Tracking Isiah Thomas

* In spring of 1981, as a sophomore, Isiah Thomas leads Indiana to the NCAA title.

* In 1981 NBA draft, Thomas is taken by Detroit with the second pick. He plays 13 seasons with the Pistons, wins two NBA championships and becomes the franchise’s all-time leader in points, assists, steals and games played. Thomas is named to the All-Star team every season except 1994 and is voted the most valuable player in 1984 and 1986.

* In the late 1980s and early ‘90s, Thomas serves as president of the NBA Players Assn.

* In May 1994, after retiring, Thomas becomes part owner and executive vice president of basketball operations for the NBA expansion Toronto Raptors.

* In October 1999, Thomas purchases a majority ownership in the Continental Basketball Assn., eliminating individual team owners and proposing to make the league a “farm team” system for the NBA.

* In July 2000, Thomas signs a multiyear contract to replace Larry Bird as coach of the Indiana Pacers. Unable to find a buyer for the CBA, Thomas is forced to put his ownership of the league in a blind trust.

* In February 2001, financial problems force the CBA to suspend operation, and some angry coaches and players blame Thomas for the demise of the league.

* On Oct. 13, 2000, Thomas is inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

* On Aug. 27, 2003, Bird, having returned to the Pacers as president of basketball operations, decides to fire Thomas.

* On Monday, Thomas replaces the fired Scott Layden as New York Knick president.

From Times Wire Services