protest won two all star mvps an all star for just about every year of his frickin career two time nba champion first ballot hall of famer dude please don't insult this dude by saying he was underrated also he was my idol growing up so I'm definitely bias
I meant underrated in the wrong context my fault but please don't insult his career like that
Plus he's on the NBA all time top 50 list
Anthony Taylor I’m not insulting his career just tired of him not getting the respect that he deserves by some ppl
Ask yourself; If he wasn't such a flat out beast, would MJ have hated him so much? Zeke was a monster! And there wasn't a damn thing anybody could do about it.
Zeke was the definition of “floor general” in a way that we’ve rarely seen at the PG spot since. Anyone who thinks Damian Lillard is something special REALLY needs to watch this clip and do some research on what a true championship caliber small fry PG looks like.
Zeke was the best little man of all time
👏👏👏
First time I watched one of your videos, I really enjoyed it. You have a new fan here.