Embed from Getty ImagesA lot of great NBA players have come out of Chicago over the years, but few have seen the success that Dwyane Wade has during his 13-year career.
It’s a career that includes three NBA championships, one Finals MVP award and one NBA scoring title. But still, the Richards High School alum says he’s not the best player to hail from the Windy City.
That distinction belongs to former Pistons bad boy Isiah Thomas, Wade recently told ESPN.
“Now there’s someone that doesn’t get enough credit,” Wade said of the Hall of Famer. “I have so much respect for him. When people ask me about Chicago, I’m always going to say Isiah is the best player to ever come out of Chicago. I’m always going to say that.”
Thomas, who attended St. Joseph High School before playing his college ball at Indiana, won two NBA championships with Detroit and was the 1990 NBA Finals MVP. He made 12 All-Star games during his 13-year career. Wade was elected to his 12th All-Star game last week.
“He and I have had conversations and he’ll say, “D-Wade, you are the best to ever come out,” and I’ll always disagree,” Wade said. “Obviously there’s a respect factor, but I know I wouldn’t be where I’m at without Isiah Thomas, but people forget how great Isiah was. I mean, just how great he really, really was. He was ridiculous. Unbelievable.”
Thomas’ greatness likely isn’t lost on Bulls fans, who watched his Pistons end Chicago’s season for three consecutive years from 1988-1990.
Wade captured his first championship in 2006, then – like Thomas – defeated his hometown team in the Eastern Conference Finals on his way to another Finals appearance in 2011.
The best Bulls player to wear each number
Stats via Basketball-Reference
