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Isaiah Thomas is one of the NBA's most intriguing players. Standing three inches under six feet tall, he uses his lack of height to his advantage. He's able to dribble so much lower than any other players. His shot-creating skills are some of the best in the entire NBA.
As Thomas comes back from injury for the Denver Nuggets, we look back to some of the memorable moments of his career. He's had a very unique career. He's been a part of multiple teams, played with multiple coaches, and has gone through a lot. Hopefully, after having a fuller picture of his career, one is able to truly appreciate what he brings to the game.
1. Averaged 29 a game in Boston and was an MVP candidate.
During the 2016-17 season, Thomas's career hit full circle. He finally had the opportunity to play under an excellent head coach who knew how to employ him on offense. Brad Stevens is considered to be one of the best coaches in the entire league. When they acquired him from Phoenix Suns in a three-team deal where they sent Tayshaun Prince, Marcus Thornton and a draft pick elsewhere, no one had any idea that Thomas would play so well in Boston.
He shocked everyone by averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game in the regular season. He was unstoppable offensively. During crunch time, the team went to him consistently. And he always delivered. He had a span of time where he simply came through in the clutch night in and night out. Until he struggled with injuries and his sister's tragic death in the playoffs, many considered Thomas to be the league MVP.
2. Played under Mike Malone in Sacramento.
One of the pit stops Isaiah Thomas took was with the Kings in Sacramento. Before current Nuggets head coach Mike Malone was let go, he played multiple games with the team over a two-year span. Even though he only averaged 20.3 points per game in his last year, he was playing with a lot of other high-volume offensive players.
3. Played with DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay.
Thomas during his time with the Kings was overshadowed by two big names. Cousins is one of the league's most outspoken and emotional players. However, he was still very effective. He never had the players around him to succeed, which is one reason why the team moved on from him later in 2017.
Gay, on the other hand, is known for taking ill-advised jumpers, forcing offense when it wasn't there. He's one of the most athletic and talented players in the league. He never seemed to improve his basketball IQ, and it caused the Kings organization to remain in the mediocrity of the years.
4. Played in Phoenix under Jeff Hornacek.
Thomas spent one year under offensive specialist Hornacek. He only played 25.7 minutes per game as the team attempted to stagger him and Goran Dragic at the point guard spot. They even played together sometimes, something that was doomed to fail at the start.
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5. Played with LeBron James and Tyron Lue.
During the summer of 2017, the Boston Celtics traded Isaiah Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers. All-star point guard Kyrie Irving had become available, and the team decided to trade Thomas away instead of extending his contract
Thomas then began to rehab from injury. When he came back, he wasn't nearly as effective as he once was. He did not play well with LeBron James on the floor and was benched. It was a terrible situation for Thomas, and he did not thrive.
6. Played with Luke Walton and Lonzo Ball.
The Cavaliers then decided to trade Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers for Larry Nance and Jordan Clarkson. Thomas came to the Lakers and continued to play poorly.
Many wondered if he still hadn't fully recovered from injury. Even though he did play 25+ plus minutes per game and scored 15+, he only shot 38.3 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from deep. He was clearly not the same player.
7. He played for the Washington Huskies for three years.
In college, Isaiah Thomas played for the Huskies for three years. His senior year, he averaged 16.8 points and 6.1 assists while shooting 44.5 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc. He was named first-team All-Pac 10 twice in his collegiate career. He was a very efficient college player, overcoming his size to succeed in a D1 program.
8. Thomas was drafted in the last round with the last pick of the 2011 draft.
The Sacramento Kings gave Thomas a chance in the 2011 draft, taking him with the last pick. Even though he had put up very good stats in college, his size was clearly an issue. How could he guard anyone on the professional level being only 5'9″?
9. Only the ninth player under six feet tall to be named an All-Star.
Thomas was only the ninth player under six feet tall to make an All-Star team. This list includes Calvin Murphy, Ralph Beard, Slater Martin, Fred Scolari, Michael Adams, Terrell Brandon, Dana Barros, and Billy Garbor. Nobody in the modern era of basketball has been able to be an All-Star at such a small height other than Thomas himself.
10. He has played with a total of six NBA teams.
Over his nine-year career, Isaiah Thomas has now played with a total of six teams. This includes the Sacramento Kings, the Phoenix Suns, the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and now the Denver Nuggets. Thomas is now a traveled veteran of the entire league, coast to coast, rival to rival.
