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Isaiah Thomas has yet to play his first game in a Denver Nuggets uniform, but he's already making noise in the locker room — as the loudest voice in a group of a relatively quiet bunch. Head coach Mike Malone was given Thomas the green light to be the leader of this team, hoping to channel his fire and competitive spirit into a spark-plug from the bench as the team's sixth man and a veteran voice in the locker room.
“Every day last week, there was a full-on argument where I had to go into the locker room to see what was going on, and right in the middle of it was Isaiah Thomas,” said Malone, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. “Whether it was talking about Magic Johnson and the impact he would have had on today’s game or whether Klay Thompson would be a big-time scorer if he wasn’t on Golden State. Isaiah’s fire, his passion, his willingness to argue and to poke the bear and get other guys talking, I think it’s going to be a great addition for us.”
Malone has gotten to know Thomas throughout the years, having spent time with him as a member of the Sacramento Kings. That rapport has helped him channel what his last two stops couldn't reap out of him — the leadership aspect that made him such a high-octane scorer with the Boston Celtics.
“These guys are quiet. I’m just making people talk; that’s all it is,” said Thomas, who has wasted no time getting comfortable since signing a one-year deal with the Nuggets in July. “We’ve gotten into a few arguments about basketball. It’s fun arguments, though. The other day I was in here for an hour and a half extra arguing with these guys. I almost got in trouble with my wife because I was here too damn long. It’s all about opening up, making sure guys are comfortable and having a good time at all times.”
Thomas hasn't scored his first bucket in baby blue yet, but he's already racking up the tally with his teammates — developing the camaraderie despite not having shared a minute of court time.
