Name

ISIAH THOMAS

STEVE FRANCIS

Nickname

Zeke

Stevie Franchise

Height

6-1

6-3

Weight

182

195

Career
(Seasons)

1981-1994
(13 NBA seasons)

1999-present
(Fourth NBA season)

A-S Selections

12

2 (includes 2003)

First
All-Star Game

1982
(in New Jersey)

2002
(in Philadelphia)

Age (first A-S Game)

20

24

A-S scoring average

16.8 ppg

3.0 ppg

Best A-S
performance

1986:
30 pts., 10 asst., 5 stl.

2002:
3 pts., 2 reb., 3 asst.

A-S Game MVP

1984, 1986

None

Career avg.

19.2

20.2

Best season

22.9 ppg (1982-83)

22.9* ppg (2002-03)

Most memorable performance

Set Finals record for points in a quarter (25) against Lakers in 1988

Scored a career-high 44 points in OT win over Lakers on 1-17-03

Isiah Thomas' greatest moments: 56k | 300k

Isiah Thomas and Steve Francis share qualities NBA coaches seek in a point guard -- quickness, fearlessness, leadership.

Thomas and Francis entered the NBA as underclassmen. Thomas spent two years in college and was fresh off an NCAA title with Indiana University in 1981 when he was chosen in the first round by the Pistons, with whom he spent his whole career. Francis left the University of Maryland after playing one season and was drafted by the then Vancouver Grizzlies, who traded his rights to the Rockets.

Like Thomas, Francis possesses a quickness off the dribble that precious few other point guards can defend. This quickness also helps Francis be fearless when he journeys into the lane. Francis' free throw attempts have increased each season. At 6-3, Francis is two inches bigger than Thomas and is a more explosive leaper (participated in two Slam Dunk contests) and is a better rebounder (averages 6.2 rebounds per game compared to Thomas' 3.6). Francis, also like Thomas, is a point guard who can score. While Thomas' had his best season scoring (22.9 ppg in 1982-83) his second year in the league, Francis' scoring average has increased every season to where he's averaging three points more (22.9 ppg) than his career average.

Thomas, who was a mesmerizing ballhandler, was better at getting his teammates involved. Thomas averaged 9.3 assists per game in his career, led the league in 1984-85 with 13.9 assists per game, the third highest average of the past 20 seasons. This ability to make his teammates better made Thomas one of the best point guards in NBA history.

Thomas never shied away from contact, either, as he would go into the lane often. His 25 points in one quarter against the Lakers in 1988, is still a record and is even more amazing considering he scored a majority of those points on a sprained ankle.