If you are a basketball fan, you might have wondered if the former Boston Celtics star Isaiah Thomas is related to the Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas. The answer is no, they are not related by blood, but they do share a connection that goes beyond their similar names. Here is the story of how Isaiah Thomas got his name, and how he became close to Isiah Thomas.
A Bet Gone Wrong
Isaiah Thomas was born on February 7, 1989, to James Thomas and Tina Baldtrip. His father, James, was a lifelong Lakers fan who made a bet with a friend that his favorite team would beat the Pistons in the 1989 NBA Finals. If the Lakers lost, he would name his son after the Pistons’ star point guard, Isiah Thomas.
The Lakers were swept by the Pistons in four games, and James had to keep his word. He named his son Isaiah Jamar Thomas, but changed the spelling of the first name to avoid confusion. According to Heavy.com, James had already warmed up to the name before the bet was settled, and he liked the biblical meaning of Isaiah, which means “God is my salvation”.
A Mentor and a Friend
Isaiah Thomas grew up idolizing Isiah Thomas, and he wore his number 11 jersey in high school and college. He also studied his game and tried to emulate his style of play. He played three years of college basketball for the Washington Huskies, where he became a three-time all-conference selection in the Pac-10. He declared for the NBA draft after his junior year, and was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the last pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
Isaiah Thomas met Isiah Thomas for the first time in 2012, when the latter was working as an analyst for NBA TV. They hit it off immediately, and Isiah Thomas became a mentor and a friend to Isaiah Thomas. He gave him advice on how to improve his game, how to deal with challenges, and how to handle fame and pressure. He also supported him through his personal and professional struggles, such as the death of his sister Chyna in 2017, and his hip injury that derailed his career.
Isaiah Thomas has expressed his gratitude and admiration for Isiah Thomas on several occasions. He once said that Isiah Thomas is “like a father figure” to him. He also said that he considers him “the best point guard ever” and that he wants to “be just like him”.
A Tale of Two Thomases
Isaiah Thomas and Isiah Thomas are not related by blood, but they are connected by their names, their passion for basketball, and their friendship. They are both point guards who played with heart, skill, and determination. They both faced adversity and overcame obstacles in their careers. They both achieved success and recognition in the NBA.
Isaiah Thomas is currently a free agent who is looking for another chance to prove himself in the league. He most recently played for the Charlotte Hornets in 2022. Isiah Thomas is an NBA Hall of Famer who won two championships with the Pistons in 1989 and 1990. He is now an analyst for NBA TV.
They are both proud of their names, and they are both proud of each other.
