?It Was Easier When I Was on Dr*gs?: Losing His Brother to a Deadly Addiction, Isiah Thomas Shares Painful Memories of His Guidance

Before joining the NBA and fighting against great teams and players, most NBA stars have taken arms against far more unfavourable circumstances in their life. The Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas is one such NBA star who learnt life the hard way. Growing up in an impoverished family and an infamous neighborhood, the 2x- NBA champion sought refuge in basketball. It was Thomas’ brothers who instilled in him a love for the sport. Touching up on his personal life, the NBA legend has recently revealed a sorrowful story about one of his elder brothers.

Isiah Thomas grew up watching his brothers play basketball. Thomas’ elder brother, Lord Henry was his mentor. However, Lord Henry was not able to achieve what his younger brother achieved. Henry’s life took a tragic turn on the back of his vices.

Isiah Thomas recollects his brother’s memories in pain

During Isiah Thomas’ childhood, he never got a chance to watch the NBA on television. Therefore, basketball talents in the neighborhood were his heroes. Thomas’ brother Lord Henry was one such hero as the latter, then held the scoring record for his high school team.

Speaking of his hero, mentor and brother Henry, the Pistons legend said, “The way he taught me to play the game. It was all spiritual, you know.” His brother’s spiritual lesson was that one must not just play basketball, rather one should feel it.

The 2x- NBA champion’s memories with Lord Henry are not all that sweet and heroic. Thomas’ childhood hero and guide sought refuge in heroin and eventually succumbed to the drug. Alluding to Henry’s drug addiction, the Pistons legend said, “You know, he kicked right, and one thing I remember when he kicked. He said he I am gonna go back to school and while he kicked, he was like, “damn, you know it was easier when I was on drugs.”

In his appearance on Showtime Basketball, Isiah Thomas painfully reminisced Henry’s tragic passing. “His body just shut down with all those heroin and stuff, his body just collapsed,” said Isiah Thomas.

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A big day for Lord Henry and Isiah Thomas

Amidst all the tragic memories of Lord Henry, Zeke reminisced a warm memory of his brother. Despite his drug problem, Lord Henry went back to college and graduated. Thomas was the happiest to see his mentor coming out in flying colors. Not being able to contain his excitement, the Pistons legend hired a bus and took Henry’s friends and family to the graduation.

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As the group attended Lord Henry’s convocation, little did Thomas know that he was going to have an unforgettable experience in his life. “My brother was walking across the stage. Had his cap and gown on. He didn’t know we was gonna be there and all his friends started hollering Lord Henry and man he broke down on the stage and started crying like a little baby,” Thomas added, reminiscing one of the most cherished moments in his life.