Just before his death, former Pistons forward George Trapp wanted a message sent to Pacers Coach Isiah Thomas.
  "Tell him I said thanks," Trapp told one of the officers who interviewed him after he was stabbed in January. "Without him, I don't know where I would be."
  Sunday, that message reached Thomas.
  Trapp died from pneumonia Jan. 21, leaving behind grieving family and friends. Police say he was stabbed by his roommate during an argument on Detroit's west side Jan. 11.
  Thomas, who was president of the NBA Players Association when he played for the Pistons, worked with Dave Bing and Archie Clark to set up "The Legends Fund," which helped former NBA players through medical and financial means.
  "We negotiated benefits for former players who were on the downside," Thomas said. "Much of it was medical benefits because a lot of the guys had bad hips and bad knees and required surgeries."
  Trapp was a recipient of such aid. Known for his instant offense off the bench during his playing days between 1973-77, Trapp received help from former teammates and political officials who remembered his days at Cobo Arena.
  "I didn't know he died," Thomas said. "I remember him well. He used to come into the dressing room all loud and laughing."