The Denver Nuggets took a gamble on Isaiah Thomas this off-season, and the burden he's about to undergo is all too familiar to veteran free agent Jamal Crawford.
Crawford, much like Thomas, is a score-first guard who understands better than most what the preparation and commitment look like in order to get buckets in the NBA.
Crawford, now 38 years of age, has been around for what seems like forever and took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Brandon ‘Scoop B' Robinson of Basketball Society Online about the burden Thomas will be taking for the Nuggets this season.
“I know the chip on his shoulder is huge, it’s like a boulder for him,” Crawford said. “I know his preparation, I know how bad he wants it, I know how great he is, I know how great he will be.”
“In Denver it’ll be a different role than he had being in Sacramento as the point, but he’ll figure it out,” Crawford assured.
“I have no doubt he’ll have a huge impact in helping that team get to the playoffs. I really believe that. I think he’ll have a terrific year, and he’ll be able to get back to the player free agent market next summer.”
Despite his injury struggles, it’s clear Thomas is still well-respected among his peers. His heart and desire to succeed despite being undersized is a trait people gravitate to, and fellow ballplayers are no different.
The 5-foot-9 guard has signed for the veteran minimum in Denver, which illustrates this move was all about basketball and building his reputation again. What he’s achieved in the league is already admirable, but he isn’t satisfied just yet.
In a world full of doubters, Thomas has become an expert in proving people wrong, and he’ll have his sights set on doing just that come next season as the world watches.
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