Isaiah Thomas recorded his first double-double since he was back with the Celtics, scoring 17 points and dishing out 10 assists in the Wizards‘ 159-158 loss to the Rockets last night. Thomas, who signed a one-year deal with Washington this offseason, believes the team gives him the right opportunity to succeed again in the league, as he told the media on Wednesday, including Hoops Rumors.
“It’s been one injury. That’s all it’s been. Like I always said, if I get the opportunity like I did in Boston, I’d do the same thing,” Thomas said. “The trades I’ve been in, I haven’t had this same opportunity. That’s the only reason that you haven’t seen me play well. I’m just going to continue to work hard, continue to do what I can to win games here. The Wizards are giving me a great opportunity and I can’t thank them enough.”
Thomas was dealt to Cleveland during the summer of 2017 in the Kyrie Irving deal, while he was still recovering from a hip injury. The LeBron James-led Cavaliers shipped him to Los Angeles later that season as part of the package that landed Larry Nance Jr. Thomas left Los Angeles during the 2018 offseason as LBJ joined the Lakers, and found a new home in Denver on a Nuggets team with a deep rotation and not much of need for Thomas’ scoring skills.
Thomas missed the first two games of this season with the Wizards because of a thumb injury, and the team is being cautious with his workload, limiting him to 44 minutes over the past two contests. However, the franchise is impressed with what the 30-year-old brings to the table.
“He was playing well before he got hurt six weeks ago,” coach Scott Brooks said. “I wasn’t expecting it after he missed six weeks, no. It’s hard to do. It’s almost nearly impossible. Especially playing that position, but you know he’s always had the heart of a champion and that’s never going to go away. He plays through injuries, he plays through a lot of difficult things that he’s been through but he comes down and plays hard every night.
“You know I expect him to play well all the time. That’s why we brought him in. Not only to play well, [but] to just be a good leader and a good teammate to all of our younger players.”
One of the best story lines this year. Rooting hard for IT, I would never bet against him!! Heart of a lion for sure
Good for him, I wish him the best. I was a big fan of his when he was on the Celtics and have kind of felt bad for him as far as how rough times have been since. I do still believe with the right opportunity that he can be a really effective scorer in the league again and hope he continues to get that chance this season — and can stay healthy — good luck IT!
Wish all the best for IT. I still think that when he’s not injured he’s a starter in this league. He’s great at getting to rim, and has huge heart and strong mind.
He’s also got himself a good situation in Washington.
The team is without John Wall for the year but he isn’t expected to start and isn’t expected to scorer the most or lead the team cause that’s Beals job. If he plays well he could be in 6th man of the year the conversation aswell as getting a good pay check for next year.
I have no idea why the pistons did not make an offer for him. It makes no sense. He would probably be challenging reggie jackson for his starting job right now.
How do you know they didn’t? Maybe IT didn’t want to come to a team that already has Rose and Jackson. Magic would make more sense.
I’m guessing it has something to do with his terrible defensive play.
Pistons have DRose so I don’t see the connection.
Washington makes sense because John Wall is out and IT can overtake Ish Smith to start. Other teams that would make sense for him are Miami, Knicks, Mavericks and if he was happy to be a back up and try for a ring Portland, Houston and Jazz.
He needs to get back to 20+ ppg to get a real gig somewhere. Just reality. No defense whatsoever isnt en vogue.