Isaiah Thomas, now of the Denver Nuggets, feels that the league has forgotten that just last year he was considered one of the best players in the entire NBA. But for Danny Ainge, general manager of the Boston Celtics — the team where Thomas solidified his name, the 5'9″ guard did a whole lot for the organization. And he's nothing but grateful for that.
Ainge believes that Thomas made the Celtics a legitimate basketball team. On and off the court, he was trying to get things done. Ainge admitted that Thomas has gained his respect:
“Isaiah added credibility to our team by making us a legitimate basketball team,” Ainge told Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. “And on top of that he was very entertaining.
“But he was all-in. He was all-in for the team. He was recruiting Al Horford to come. He was recruiting Gordon Hayward to come to play with him. He’s earned a lot of respect in my eyes.
“He was a big part in the perception of our team at that time, no doubt.”
Ainge also looked back on the day he had to let go of Thomas, noting that it was one of the toughest decisions he's had to do as the Celtics' general manager.
“Are you kidding me? That was very difficult,” Ainge said. “You know, making the deals for Isaiah and Avery (Bradley) were two of the toughest things I’ve had to do in this job. I’ll always have a fond place for those guys and root for them and cheer for their success. But, yeah, those were two hard moves to make.”
Thomas is now on a quest to prove to everyone that he's still an elite player. Although getting that opportunity has already cost him millions, but chances are he doesn't mind.
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