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Isiah Thomas is a former professional basketball player and a prominent figure in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Here is an overview of his career and contributions to the sport:
Player Career:
1. College: Isiah Thomas played college basketball at Indiana University, where he helped lead the Indiana Hoosiers to an NCAA championship in 1981.
2. NBA Player: Thomas was selected as the 2nd overall pick in the first round of the 1981 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He went on to have a highly successful 13-year playing career in the NBA, all with the Detroit Pistons. Thomas was a dynamic point guard known for his exceptional ball-handling, playmaking ability, and leadership on the court.
3. Championships: Isiah Thomas was a crucial part of the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" era, leading the team to back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.
4. Accolades: Thomas was a 12-time NBA All-Star and earned numerous individual awards, including NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star Game MVP, and All-NBA Team selections. Named to the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Post-Playing Career:
1. Coaching: After retiring as a player, Isiah Thomas transitioned to coaching. He served as the head coach and an executive in the NBA, notably with the Indiana Pacers, where he had success, and later with the New York Knicks.
2. Executive Role: Thomas also took on executive roles, including serving as the President of Basketball Operations for the New York Knicks. His time in this role was marked by mixed success and controversy.
Isiah Thomas is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, and his impact on the Detroit Pistons and the league as a whole is significant. While he had a successful playing career, his post-playing career, especially his coaching and executive roles, was met with mixed results. He remains a prominent figure in the world of basketball.
Offered is Isiah Thomas’ 9 page original NBA rookie contract with the Detroit Pistons signed by Isiah Thomas and GM Jack McCloskey (D. 2017) (McCloskey played at Penn and then in the Eastern Professional Basketball League as well as the Philadelphia Warriors) before going into coaching with Penn, Wake Forest, L.A. Lakers (asst under Jerry West), and Portland Trailblazers. He then became GM of the Detroit Pistons from 1979-91 becoming known as Trader Jack which built the 1989 and 1990 Bad Boys of Detroit NBA Championship teams before finishing his professional career in the front offices of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors.
Additionally signed by 3 witnesses including: George James Andrews (Isiah’s agent) and Mary Thomas (Isiah’s mom). Stamped by NBA commissioner, Laurence F. O’Brien.
Included with the contract is a 3 page rider that lays out the details of Isiah’s first contract which covered his first 4 years in the league. Signed again by Isiah Thomas and GM Jack McCloskey. Stamped by NBA commissioner, Laurence F. O’Brien.
As a sweet bonus is the original typed letter signed dated April 24, 1981 from Isiah Thomas to the NBA commissioner’s office signed by Thomas declaring his eligibility for the 1981 NBA NBA draft in which he would be drafted 2nd overall after Mark Aguirre.
*NOTE* NOT FOR SALE
Item: 13260
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