Pistons' Bad Boy, Isiah 'Zeke' Thomas on growing up on the west side of 1960s Chicago, and how it almost pulled him into a different career.

?Army Tank Pulled Up, Pointed the Barrel Right at Our House?: Having No Dreams of NBA Growing Up, Isiah Thomas Reveals Muddled Childhood

 The NBA has lifted a lot of players out of difficult situations. In the rich history of the league, there are stories of players rising from modest beginnings, overcoming adversity and leaving a lasting impression on the game. Isiah Thomas, a 2x NBA champion and legendary member of the Detroit Pistons [https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nba/detroit-pistons/], is one such inspiring story. Unlike other players who have aspirations for joining the NBA at a young age, Isiah had his eggs placed in another basket. Most recently, the 2x NBA champion revealed how he had no aspirations of pursuing basketball in the league. Furthermore, he also disclosed a glimpse into the turbulent upbringing he had. ISIAH THOMAS OPENS UP ABOUT ROUGH LIFE IN THE WINDY CITY Born in 1961 on the west side of Chicago, Isiah ‘Zeke’ Thomas lived through multiple assassinations including those of civil rights activists Malcolm X in 1965 and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. It was a period of political unrest with continuous riots in Isiah’s neighborhood. He recently appeared in an episode of ‘SWAY’S UNIVERSE‘ podcast where he talked about his upbringing. Zeke revealed how he hadn’t even thought about playing basketball in the league considering how his upbringing was. He said, ” I didn’t grow up with this NBA basketball dream. I grew up um you know wanting to be you know an activist fighting in Civil Rights.” He said,? “First time a weapon was pulled on me, the National Guard pulled up off the Eisenhower Expressway.? I was living on Congress and Home in 3340 West Congress and pulled up out the tank. Back then we called it the army tank. The army tank pulled up, pointed the barrel right at our house.” NBA Legend Isiah Thomas [https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-463402114.jpg]NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 13: Former NBA player Isiah Thomas attends NBAPA All-Star Youth Summit: Real Talk on February 13, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET) Isiah Thomas’s family had a strong history of activism while they lived on Chicago’s west side. His parents actively took part in civil rights marches and protests, establishing action as a family tradition. Given his experiences, he could easily have taken on the role of a public activist. WHAT DROVE ZEKE TO CONSIDER LIFE AS AN ACTIVIST? The Black Panther Party was quite influential in Isiah’s neighborhood. Michael Jordan Despised Pistons Legend So Much That 1 Reality Check ?Stopped Him in His Tracks? [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-basketball-news-do-you-want-people-to-start-thinking-of-you-like-isiah-thomas-michael-jordan-despised-pistons-legend-so-much-that-one-reality-check-stopped-him-in-his-tracks/] He benefited from the free breakfast served by the Black Panthers as a child. His mother also worked with Fred Hampton, a dynamic figurehead of the group. Unfortunately, the tragic death of Fred Hampton in 1969 exacerbated the situation in the neighborhood. Three riots also broke out in Isiah’s West Side Chicago neighborhood during his formative years. If Isaiah Thomas had gone into the route of Civil rights, we never would have never seen his basketball prowess. Even though he’s retired now, his unrelenting dedication to social justice [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-news-white-privilege-does-exist-in-law-nba-legend-isiah-thomas-speaks-against-rising-racism-in-the-united-states/]continues to shape his legacy. Watch This Story: ?I Never Heard It From Michael Jordan?: Hurt By The Last Dance Betrayal, Isiah Thomas Still Seeks An Apology [https://www.essentiallysports.com/stories/nba-news-i-never-heard-it-from-michael-jordan-hurt-by-the-last-dance-betrayal-isiah-thomas-still-seeks-an-apology] 

Aakash Nair is a Primary Editor for the NBA Legends division at EssentiallySports. Coming from a media background, he has extensively covered the local circuit in Amsterdam as a student. Using the independent newsroom experience, Aakash is combining that with his passion for basketball to publish high quality NBA content. 

Having proofed for organizations like Microsoft and Accenture, Aakash commits to honest coverage. Apart from focusing on relevant contexts and syntax, the role allows him to practice new approaches with the team of writers. 

He helps outline the structure of our NBA coverage and also for the writers to research deep into the latest developments, so the articles he publishes are in top shape.

Aakash Nair

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Ranjitha Ramesh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Ranjitha has a strong foundation in reporting and writing. Her passion for basketball, particularly the Lakers and LeBron James, fuels her desire to delve into the lifestyle and off-court activities of NBA stars. Ranjitha closely follows post-game interviews and analyses, constantly striving to learn more about the game and its players. Ranjitha looks up to the entertaining duo of Shaquille O?Neal and Charles Barkley and very much enjoys their banter-filled insights into the world of basketball.

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?Army Tank Pulled Up, Pointed the Barrel Right at Our House?: Having No Dreams of NBA Growing Up, Isiah Thomas Reveals Muddled Childhood

?Army Tank Pulled Up, Pointed the Barrel Right at Our House?: Having No Dreams of NBA Growing Up, Isiah Thomas Reveals Muddled Childhood

Isiah Thomas opens up about rough life in the windy city

What drove Zeke to consider life as an activist?