Isiah Thomas enjoyed a legendary NBA career.
Standing only 6-foot-1, he accomplished nearly everything a player could dream of, proving that surviving in the NBA was not just about height. Most importantly, he won multiple championships.
Advertisement
Thomas’ talent was widely recognized even before his 1981 Draft got underway. The Dallas Mavericks, picking first, knew Zeke had potential. He was seen as a playmaker that could potentially transform any team into a contender.
“When you get a player like Isiah you can be set at point guard for five to 10 years,” Mavs coach Dick Motta admitted ahead of the 1981 Draft via UPI.
The Mavs’ dubious pass on Thomas
Despite the recognition, the Mavs surprisingly passed on Thomas and selected Mark Aguirre instead. The decision raised several theories at the time.
Advertisement
One claim suggested that Thomas disliked the Dallas’ cowboy and Western image. Zeke denied this, insisting that his comments were taken out of context.
Another rumor involved Thomas’ college coach, Bobby Knight. Rumors surfaced that Knight informed the Mavs about flaws in Thomas’ game. Isiah had his doubts and preferred to give his former coach the benefit of the doubt.
Regardless of what the reason, Aguirre’s talent should not be overlooked. He was a highly-decorated scorer and his 6-foot-7 height could have appealed more to the Mavs.
Advertisement
Moreover, what made the debate even more intriguing was the fact that Isiah and Mark were already good friends. Their friendship dated back to childhood, as both grew up in Chicago.
Thomas ended up settling for being the second pick in the 1981 Draft and going to the Detroit Pistons. Zeke did not disappoint and lived up to his pre-draft billing, helping mold the Motor City squad into contenders in the coming seasons.
The unexpected reunion
On their own, Thomas and Aguirre made their mark with the Pistons and Mavericks.
Advertisement
Both helped their teams reach the playoffs. However, it remained that despite their efforts, their team’s campaigns fell short of expectations.
All that would change in a surprise twist in 1989. The Mavs decided to deal Aguirre to the Pistons in exchange for Adrian Dantley.
However, it also meant that Aguirre would reunite with his good friend Thomas. Joining a team where Isiah was obviously the top star, Mark knew he had to make adjustments.
Aguirre admitted that it wasn’t easy at first. The veteran swingman had to transition from being a top scorer to a role player. But knowing he was joining an established team bent on winning championships, it was a sacrifice that turned out to be worth it.
Advertisement
Thomas and Aguirre reaped the rewards of playing together, playing key roles in the Pistons’ back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990. They provided the leadership on and off the court, using their ferocity to inspire the Pistons to play tougher.
As for Aguirre, adjusting was tough but eventually rewarding.
He embraced coach Chuck Daly’s team-first philosophy, sacrificing personal gain for a bigger prize.
In the end, two friends who were the subject of debate in the 1981 Draft ended up playing side-by-side. Their reunion was sweet, as evidenced by the two NBA championships they won together.
Advertisement
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Sep 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Old School section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.