Isiah Thomas has been many things in his life.
As point guard for the Detroit Pistons, he was an MVP, all-star and
holder of two championship rings. He retired and became part-owner
and general manager of the Toronto Raptors. Now he's owner of the
Continental Basketball Association and a NBA analyst on NBC. In between
meetings at the network, he talked with USA WEEKEND's Ricardo Gutiérrez.
Some of our readers have noted how well dressed you are on
the air. Is there anyone in particular who chooses your wardrobe?
Actually, it's a combination of three people: my wife, my childhood
friend Willie Scott and Debbie Graziani. Willie and Debbie are both
designers.
What do you like to wear off the air?
I wear anything. Fortunately enough for me, I'm not a big-body type.
I don't have a 6'9" body or anything like that. I dress in anything.
I just grab it, put it on and fortunately sometimes it fits.
Do you enjoy watching any sports, besides basketball, in your spare time?
Football is my favorite sport to watch.
Is there anyone in football who you would not miss a chance to see?
I'm a football fan and I like watching them all. I wish Barry Sanders
would come back because I really liked watching him play. He's very
exciting.
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and yourself were
some of the greatest players of your era. With the new generation
in basketball, who do you see as the next great players?
Well, there's Kevin Garnett and Grant Hill. I think out of the point
guards there are going to be some great rivalries between [Allen]
Iverson, [Stephon] Marbury and [Damon] Stoudamire. I'm also a big
Shaq fan.
How do you feel about kids who skip college or leave early to join the pros?
The thing that bothers me about a guy leaving school to go to the
pros is when he doesn't continue his education. It's OK to leave
college basketball to play professional basketball, but to run the
risk of not fulfilling your educational requirement is basically
stupid.
Would you suggest that pro players return to school?
Well, you have to go back. To be uneducated with a lot of money
is stupid. You have the opportunity to make money, but you also
have the responsibility to go back and continue your education so
you can keep your money.
Is there anyone, living or dead, who you really admire and would like to meet and speak with?
I would really like to meet and have a conversation with Jesus Christ.
I would like to find out what was going on and what it really is
all about.
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