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Isaiah Thomas Signs To Play In G League Showcase Event
ChillyDawg
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CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/former-all-star-isaiah-thomas-will-play-in-g-league-showcase-as-his-nba-comeback-attempt-continues/
Clutch Points (click for full article) https://clutchpoints.com/3-teams-that-should-sign-isaiah-thomas-asap/
3 Teams That Could Use Sign Isaiah Thomas
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been haunted with numerous injuries already all throughout the season as they have slipped to a below .500 record. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are their two stars that will miss majority of the season because of long term injuries, thus they could sign a scoring point guard in Thomas. He could aid Nikola Jokic and Will Barton with the scoring responsibilities because of his ability to break down the defense and create his own shots easily.
The concern for Isaiah Thomas is his lack of defensive prowess, but they could formulate schemes to mitigate his weakness. Moreover, he could play behind Monte Morris initially as he tries to find his rhythm in his second stint with Nuggets. Even if his drastic drop in production, this is a massive opportunity for Thomas to revitalize his career and prove once again that he deserves a spot in a NBA team.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic has been impeccable this season, but there are games wherein his exhaustion is very evident toward the second half. He is tasked to run the offense way too much because the construction of the roster lacks secondary ball handlers that would benefit playing with Doncic. Jalen Brunson is their point guard in the second unit, but he is having an up-and-down season so far.
The shooters of Dallas have been atrocious this season, which has also could a multiple of problems for Jason Kidd. With the looming possibility of signing Isaiah Thomas, he provides a boost in both departments where the Dallas Mavericks’ continue to struggle.
He could alternate with Brunson in the second unit, or Brunson could even play at the two because of his scoring abilities as well. This move improves on their bench scoring and possibly raising the confidence of their other shooters like Reggie Bullock.
Portland Trail Blazers
Over the past week, Dennis Smith Jr. and Norman Powell have barely rested because the depth of the Blazers has been shallow due to the injuries to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Portland has been on a free fall with the absence of their two stars, and their core has been in the middle of trade rumors recently. If these rumors materialize before the deadline, Thomas is an asset they could acquire.
Isaiah Thomas has the track record to prove that he could even start ahead of Smith Jr. because he could score instantly and force opposing point guards to defend him at any area of the court. Portland is currently flourishing with their offensive schemes as Thomas would start excelling in a system constituted by head coach Chauncey Billups. If Portland decides to head toward the rebuilding stage, Thomas could also be a piece to mentor the young individuals that would be part of this franchise.
As Thomas is striving to reach the NBA level once again, he could fit in many more teams because of his unmatched talent. It did not seem right that no one has given him a serious chance over the last few years, but Thomas still has the brilliant attitude of continuing to work hard and take advantage of whatever is presented to him.
Clutch Points (click for full article) https://clutchpoints.com/3-teams-that-should-sign-isaiah-thomas-asap/
3 Teams That Could Use Sign Isaiah Thomas
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have been haunted with numerous injuries already all throughout the season as they have slipped to a below .500 record. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are their two stars that will miss majority of the season because of long term injuries, thus they could sign a scoring point guard in Thomas. He could aid Nikola Jokic and Will Barton with the scoring responsibilities because of his ability to break down the defense and create his own shots easily.
The concern for Isaiah Thomas is his lack of defensive prowess, but they could formulate schemes to mitigate his weakness. Moreover, he could play behind Monte Morris initially as he tries to find his rhythm in his second stint with Nuggets. Even if his drastic drop in production, this is a massive opportunity for Thomas to revitalize his career and prove once again that he deserves a spot in a NBA team.
Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic has been impeccable this season, but there are games wherein his exhaustion is very evident toward the second half. He is tasked to run the offense way too much because the construction of the roster lacks secondary ball handlers that would benefit playing with Doncic. Jalen Brunson is their point guard in the second unit, but he is having an up-and-down season so far.
The shooters of Dallas have been atrocious this season, which has also could a multiple of problems for Jason Kidd. With the looming possibility of signing Isaiah Thomas, he provides a boost in both departments where the Dallas Mavericks’ continue to struggle.
He could alternate with Brunson in the second unit, or Brunson could even play at the two because of his scoring abilities as well. This move improves on their bench scoring and possibly raising the confidence of their other shooters like Reggie Bullock.
Portland Trail Blazers
Over the past week, Dennis Smith Jr. and Norman Powell have barely rested because the depth of the Blazers has been shallow due to the injuries to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Portland has been on a free fall with the absence of their two stars, and their core has been in the middle of trade rumors recently. If these rumors materialize before the deadline, Thomas is an asset they could acquire.
Isaiah Thomas has the track record to prove that he could even start ahead of Smith Jr. because he could score instantly and force opposing point guards to defend him at any area of the court. Portland is currently flourishing with their offensive schemes as Thomas would start excelling in a system constituted by head coach Chauncey Billups. If Portland decides to head toward the rebuilding stage, Thomas could also be a piece to mentor the young individuals that would be part of this franchise.
As Thomas is striving to reach the NBA level once again, he could fit in many more teams because of his unmatched talent. It did not seem right that no one has given him a serious chance over the last few years, but Thomas still has the brilliant attitude of continuing to work hard and take advantage of whatever is presented to him.
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Grand Rapids Gold Team Site https://grandrapids.gleague.nba.com/
NBA: Isaiah Thomas gets it done in the 4th quarter, dropping 29 of his 52 in the 4th quarter as the Celtics defeat the Heat on the 2nd night of a back to back (2016).
Silver And Screen Roll https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2021/12/14/22836354/isaiah-thomas-lakers-rajon-rondo-free-agency-memphis-grizzlies-contract-buyout
ABC 13 On Your Side News: Former NBA All-Star Isaiah Thomas joins Grand Rapids Gold.
WOOD TV8 News: Isaiah Thomas makes his debut with Grand Rapids Gold tonight (Dec. 15, 2021).
CBS Sports https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/russell-westbrook-enters-health-and-safety-protocols-lakers-to-sign-isaiah-thomas-as-replacement-per-reports/
NBA: IT Drops 19 Points In Laker Return!
MLG Highlights: Isaiah Thomas tries to fight Josh Okogie after he hit him in the face.
Isaiah Thomas Pre Game Interview
Isaiah Thomas Post Game Presser
Free Dawkins: Isaiah Thomas Drops 19 Pts In 22 Mins In His NBA RETURN | Lakers vs T-Wolves | Dec 17, 2021
LA Lakers: Post Game Presser
Isaiah Thomas at 27 years old was a borderline basketball miracle. There had been hoopers that stood 5 feet 9 or smaller that were productive, but none could find the bucket with the same ease as IT.
In the 2016-17 season he tallied 28.9 points per game for the first-place Boston Celtics and had the NBA’s highest fourth-quarter scoring average of the past 20 years. He was a Hall of Famer in the making … until suddenly he wasn’t.
On Friday, the 32-year-old Thomas signed a 10-day contract with the depleted Los Angeles Lakers. The league’s hardship exemption allowed him to join the team, which is without several players due to injury and COVID-19 protocols.
Whether he can turn this stint into something more is unknown. But this may be the former Husky’s last shot at NBA glory.
It’s hard to put a label on Thomas’ pro hoops legacy. Depending on one’s perspective, it can be inspiring or depressing.
This is a guy who was selected last in the 2011 draft by the Sacramento Kings but ended up averaging 20.3 points for Sacramento in his third year in the league. This is a guy who signed a midlevel contract with the Phoenix Suns, then ended up fifth in the NBA’s MVP voting a year after being traded to the Celtics.
Yes, his defense was always a little suspect. There were few players who couldn’t shoot over him at will. But Thomas’ offense was so dynamic that a max contract — or at least something close to that — seemed inevitable. Then he hurt his hip in the 2017 Eastern Conference finals and has never been the same.
Can you feel bad for an athlete who’s racked up more than $33 million in his career? Assuming he hasn’t blown his money, Thomas should be in the top one percent in the country financially. But had that injury come a year later — his Suns-turned-Celtics contract expired in 2018 — he might have been making $33 million per year. After being traded to Cleveland, he played just 32 games in the ’17-18 season — 15 with the Cavaliers and 17 with the Lakers — and though he averaged 20.3 points, he shot a ghastly 37.3 percent from the field.
The mobility just wasn’t the same. The explosiveness was muted. Thomas once quipped that the Celtics were going to have to “bring the Brinks truck” to re-sign him. But he ended up inking a one-year deal with the Nuggets for just over $2 million.
There was no resurgence from the Tacoma native.
He averaged 8.1 points on 34.3 percent shooting in his lone season in Denver. He played 40 games with the Wizards the next season but was waived one day after being traded to the Clippers. Last season he played three games for the Pelicans, and now … well, here we are.
Thomas will always be beloved in the Pacific Northwest. He starred at Curtis High School in University Place and led the Huskies to the NCAA tournament in three seasons. His “coldblooded” buzzer beater vs. Arizona in the 2011 Pac-12 tournament is one of the most iconic shots in men’s college hoops history. But you have to think he wants more.
Thomas reminded folks that he’s built a little differently when he dropped 81 points in the Crawsover Pro-Am game in Seattle last summer. Sure, that league features All-Star Game-type defense, but it was still a feat. And on Wednesday he put up 42 points on 16 of 30 shooting in his G League debut, which very may well have piqued the Lakers’ interest.
Perhaps this 10-day contract will be it for Thomas. Maybe he’ll vanish back into obscurity once the Lakers get healthy. But once a star, always a threat, right? The man is only 32. You never know for sure.
On Thursday, Thomas tweeted “give all the glory to God.” He knows this opportunity was far from inevitable. Lose just a half step in the NBA, and you may never get another shot. But here he is.
Isaiah has always played the role of the underdog. It’s a role he has thrived in. Over the next week and a half, we’ll see if he can resurrect his star power. His basketball future depends on it.
The Comeback Story Of Isaiah Thomas Is Incredible
Isaiah Thomas 13 pts (3 Threes) vs Bulls
MLG Highlights: Russ misses a lay up, IT tips it in and Russ proceeds to get a tech.