New Orleans Pelicans guard Isaiah Thomas was signed by the team recently to a 10-day contract, as the team battles with injuries. Thomas decided to give tribute to the late Kobe Bryant in his own way.
Kobe!!!! 🙏🏾🏁 https://t.co/EvleQqOZdU
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) April 3, 2021
While Thomas and Bryant were never teammates, the latter was a mentor and friend to the undersized guard. The two would go over and study film together. During the tragic death of Thomas' sister in a car accident, Kobe was a source of comfort. Isaiah Thomas was one of the many who were devastated by Bryant's death in a helicopter accident last year.
Isaiah Thomas will make the most out of his short-term deal with New Orleans. It is sad to think that at one point in his career, Thomas was an MVP candidate with the Boston Celtics. In that year, he led the way for the Celtics, helping them finish with the top seed in the Eastern Conference. At the time, he averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 dimes, per game, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.9% from deep.
Unfortunately, a major hip injury hampered his career and his production took a nosedive since. At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Thomas has to rely on quickness and agility to get his shot up and make an impact in the game. The injury took away much of that.
Further, he presents a huge problem on defense. Due to his lack of size, opposing players can easily score on him. While he can be hidden on defense in the regular season, it is a different story in the playoffs, and teams with multiple shot creators can regularly attack Isaiah Thomas.
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