Isiah Thomas Detroit Pistons 1981-82 Game Worn & Signed and Inscribed Sneakers | Rookie Season | Denver Nuggets Ball Boy Provenance

Given by Thomas to Denver Nuggets ball boy after game.

These sneakers were attributed to December 23, 1981 when the Detroit Pistons played the Denver Nuggets. The sneakers were given to Nuggets ball boy TJ Lewis following the game.

Thomas finished with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. The Pistons beat the Nuggets, 124-119.

Lewis recalls:

On that December night in 1981, Isiah Thomas gifted me a pair of his rookie-year, game-worn sneakers, which he later autographed at the advice of one of the veteran Ball Boys. At the time, this was the very first pair of shoes ever given to me by an NBA player. I had not yet known that players occasionally gifted their shoes, and after confirming with a longtime Ball Boy that this was indeed a generous and meaningful gesture, I made sure to preserve them carefully. I hereby certify that these Isiah Thomas rookie game-worn and signed sneakers are authentic and were personally obtained by me directly from Isiah Thomas following the game on December 23, 1981, in Denver, Colorado. These sneakers have remained in my personal possession since that date.

This lot is accompanied by a letter from James Spence Authentication in regards to the signature and a letter of provenance from T.J. Lewis.

Going Deeper - Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas was drafted 2nd overall in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons and went on to have a legendary career. The Hall of Famer is considered one of the best ‘small’ guards of all time at 6-foot-1. After leading the Indiana Hoosiers to a National Championship in 1981, he ranked Top 10 in both steals and assists per game in his first professional season. The 12-time All-Star performer was known as a ‘feisty competitor’ who played with flair. 

He was named MVP of the NBA Finals in 1990 and also named All Star MVP in 1984 and 1986. Thomas was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. His role was pivotal in taking the Detroit Pistons from last place in the league to back-to-back championship wins in 1989 and 1990. 

The 1990 NBA Finals was contested between the Pistons and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Pistons physical style of play was overwhelming for the Blazers, and they handily won the series 4 games to 1. Thomas was named the MVP, averaging a series high 27.6 points per game. Thomas had an all-around great series, leading the Pistons in assists and steals as well. The Pistons’ second straight NBA Championship solidified them among the dominant teams of the era.