Isaiah Thomas looked more like his old self in his Lakers debut Saturday night, writes Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. Two days after being acquired in a trade with the Cavaliers, Thomas posted 22 points and six assists and showed flashes of the dynamic offense he displayed in Boston.
“I wanted to bring something to the table,” Thomas said. “I felt like I got my powers back playing on this team.”
During a Friday night dinner with coach Luke Walton, Thomas received a crash course in Lakers philosophy. He studied the team’s playbook on his iPad, but admitted he had little knowledge of the plays when he took the court last night. It barely mattered as his natural talents took over.
“He brings another dimension to what we have,” Walton said. “When he is able to control pick-and-rolls and get people shots, obviously we couldn’t run a ton of stuff because he has been with us for one day, but he was good.”
There’s more this morning from Los Angeles:
- Thomas’ duties with his new team will include serving as a mentor for rookie point guard Lonzo Ball, Youngmisuk adds in the same story. Lakers president Magic Johnson said Ball, who has been sidelined since mid-January with a knee injury, will remain in the starting lineup when he returns. “I mean, that’s fine,” Thomas said. “I have been in the league six more years than he has. Obviously, I am going to help him out. We are part of the same team, he’s a special young player, and he is going to be an incredible talent in this league for years to come. My job is to help where I can. I am still in my prime. So it is not like I am taking a backseat to anybody. I am here to be who I am and here to make a difference on this team, and I am excited about the opportunity.”
- Clippers guard Austin Rivers is focused on making the playoffs after missing nearly six weeks with an injured right ankle, relays Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Rivers was diagnosed with post interior ankle impingement and had to have anti-inflammatory injections to keep the swelling down. He said he did so much conditioning work that he wasn’t tired when he returned to the court Friday. “Yeah, man, it has been 18 games. That’s the most games I’ve ever missed,” Rivers said. “It was new for me. I had to take that rehab process more seriously. But I feel great, though.”
- DeAndre Jordan remained with the Clippers through the trade deadline, but the veteran center still isn’t sure he’s in the team’s long-range plans. In a video tweeted by ESPN’s Sports Center, Jordan responded to a reporter’s question of whether he feels wanted in L.A. by saying, “What you think?” When the reporter said, “I don’t know,” Jordan retorted, “Me neither.”
Thomas is playing out this year hoping to sign a big contract. He won’t be a laker next season unless he is clearly outstanding.
So that means he won’t be a Laker next season.
He’s playing for a FA contract. So he’s going to say all the right things and play hard and score points and be a team player to the extent of him getting paid. The end. When he does sign somewhere….it won’t be to come off the bench
He’s barely saying the right things.
Came out he didn’t want to come off the bench at first but I guess he has to so he has no choice.
Then after his first game he said he was in the zone again, found himself again, no mention that the team lost. Doesn’t care about the team stuff, it’s is he on track or not.
Used to like him, now he’s like entitled because he was the man for one full season. Lights out for one year does not a career make.
Almost like Derrick Rose, he has to prove himself again after big injury. Best of luck to him though. The more great players we have the better. I hope he finds a good fit this summer.
Fun to watch… can always get open… finds cutters. He just timed out in Cleve.
Predict Orlando, if they don’t draft Trae Young.
Who gives IT the Brinks truck deal? He is defensive liability and will cause issues in locker room. I would not write that check. And the injury unknown…..will be interesting.
I would rather have him at point than Ball. He can actually make his free throws and shoots good percentages. Him being a problem in locker room is only worry. They should trade Ball and see if any takers.