Quote:He knows he's fortunate. His NBA career has dealt him the comfortable hand of not needing to coach for the money. If he gets canned in April, his pride may take a hit but his bank account will be just fine.

"I know the rest of these guys, they can't say that," says Thomas, who donated this year's salary to charity. "For them, this is about money and survival. Me, I'm here because I want to be here."

As he talks, a slow smile creeps across Isiah Thomas' face.

This isn't where he needs to be for now.

This is where he always wanted to be.