Latest news with #IsiahThomas
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Isiah Thomas Flexes Rare Feat Of Beating Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson And Larry Bird
Isiah Thomas Flexes Rare Feat Of Beating Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson And Larry Bird originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The late '80s and early '90s marked a transitional phase in the end of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson's era and the beginning of Michael Jordan's era. But before Jordan became the torchbearer of the '90s era in the NBA, Isiah Thomas and the 'Bad Boy' Pistons made their mark on NBA history. Advertisement Isiah Thomas is one of the few NBA players who can claim they beat Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird in the Playoffs. A few other players may claim they have done so, but what makes Thomas more special is that he led his team to beat them after they became the regular season MVPs, and then he went on to win two (back-to-back) championships. This makes him the only player in NBA history to beat 3 MVPs in consecutive Playoffs, win back-to-back championships, and also win a Finals MVP. Thomas went on Instagram and reminded his fans of what he accomplished during his career. His caption read as follows: Advertisement "Isiah Thomas is the ONLY player in @nbahistory to defeat three league MVPs in consecutive NBA Playoff runs — and then win back-to-back championships. Let's break it down: 💥 1988:✅ Defeated Michael Jordan (1988 League MVP) ✅ Defeated Larry Bird (1987 League MVP) ✅ Took Magic Johnson's Lakers to 7 games in the Finals on a sprained ankle and scored 25 points in one quarter — an NBA Finals record still today 💥 1989:✅ SWEPT Magic Johnson (1989 League MVP) and the Lakers in the NBA Finals. 🏆 NBA Champion 💥 1990:✅ Beat Michael Jordan again in the Eastern Conference Finals. 🏆 NBA Champion Advertisement 🏅 Finals MVP 📊 ISIAH'S NBA FINALS DOMINANCE (1988–1990) ✅ 3 Straight Finals Appearances ✅ 2 NBA Titles ✅ 1 Finals MVP Finals Averages (1988–1990): • 🧠 22.6 PPG • 🎯 7.5 APG • 🔥 49.6% FG • 💣 55.8% 3PT (24-of-43) • 💥 57.9% 3PT in 1990 Finals alone (11-of-19) — the highest in Finals history • 🧮 Combined FG% (2PT + 3PT weighted): 51.3%🔐 No Top 50 teammates while the MVPs had one or more #NBAHistory Let it Be Known" Isiah Thomas Calls Out 'Controversial' Tag Over Michael Jordan Record In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Isiah Thomas recently called out the NBA media and fans for deeming him 'controversial' since he's unapologetic about his playoff record against Michael Jordan. Advertisement "I don't run away from it. Fortunately for me, I'm probably one of the only people that can walk around this Earth and say, in playoff competition, I beat Jordan more than he beat me. I would put Magic [Johnson] and [Larry] Bird in that same conversation ... For some reason, that makes me controversial." "I'm ok with winning if winning comes with that controversy," Thomas said. "I'm not going to lose to him just so some people can be satisfied. I don't mind talking about my history and my basketball accomplishments. When I talk about them, I'm sorry, I did win. If you prefer me to ignore that I won, I don't know how that works." The Bulls and Pistons faced each other consecutively over four years in the NBA Playoffs from 1988 to 1991. Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas faced off in 22 games in the Playoffs. Jordan had a 10-12 record versus Thomas in his career. Related: Stephen Curry Wants To Follow Michael Jordan's Footsteps Even After Retirement This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
On this day: McAdoo to Hall of Fame, Red Claws become Maine Celtics
On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics forward Bob McAdoo was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame alongside Detroit Pistons point guard Isiah Thomas and several others in 2000. McAdoo was, at best, a reluctant Celtic, traded to the franchise from the New York Knicks. He was concerned about the racial climate of the city, which had a reputation for being particularly hostile to African Americans. Conversely, team president Red Auerbach had not been consulted on the deal by ownership and nearly quit as a result. But all parties stuck it out for six months, and McAdoo was dealt to the Detroit Pistons for draft assets. Advertisement McAdoo played 20 games for Boston, averaging 20.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2 assists per game with the franchise. Nov 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports Also, it was on this day in 2021 that the Boston Celtics announced they were changing the name of their G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. The familiar lobster mascot stayed but turned green, and the club was henceforth known as the (Portland) Maine Celtics. This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: McAdoo to Hall of Fame, Red Claws become Maine Celtics
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NBA Legend Isiah Thomas showers praise on coach Mark Johnson's basketball legacy
NBA Legend Isiah Thomas showers praise on coach Mark Johnson's basketball legacy (Image Source: Getty) Former NBA player and Hall of Famer, Isiah Thomas, who also led the team, Detroit Pistons back in the 80s and 90s, has had an experience with a very different set of players and environment. In an interview, Isiah Thomas talked about how the NBA has changed in the last few decades, and credits coach Mark Johnson for his leadership and contribution. How the NBA changed from the 80s In an interview from 2023, Isiah Thomas opened up about several aspects of his life. He spoke about who he believes was the best defender and the rivalry between him and Scottie Pippen was developed. On the All The Smoke Podcast, he speaks up. Isiah Thomas - Part 1 | Ep 176 | ALL THE SMOKE Full Episode | SHOWTIME Basketball He said , 'The eras are different, some people say the 80s was the best era for basketball, while some people have said the 90s wasn't one of the greatest eras of basketball, then, 2000s, as the rules started changing, and coaching schemes started changing, when you say the game has evolved, has the game really evolved? and what does that mean when we say it has? What has changed and the guy who doesn't get credit for changing the game in this so-called evolution of the game, his name would be coach Mark Jackson. ' Further he says, 'Let me tell you how Mark Jackson changed the game, because he saw a guy named Steph Curry, and a guy by the name Clay Thomson, and Mark Jackson as a coach made it acceptable for Steph Curry and Clay to shoot from that range, people shot from the range, but people didn't do it as part of their offensive scheme.' Who were Isiah Thomas' best defenders? Much talked about rivalries were shaped by good games and brilliant results, that made the player focus on different aspects of the game. In an interview, Thomas opens about his rivalry with Scottie Pippen, despite the mutual respect they had for each other. Regarding who he believed were the best defender, Thomas named Dennis Rodman and Scottie Pippen. He said: 'As a defender, he doesn't get enough credit, when we talk about the greatest and best defenders that have ever played in the NBA, Chicago had two of them — Rodman and Scottie Pippen, Scottie was different, At his best, I may have to say that he and Rodman were the one-two best defenders to ever play the game. I want to give him his respect and his props. And then, as a facilitator, Scottie — he was the real deal.' Also Read: NBA Legend Charles Barkley Throws Direct Criticism At Karl-Anthony Towns' Face After New York Knicks' Game 5 Win Against Indiana Pacers It has been a pleasure for Isiah Thomas to be able to see how the NBA has turned out over the years, for its fans, for the players, for the coaches and most importantly, for the teams.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Isiah Thomas Says Thunder Are Treating Anthony Edwards Like 'The Bad Boy' Pistons Treated Michael Jordan
Isiah Thomas Says Thunder Are Treating Anthony Edwards Like 'The Bad Boy' Pistons Treated Michael Jordan originally appeared on Fadeaway World. In four games so far in the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards has had two games where he scored below 20 points in the game with 13 shots. While Edwards refuses to acknowledge that the Thunder defense made him struggle, he has acknowledged that the Thunder defense forced him to play a certain way and very often saw a double team in the game. Advertisement It's a sign of how big a threat the opposing side considers you to be if their defensive plans are built around stopping you. Isiah Thomas, the NBA legend, compared the OKC Thunder's defensive strategy to how the Pistons used to guard Michael Jordan in his prime. 'What they're doing is they're making him a jump shooter, and off of screens, they're double-teaming him. And this is what we did to Jordan: Jordan never played against Joe [Dumars] by himself. As you can see, we always had three to four people in the lane, and we forced him to be a jump shooter. His athleticism was so great that we could not leave him alone around the rim. When he got near the rim, what we wanted to do was clog the lane. And why did we want to clog the lane? So he couldn't get the dunk. His athleticism was so great that when he dunked, it ignited the whole team, it ignited the whole crowd. So what we wanted to do was make him a jump shooter, that's what OKC right now is doing to Minnesota.' Isiah Thomas went on to explain how the Thunder is shutting down Edwards and even Randle in the same way as the Pistons did with Jordan. He pointed out an interesting stat that clearly explains their defensive strategy. 'In this series right now, as great an athlete as Edwards is he's only got two dunks in this whole series right now. He's got 18 layups but check this out, he's got 48 jump shots.' Advertisement Clearly, Edwards has been forced to shoot the ball instead of getting to the rim for the dunk or lay-up. Two of Edwards' three games with below 20 points in the Playoffs have come against the Thunder. This strategy has clearly helped them make Edwards a lesser threat during the game. Going into Game 5, the Timberwolves face a massive task against a complicated defense system designed to slow Edwards down. Edwards has averaged 27.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists in seven elimination games played in his career. Game 5 could be the end of their Playoff run this year. Will he be able to find a way around the Thunder defense? Or will the Thunder successfully make their first NBA Finals since 2012? Let us know what you think in the comments section. Related: "Didn't Get Enough Shots To Say I Struggled": Anthony Edwards In Denial After Thunder Steal Game 4 This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
On this day: Larry Bird steals the ball; Bill Russell honored
On this day in Boston Celtics history, legendary forward Larry Bird stole the ball and passed it to point guard Dennis Johnson for the winning layup in a wild, 107-106, Game 5 victory over the Detroit Pistons in the East Conference finals of the 1987 NBA playoffs. Detroit point guard Isiah Thomas had scored a late basket to put the Pistons up 106-105 with 17 seconds remaining. When Bird tried to respond with a layup on the next play, it was blocked. Detroit got the ball back, and the game seemed all but over with just five seconds remaining. Advertisement But, the Hick from French Lick picked off the inbounds pass and connected with Johnson for the win. Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Boston Celtics former center Bill Russell in attendance during the 2013 NBA all star shooting stars competition at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports In 1999, a "Bill Russell Tribute" was held at the FleetCenter (today's TD Garden) to honor the Celtics legend's Hall of Fame career. Guests included Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Tom Brokaw, Jim Brown, Bob Cousy, Wilt Chamberlain, Johnny Mathis, then-NBA commissioner David Stern and Bill Walton among many others. The event lasted more than two hours and even featured a videotaped greeting from then-President Bill Clinton. "The one thing I don't like about these (ceremonies) is they're so serious," said Russell via the Hartford Courant's Alan Greenberg. "When they introduce me, it sounds like my obituary. I'm not dead yet. But I know I'm getting old because I talk about what I've done, rather than what I'm going to do ... I don't compare myself to anyone, as far as who is the best player." Advertisement "All I do is put up the rings," he added. This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Bird steals ball; Russell honored
