Thomas Not Looking for MVP : Pistons: Guard was more concerned with winning another title than winning over reporters.

His halo and reputation askew, that pug nose on his angelic face bloodied, Isiah Thomas, 29 years old and on the verge of also-random, finally got it right.

His Detroit Pistons became back-to-back champions. Thomas, who no longer gets voted to the first, second or even third all-league team, became an official MVP, most valuable player of the NBA finals.

“That he was voted MVP is insignificant,” said teammate Bill Laimbeer, “because MVP is based on a five-game series.

“He is our MVP. If you ask anybody on our team, or who sees our team play, they’ll all tell you. This team is his personality. The determination and the drive all revolve around him.

“The fact Joe (Dumars) won the MVP last year was great. We all felt happy for him. But I had a sinking feeling in my heart. It was sad to me because of all Isiah had done over the years. Now that he won it, I feel so warm and happy for him.”

It’s a long time since Isiah, as a brilliant sophomore, led Indiana to the 1981 NCAA title. Though he has had a stellar NBA career, he was beginning to fall from the elite.

He wasn’t voted to the first or second All-NBA teams in 1989, or the top three this season as the John Stocktons and Kevin Johnsons took over. His once-perfect image as a star and community leader drew its first tarnish after his Larry Bird remarks in 1987, and the Adrian Dantley charge a year ago that Thomas had had him traded for Isiah’s buddy, Mark Aguirre. This season Thomas shot 43%, his low since his rookie year.

But he warmed up in postseason and took over in the finals. His 12-point burst in the final 4:16 single-handedly won Game 1. Overall, he averaged 27.6 points, shot 54% and made 68% of his three-point attempts.

Until late Thursday night, he was the only Piston firing. With Thomas resting at the end of the third period with his 27 points, Detroit had five players on the floor with 19 among them.

Then early in the fourth quarter, Thomas ran into Jerome Kersey’s elbow in a loose-ball scramble. He was forced back to the bench with a bloody nose.

“There was some doubt I could return for a while,” Thomas said later. “We couldn’t stop the bleeding. When I first got hit, I was dizzy. I felt like I got hit by Tyson or Buster Douglas or one of those guys.”

He returned with 2:02 left and the Pistons behind, 90-83. Vinnie Johnson’s three-point play and 10-footer made it 90-88. Then Thomas went slashing left-to-right across the top of the circle and canned a pretty 18-footer to tie the score with 20 seconds left.

The Pistons ran the last play for him, but he was double-teamed and kicked the ball to Johnson. Vinnie made the shot. Isiah made MVP.

“I think it’s the best basketball I’ve played, yeah,” Thomas said later. “You know, I worked hard all summer. I came back from Joe’s wedding and I called up (assistant coach) Brendan Malone. He lives, like two blocks away. We went and just shot and shot. I kept practicing, practicing, practicing. It all just came together at the end of the year.

“I didn’t really think about trying to win MVP because I wasn’t voted first or second or third teams. But it’s a very special award because last year, Joe was MVP. This year, I’m MVP. We’re two pretty damn good guards. I don’t care what anybody else thinks, we’re right together.

“Did I worry about being overlooked? The thing I had to make a decision on, was I going to look good for you guys (the press), or was I going to be a winner? And I’ve been a winner all my life. There are a lot of different things you have to do to win, and I wasn’t able to win by getting good stats, looking flashy, looking good.

“The main thing, I just wanted to win. You guys can say whatever you want about me, but you can’t say I don’t know how to win. That’s one thing I know how to do.”