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When appreciating point guards who have built great dynasties in the NBA, Isiah Thomas’ name rarely receives the full credit it deserves.
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Considering how Zeke led Detroit to two consecutive championships while defeating some of the biggest stars of his era, his legacy is always discussed with an “if,” especially because he never won the MVP award or routinely led the league in statistical categories.
That is why Evan Turner believes that fans and media have taken Thomas’ legacy for granted, constantly looking for holes in his resume instead of giving him the credit he deserves.
In fact, on “Gil’s Arena Show”, Evan passionately argued that one part of Isiah’s career is overlooked far too often: his ability to beat Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan in their respective primes.
Turner doesn’t appreciate the bias towards Thomas
There is a common narrative that Jordan established himself as the league’s best player while both Bird and Johnson were still competing at an elite level.
However, while Zeke never led the NBA in scoring like MJ, he accomplished something equally significant from a team-success standpoint, ending Larry Legend’s title hopes, delaying Mike’s championship window and humbling Magic’s Showtime L.A. Lakers.
Isiah and the Pistons repeatedly ran into the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference playoffs, suffering losses in 1985 and ’87. Then, in the 1988 ECFs, Detroit finally got past Boston, only to fall to Magic and Los Angeles in an intense seven-game Finals series.
The following season, however, the Pistons completed their climb to the top. The Bad Boys swept the C’s in the first round before overcoming a 2-1 deficit against Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pistons then swept the defending champs, the Lakers, in the NBA Finals to win their first championship.
Detroit repeated the feat in 1990, once again eliminating the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals in a playoff campaign where Mike averaged 36.7 (league-high) points per game. Yet, the Pistons found a way to beat them and then defend their title against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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That is why ET passionately exclaimed that the level of recognition Zeke receives does not match his accomplishments.
“It’s not as high as it should be, bro. He spanked Mike. Not as much as he should, bro,” Turner passionately argued with fellow co-hosts. “What Isiah did to the Bulls with his team camaraderie and everything… Michael Jordan’s legacy is what? They said he took out Larry, they said he took out Magic? Who took out Larry and Magic first? Isiah! Then he said, ‘Hey, bro, it took you damn near five or six years to get through me and my minions.’”
Evan turner say Isiah Thomas legacy should be respected more he beat Larry bird , magic johnson and it took Michael Jordan 5 or 6 years to get past Thomas pic.twitter.com/VZpWSfsUgL
— NBA Hoops (@Thechat101) September 15, 2026
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Isiah feels the same way
Interestingly, Turner’s argument was further supported by fellow co-host and former NBA champion Brendan Haywood, who suggested Thomas’ lingering frustration indeed stems from the same feeling that his accomplishments have never received the appreciation they deserve. And unlike most former NBA players, Evan understands that perspective and believes Isiah has legitimate reasons to feel genuinely frustrated.
That being said, in this case, one should remember that Turner’s point was not to downplay the legacies of Jordan, Bird, and Johnson, but to make everyone understand what Thomas accomplished and how. Despite the Bad Boys Pistons being known as one of the most disliked teams in NBA history, Isiah made them successful.
Related: “Like we’re animals” – Isiah Thomas argued Larry Bird was admired more than him, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson because he was white
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This story was originally published September 17, 2026 at 12:14 AM.