Originally the 60th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Isaiah Thomas established himself as one of the best players in the league. In his third season with the Boston Celtics, he averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists while leading them to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Heading into the 2017 NBA playoffs, there was optimism the Celtics could dethrone the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, Thomas' younger sister passed away in a car accident the day before the first round series against the Chicago Bulls began. Despite the circumstances, Thomas still played and led them all the way to Eastern Conference. After losing the first two games against the Cavaliers, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a hip injury.
As a result of the Kyrie Irving trade, Inside the NBA on TNT analyst Kenny Smith hates how the Celtics traded Thomas according to NBA Network:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE8gl_hBZb8
When Thomas was traded to the Cavaliers, some Celtics fans burned his jersey. Unlike LeBron James leaving the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2011, it was not the two-time All-Star's decision to be traded and it is unfortunate considering the circumstances.
In a time when superstars are heavily criticized for leaving their teams in free agency, some fans expect them to be loyal when these type of situations can occur. The league is ultimately a business and Thomas will have an opportunity to make his first NBA Finals appearance alongside James.
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