The lessons in this book came from Mary Thomas, my mother and role model whose own life exemplifies determina-tion and perseverance. I owe her everything.

As Gladys Knight sang, If anyone should ever write my life story.... The best thing that has ever happened to me is my family: my wife, Lynn, and our children, Josh and Lauren. This book, and all that I do, is dedicated to them.

Isiah Thomas has suczeeded at every level of his career. Now, in The Fundamentals, Coach Thomas offers the most important life fundamentals he’s identified in his own journey; eight principles that will drive you to higher peaks in your life and career. Coach Thomas reveals how you can acquire the focus ard commitment it takes to be a champion. The Fundamentals shows you how to be a leader of integrity, courage, and generosity, and how to act based on what you believe in so that you can achieve your life,s mission.

Through it all, Coach Thomas shares stories from his life on and off the court that illustrate the strategies that allowed him to see beyond his cir-cumstances to his poisibilities.

Here are hard-earned field-tested, and easy to grasp fundamentals that will get you off the bench and into the trenches.

INTRODUCTION 1

1. DREAMS ARE DOORWAYS 21

2. MEASURE AT THE ROOT 45

3. GO DEEP FOR COMMITMENT 63

4. LEARN FROM THE BEST  87

5. LEADERSHIP FROM THE INSIDE OUT 117

6. LIVING WITH VALUES  146

7. OPPORTUNITIES ARE GOLDEN 174

8. THE BEST PRESENT 193

AFTERWORD 207