Little Man Isiah

Little Man Isiah
by Mark Anthony Neal

As a collegiate athlete and NBA professional, Isiah Thomas was a deft and compelling figure, proving both elusive and crafty, in a sport in which he was more often than not, the shortest figure on the court. Thomas was the quintessential “little man” in a big man’s game. Thomas’s “little man” aesthetic translated into two world championships for the Detroit Pistons and his elevation as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players. But in retirement Thomas reputation as the “little engine that could” has been severely challenged by difficult and at times inept performances as the coach and general manager of several NBA teams and as the one-time owner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). No doubt when he tried to succeed on the corporate side of the National Basketball Association, Thomas’s status as an African-American complicated the “little man” issues he had faced throughout his career; Thomas simply wanted to be one of the boys. But as so many black athletes have found out—Michael Jordan’s tenure as general manager of the Washington Wizards being the most visible example—no amount of celebrity and wealth, will allow them to be one of the boys; Unless of course if it is in the sharing of the everyday privilege that comes so easily at the expense of women.

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