Isiah Thomas’ appearance on Tuesday’s episode of ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill, and Max show came to an abrupt end after he shockingly got upset over the picture chosen for his phone interview.
The former Detroit Pistons point guard was discussing the NBA Playoffs when Thomas suddenly stopped and expressed his displeasure with the photo, which featured an unsmiling Isiah looking a bit unhappy.
“By the way, I’m looking at my picture,” he told the show. “Come on, Keyshawn [Johnson], y’all doing that to me?”
Isiah continued, “I saw Max Kellerman’s picture up there. I saw your picture up there. Y’all smiling. This the picture y’all put up there of me? What y’all doing at ESPN to me?”
The NBA Hall of fame player was a man of his word and called back moments later after the producers changed the photo.
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Isiah Thomas later called again, and Max and Keyshaun discussed the issue of Isiah’s photo once more, with the latter expressing his understanding of the storied Pistons guard’s outrage about the image.
“I don’t blame him, though,” Keyshaun explained. “You know how many pictures in my career, on the field, and in television and radio, that people use and it’s a frown? Don’t identify me like that! That’s what Zeke is saying.”
Some may argue that Thomas was being over the top about his photo, but a photo can carry powerful connotations. Thomas is known for his smile and being happy anytime he is on television, so he made a valid point.
Just know in the future, ESPN producers will not make this mistake again.
Thomas played 13 seasons for the Pistons. His career averages were 19.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists in 979 regular season games. In 13 years with Detroit, Isiah Thomas became the franchise’s all-time leader in points, assists, steals and games played.
