THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 6, 1996 TAG: 9604060415
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
An on-the-run interview with two-time NBA most valuable player and Toronto Raptors general manager Isiah Thomas, who spoke at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament Celebrity Luncheon on Friday:
If you had your choice of a single current player in the NBA to start a new team, who is the player you would pick?
``Shaquille O'Neal. He's the dominant young player in the game today.''
When the Pistons retired your number recently, how did you feel?
``Overwhelmed.''
Being from Chicago, why did you make Indiana your college choice?
``Bob Knight came to my home to recruit me and got into a fight with my brother. My mother said, `I like that guy. Why don't you go to Indiana?' So I went with this meek, mild-mannered coach. Just like my mom. Neither of them go by the Dr. Spock method.''
I guess the highlights of your career are the NBA championships?
``Yes. You know we didn't have the talent of Boston or the Lakers. But we had the will to compete. And that's the way we won.''
What about that victory by the Raptors over the Bulls this year?
``Most of the time we lose. OK, all the time we lose. But the team found that one special moment. And it's something we can look back and build upon.''
How would you describe Michael Jordan?
``Unbelievable. Better than unbelievable. He does things you are not supposed to be able to do.''
``You watched last year's PIT. How would you compare the talent we are getting?
``The business has changed and there are so many underclassmen going to the pros now. It's also difficult to draw the bigger names here. But down the line I believe the talent is better than ever. I can see a player moving up from a 10th choice in the draft to maybe even a No. 4 by playing well in the PIT.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas spoke at the PIT Celebrity
Luncheon on Friday.
by CNB