Isiah Thomas, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was one of the NBA's best small guards. At 6-foot-1, 182-pounds, he brought scoring, passing and flair to the game and a willingness to attack the basket. An All-America at Indiana University, Thomas led the Hoosiers to a 47-17 record and the 1981 NCAA championship. He played 13 NBA seasons with the Detroit Pistons, 12 of which he was named an NBA All-Star, and was MVP of the 1984 and 1986 All-Star Games. He ranks as Detroit's all-time leading scorer (18,822, 19.2 ppg, 34th best in NBA history) and assist-holder (9,061). Thomas, named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, led the Pistons to the 1989 and 1990 NBA championship under Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly, and was named MVP of the 1990 Finals (27.6 ppg, 7.0 apg, 5.2 rpg). Thomas, the 1982 NBA Rookie of the Year, was named All NBA First-Team in 1984, 1985 and 1986 and Second-Team in 1983 and 1987. Thomas currently ranks fourth in NBA history in assists (9,061, 9.3 apg) and ninth in steals (1,861). He served as head coach of the NBA's Indiana Pacers for three seasons, compiling a 131-115 record and reaching the playoffs each of his three years. He was fired following the 2002-2003 season (August 27, 2003), with one-year remaining on his contract. Thomas posted a 131-115 record in three seasons and reached the NBA playoff in each of his three seasons. In his first two years with the Pacers, he compiled 41-41 and 42-40 records. In the 2002-2003 season his record was 48-34. On December 22, 2003, Thomas was named President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks. Within two weeks, Thomas had made three key personnel moves, releasing Clarence Weatherspoon and trading with the Phoenix Suns for guards Penny Hardaway and Stephon Marbury.
