History of Isiah Thomas in Timeline
Isiah Thomas, nicknamed "Zeke", is a celebrated former NBA point guard, primarily known for his tenure with the Detroit Pistons. A two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, Thomas earned 12 All-Star selections and five All-NBA Team nods. He led the league in assists in 1985 and secured two All-Star Game MVP awards. Recognized as one of basketball's all-time greats, he was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. Post-playing career, he transitioned into coaching roles with the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and FIU.
5 hours ago : Isiah Thomas' Health Concerns Spark Worry; Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Isiah Thomas' recent appearance raised health concerns among fans. He was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, solidifying his legacy. His contributions to the Detroit Pistons are also remembered.
April 30, 1961: Isiah Thomas Born
On April 30, 1961, Isiah Lord Thomas III was born. He is an American former professional basketball player and current analyst for NBA TV and Fox Sports.
1976: Gold Medal Series
In 1980, Isiah Thomas participated in the "Gold Medal Series", a series of games against NBA teams, a French team and the 1976 Olympic gold medal team in various U.S. cities, recording a 5–1 record (losing only to the Seattle SuperSonics).
1980: Big Ten Championship
In 1980, Isiah Thomas and Mike Woodson led the Indiana Hoosiers to the Big Ten championship and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
1980: Named All-American
In 1980, Isiah Thomas was named a consensus first-team All-American.
1981: NCAA Tournament Win
In 1981, Isiah Thomas and the Hoosiers won the NCAA tournament, earning the school's fourth national title. Thomas also earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award and made himself eligible for the upcoming NBA draft.
1981: NCAA Championship and NBA Draft
In 1981, Isiah Thomas led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA championship as a sophomore and declared for the NBA draft. He was then drafted by the Detroit Pistons as the second overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft.
1981: Drafted by the Detroit Pistons
In 1981, Isiah Thomas was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the second overall pick and signed a four-year, $1.6 million contract.
1981: Wins NCAA Championship
In 1981, Isiah Thomas won an NCAA championship with Indiana and was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
1982: NBA All-Star Game and All-Rookie Team Selection
In 1982, Isiah Thomas started for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game and made the All-Rookie Team.
1982: Playoff Appearance
In 1982, the pistons made their way to the playoffs
December 13, 1983: 47 Points and 17 Assists
On December 13, 1983, Isiah Thomas scored 47 points and recorded 17 assists during a 186–184 triple overtime win over the Denver Nuggets.
1984: NBA Playoffs Game 5 Loss
In the 1984 NBA playoffs, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons faced the New York Knicks. In the pivotal Game 5, Thomas scored 16 points in 94 seconds to force overtime, but fouled out, and the Knicks won.
1985: NBA Assist Leader
In 1985, Isiah Thomas became the NBA assist leader.
1985: Marriage to Lynn Kendall
In 1985, Isiah Thomas married Lynn Kendall, the daughter of a Secret Service agent and a nurse, at Our Lady of Sorrows. They met in the early 1980s while attending Indiana University.
1985: Paternity Lawsuit Filed
In 1985, two months before Isiah Thomas's marriage to Lynn Kendall, Jenni Dones filed a paternity lawsuit against him, alleging pregnancy from a relationship.
1985: All-Star Game Controversy
In the 1985 NBA All-Star Game, Isiah Thomas was on the Eastern Conference squad with Michael Jordan, who some veteran players were accused of trying to "freeze out" from the offense. Thomas has denied masterminding any such freeze-out.
1985: Conference Semifinals Loss
In the 1985 NBA playoffs, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons lost in a six game series to the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals.
1986: Birth of Child, Marc E. T. Dones
In 1986, Jenni Dones gave birth to Marc E. T. Dones, who was the child of Isiah Thomas and Jenni Dones.
1987: Graduates from Indiana University
In 1987, Isiah Thomas graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. degree.
1987: Larry Bird Comments
In 1987, Isiah Thomas was asked if he agreed with Dennis Rodman's comments that Larry Bird was overrated because he was white. Thomas said that if Bird was Black he "would be just another good guy." Thomas later said he was joking.
1987: Organizes "No Crime Day" in Detroit
In 1987, Isiah Thomas, then a Piston, organized the "No Crime Day" in Detroit, building on efforts from the summer of 1986 with Detroit Mayor Coleman Young to call for a moratorium on crime.
1987: Eastern Conference Finals Loss
In the 1987 NBA playoffs, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons faced the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. After a Celtics turnover with 5 seconds remaining and the Pistons clinging to a 1-point lead, Thomas attempted to quickly inbound the ball, Bird stole the pass and hit Dennis Johnson for the game-winning layup.
1988: Birth of Son, Joshua
In 1988, Isiah Thomas and Lynn Kendall had a son named Joshua.
1988: First Finals Appearance
In 1988, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons defeated the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals and advanced to their first NBA Finals in 32 years, facing the Los Angeles Lakers. Before the series, Thomas and Magic Johnson exchanged a courtside kiss on the cheek as a sign of their friendship.
1988: First NBA Championship
In 1988, Isiah Thomas led the "Bad Boys" to the 1988–89 NBA championships.
1988: Dominated Season Leading to Championship
In the 1988–89 season, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons achieved a 63–19 record, and defeated the Lakers in four games to win their first championship.
1989: Second NBA Championship
In 1989, Isiah Thomas led the "Bad Boys" to the 1989–90 NBA championships.
1989: Wins NBA Championship with Detroit
In 1989, Isiah Thomas won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons.
1989: Dominant Run as #1 Seed
In the 1989–90 season, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons finished as the #1 seed for the second straight year. They would advance to their third straight finals.
1990: Second Championship and Finals MVP
In 1990, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons repeated as NBA champions, defeating the Portland Trail Blazers. Thomas was voted NBA Finals Most Valuable Player of the 1990 NBA Finals, averaging 27.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game.
1990: Injuries and Handshake Incident
The 1990–91 season was a struggle for Isiah Thomas and the Pistons due to injuries, with Thomas playing only 49 games. In the last 7.9 seconds of Game 4, Thomas and most of his teammates walked off the court without shaking any of the Bulls' hands.
1991: Birth of Daughter, Lauren
In 1991, Isiah Thomas and Lynn Kendall had a daughter named Lauren.
1991: Eastern Conference Finals Loss and Walk-Off
In the 1991 NBA playoffs, Isiah Thomas and the Pistons were swept by the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. With 7.9 seconds remaining in the fourth game, Laimbeer organized a walk-out and Thomas and all of his teammates—except Joe Dumars and John Salley—walked off the court, refusing to shake hands with the Bulls.
1992: Dream Team Snub
In 1992, Isiah Thomas was passed over for the Dream Team apparently because of his strained relationship with Michael Jordan.
1992: Playoffs Elimination
In 1992, the Pistons made it to the playoffs, but were eliminated in five games by the New York Knicks in the first round.
1993: Missed Playoffs
In 1993, the Pistons won just 40 games, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1982–83 season.
April 19, 1994: Achilles Tendon Tear
On April 19, 1994, Isiah Thomas tore his Achilles tendon, leading to his retirement a month later.
1994: Part Owner and Executive VP of Toronto Raptors
In 1994, Isiah Thomas became part owner and executive vice president of the expansion Toronto Raptors.
1994: Retires from NBA
In 1994, Isiah Thomas retired as a player in the NBA, ranking third in league history with 9,061 assists and fifth in league history with 1,861 steals.
1994: Named to Dream Team II, but injury prevents play
In 1994, after Tim Hardaway left the team due to injury, Isiah Thomas was named to Dream Team II for the 1994 World Championship of Basketball, but did not play due to his Achilles tendon injury that eventually led to his retirement. He was replaced by Kevin Johnson.
1995: Additional Financial Support Obtained
In 1995, Jenni Dones obtained additional financial support from Isiah Thomas in a separate lawsuit.
February 1996: Jersey Retired by Pistons
In February 1996, the Detroit Pistons retired Isiah Thomas's jersey No. 11.
1996: Named to 50 Greatest Players in NBA History
In 1996, Isiah Thomas was named to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, selected on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the NBA.
1997: Guest Appearance on Due South
In 1997, Isiah Thomas appeared as himself in a basketball themed episode of the police procedural Due South (season 2, episode 13, titled "White Men Can't Jump to Conclusions").
1998: Founded Isiah.com
In 1998, Isiah Thomas founded Isiah.com, a company serving consumers, retailers, and corporations with online gift certificates and other i-commerce products. Isiah.com also had a partnership with the NBA store.
1998: Departure from Toronto Raptors
In 1998, Isiah Thomas left the Toronto Raptors organization after a dispute with new management over the franchise's direction and his future responsibilities.
1998: Jordan-led Chicago Bulls Championship
In the 1991 NBA playoffs, the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls would win the first of three consecutive, and six overall, NBA championships between 1991 and 1998.
1999: Purchased CBA
In 1999, Isiah Thomas purchased the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for $10 million.
July 20, 2000: Hired as Indiana Pacers Head Coach
On July 20, 2000, Isiah Thomas was hired as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, succeeding Larry Bird. Thomas focused on developing young talents, but the Pacers struggled to maintain their elite status during the transition.
2000: Hired as Indiana Pacers Head Coach
In 2000, Isiah Thomas became the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, which required him to sell his interest in the CBA due to NBA rules. The NBA offered to purchase the CBA from Thomas, but he declined, leading the NBA to create its own minor league.
2000: Hall of Fame Induction
In 2000, Isiah Thomas was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. From 2000 to 2012 he coached the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and FIU.
February 2001: CBA Forced into Bankruptcy
In February 2001, after Isiah Thomas placed the CBA into a blind trust, the league's funds depleted, leading to its bankruptcy and folding.
August 27, 2003: Fired as Pacers Head Coach
On August 27, 2003, Isiah Thomas was fired by Larry Bird, who had returned to the Indiana Pacers as president of basketball operations. Bird replaced Thomas with Rick Carlisle.
December 22, 2003: Hired as Knicks President of Basketball Operations
On December 22, 2003, Isiah Thomas was hired as the president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks.
2003: Pacers Eliminated in First Round of Playoffs
In 2003, Isiah Thomas's last year with the Pacers, he coached the Eastern Conference team at the NBA All-Star Game. Despite a 48-34 regular-season record, the Pacers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
2005: Knicks' High Payroll and Poor Record
By the end of the 2005-2006 season, the New York Knicks, under Isiah Thomas, had the highest payroll in the NBA but the second-worst record.
January 2006: Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Filed
In January 2006, Anucha Browne Sanders, a former New York Knicks executive, filed a lawsuit against The Madison Square Garden Company, alleging that Isiah Thomas sexually harassed her and that she was fired in retaliation for complaining about the harassment.
June 22, 2006: Named Knicks Head Coach
On June 22, 2006, Isiah Thomas was named the head coach of the New York Knicks by owner James Dolan after the firing of Larry Brown. His performance was to be evaluated for "evident progress."
2007: Trade During NBA Draft
During the 2007 NBA draft, Isiah Thomas, as the Knicks' president of basketball operations, traded for Zach Randolph, Fred Jones, and Dan Dickau from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.
2007: Congressional Gold Medal
In 2007, Isiah Thomas received one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes of the 1980 Olympic boycott.
April 2, 2008: Donnie Walsh Replaces Thomas
On April 2, 2008, Donnie Walsh was introduced as the replacement for Isiah Thomas as president of basketball operations for the New York Knicks.
April 14, 2009: Accepts Head Coaching Job at FIU
On April 14, 2009, Isiah Thomas accepted a position as the head basketball coach of Florida International University (FIU), replacing Sergio Rouco.
September 2009: Jordan's Hall of Fame Speech
In September 2009, during Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame acceptance speech, Jordan thanked Isiah Thomas and others for giving him the motivation he needed to compete in the NBA.
2009: FIU Golden Panthers Coach
In 2009, Isiah Thomas became the men's basketball coach for the Florida International University (FIU) Golden Panthers.
August 6, 2010: Consultant Role with Knicks Announced
On August 6, 2010, Isiah Thomas announced that he was taking a job as a consultant for the New York Knicks while also remaining as the head coach at FIU, a move that was widely criticized.
2011: Establishes The Peace League
In 2011, Isiah Thomas, along with Father Michael Pfleger, established The Peace League, an annual community basketball league in the Chicago area.
April 6, 2012: FIU Fires Thomas
On April 6, 2012, FIU fired Isiah Thomas after three seasons, during which he compiled a 26-65 record and never won more than 11 games in a season.
September 2012: Co-hosts Ballin' for Peace Tournament
In September 2012, Isiah Thomas co-hosted the Ballin' for Peace Tournament at St. Sabina Church in Chicago, aiming to reduce gang violence through communication and basketball.
December 19, 2012: Joins NBA TV as Analyst
On December 19, 2012, NBA TV announced that Isiah Thomas would begin working as a studio analyst on December 21, 2012, and would also become a regular contributor for NBA.com.
2012: End of FIU Coaching Career
In 2012, Isiah Thomas concluded his three-season tenure as the men's basketball coach for the Florida International University (FIU) Golden Panthers.
March 2013: Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
In March 2013, Children Uniting Nations presented Isiah Thomas and Mary's Court with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his dedication to improving the lives of at-risk and foster youth through advocacy, awareness, and academic programs.
2013: Receives Master's in Education from UC Berkeley
In 2013, Isiah Thomas received his Master's in Education from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Education, focusing on the connection between education and sports, specifically the accessibility of education for black male college athletes.
2013: Real Estate Investment
In 2013, Isiah Thomas said he was investing in distressed areas in Chicago and reinvesting.
May 5, 2015: Hired as New York Liberty Team President
On May 5, 2015, Isiah Thomas was hired as team president of the WNBA's New York Liberty, overseeing all business and basketball operations for the team.
June 22, 2015: Liberty Suspends Ownership Application Consideration
On June 22, 2015, the New York Liberty and the WNBA agreed to suspend consideration of Isiah Thomas's ownership application, but he remained president of the team.
2015: $300 Million Development Deal
As of 2015, Isiah Thomas was involved in a $300 million development deal for a mixed-use complex at the Illinois Medical District Commission, partnering with various companies.
2015: Peace League Expands to New York City
During the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend, The Peace League Tournament, originally an initiative in Chicago, was expanded to New York City. The New York City Peace Game featured over 50 players from across all five boroughs competing in a tournament, with a speaking program featuring special guests, including Harry Belafonte.
2015: President and Part Owner of New York Liberty
In 2015, Isiah Thomas became the president and part owner of the New York Liberty, the WNBA sister team of the New York Knicks.
2015: Liberty Finish First in Eastern Conference
In 2015, under Isiah Thomas's leadership as team president and with Bill Laimbeer as head coach, the New York Liberty finished first in the WNBA's Eastern Conference.
2016: Exclusive Importer of Cheurlin Champagne
In 2016, Isiah Thomas announced that he was the exclusive United States importer of Cheurlin Champagne through ISIAH Imports, a subsidiary of ISIAH International, LLC. Cheurlin Champagne made its debut in the United States at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
February 13, 2017: Presented with AT&T Humanity of Connection Award
On February 13, 2017, Isiah Thomas received the AT&T Humanity of Connection Award at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., honoring his achievements in sports and contributions to the African American community.
August 2017: Brings Cheurlin Flagship Collection to Bellagio
In August 2017, Isiah Thomas brought his Cheurlin Flagship Collection portfolio of Champagnes to the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
2017: Panelist on NBA on TNT's Players Only
Since 2017, Isiah Thomas has been a regular panelist during NBA on TNT's Monday coverage Players Only, which features only former NBA players as studio analysts, play-by-play announcers, and color analysts for games.
February 21, 2019: Relieved of Duties with the Liberty
On February 21, 2019, Isiah Thomas was relieved of his duties with the New York Liberty after James Dolan sold the team to Joseph Tsai.
2019: End of Tenure with New York Liberty
In 2019, Isiah Thomas concluded his tenure as the president and part owner of the New York Liberty.
2020: Remains Leader in Multiple Pistons' Stats
As of 2020, Isiah Thomas remains the Detroit Pistons' all-time career leader in minutes played (15,904), points scored (18,822), steals (1,861), and assists (9,061).
2021: Elected to NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Isiah Thomas was elected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2023: Ranks Tenth in NBA History in Assists
As of 2023, Isiah Thomas's 9,061 assists rank tenth in NBA history, and his average of 9.3 assists per game ranks fifth.
2023: Induction into the American Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2023, Isiah Thomas was inducted into the American Basketball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of basketball's all-time greats.
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