Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 21, 1994 TAG: 9404210065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: AUBURN HILLS, MICH. LENGTH: Medium
Thomas flashed his customary smile and was philosophical after his last home game, a three-quarter effort in a 132-104 loss Tuesday night to Orlando.
"Me, as an athlete and a basketball player, when it's all said and done, I wanted to leave everything on the court," he said.
Thomas's mother, Mary, was in the stands for the four-minute ovation that greeted her son. Thomas grinned and waved. He trotted to halfcourt for a melodramatic bow at halftime when the big-screen TV showed career highlights.
Then, less than a quarter later, he limped off the court after landing badly from a jump.
"It felt like I got shot with a cannon," Thomas said.
In fact, he tore his right Achilles' tendon and had surgery Wednesday evening. The injury will keep him from this summer's world championships in Toronto.
"He's not going to be able to play at all in that," team doctor Benjamin Paolucci said after the operation. "As a matter of fact, if he were planning on playing next year, he would have missed the first part of the season."
Thomas could be released as early as today, said Dr. Gary Gilyard, who operated on Thomas at Detroit's Hutzel Hospital. He won't be able to put weight on the foot for about six weeks and his foot will remain in a splint three to five days to allow the incision to heal.
Thomas remained coy about his plans to the end, but everyone in The Palace knew Tuesday was his last home game.
"That's an absolutely terrible way to end it," said Detroit guard Joe Dumars. "It's also the way the entire season has gone. We start the year with promise and end up with a terrible season."
But most of Thomas' career has been one of promises kept.
He promised his mother in Chicago he would finish school and he did, even though he left Indiana University at age 19 to sign with the Pistons. He was the second pick overall of the 1981 draft.
He became the Pistons' career scoring leader in 1991 and this season surpassed the 18,000-point mark. He led the rest of the Bad Boys to NBA championships in 1989 and '90.
But this season, his 32-year-old body rebelled. He missed 20 games because of assorted ailments - hyperextended knee, broken rib, broken hand, strained arch, injured calf, cut left hand.
There also was the frustration of no longer playing for an elite team. Thomas broke a finger punching teammate Bill Laimbeer during practice. Laimbeer retired 13 games into the season.
"More or less, his body gave out," Laimbeer said. "And that's why I got out when I did."
In March, Thomas joined Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson and John Stockton as the only NBA players to reach 9,000 career assists. Thomas also is the Pistons' career leader in games played, points and steals.
Thomas, who held a party for 60 friends and relatives before Tuesday's game, said he was more nervous that game than for the NBA Finals. He was facing the hometown crowd for the last time and wanted to go out with a flourish. He went out in pain, scoring 12 points in 26 minutes.
"This was Isiah's night," said Orlando guard Anfernee Hardaway. "He is one of the greatest guards that ever played in this league. I have dreamed about playing against the likes of Jordan, Bird, Magic and Isiah. I'm glad I got the opportunity to play against Isiah.
"It's sad to watch him go down with this kind of injury."
Said Thomas: "I look back at what I was able to accomplish, what I got out of my body, and it far exceeded anything I could've envisioned. I can comfortably say I didn't waste any talent."
by CNB