Sacramento Kings’ Isaiah Thomas deserves to be an NBA All-Star
By Bryan Rose
Nov 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Isaiah Thomas (22) dribbles the ball up the court against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at US Airways Center. The Kings defeated the Suns 113-106. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Make no mistake, the point guard position may be the toughest to learn in all of basketball. That’s not to say any position is exactly ‘easy’ to learn, especially at the NBA level but quarterbacking a roster is not a simple task.
It’s why so many vaulted collegiate point guards often struggle to harness the game at the next level or why many struggle to adapt in their early years.
That’s why what Isaiah Thomas has done in two-plus seasons should be considered extremely special.
We all know his story – Mr. Irrelevant. The last player taken in the 2011 NBA Draft. The small stature. Everything that seemingly could go against Thomas has. Yet, not only has he taken those road blocks in stride, he’s blown right through them. Even during his short NBA tenure the former Washington Huskie has dealt with non-needed adversity.
He wasn’t good enough to supplant the odd-ball trio of guards Keith Smart refused to budge from, despite outplaying them. Even under the new regime there were concerns which lead the team to acquire Greivis Vasquez. Again, Thomas shined and outplayed the Venezuelan native which eventually lead to his trade just months after he was acquired.
Finally given the starting role, Thomas continued to thrive.
Case in point (as a starter):
Player A) 21.3 points per game, 7.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 3.2 rebounds – including 47.1% from the field, 44.4% from the arc
Player B) 19.6 points per game, 11.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 4.6 rebounds – including 46.6% from the field, 35.6% from the arc.
Player A is Isaiah Thomas – Player B is Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul.
No – I’m not comparing Thomas to Paul, but statistically the numbers are there for Thomas to be an NBA All-Star. And what we’ve seen from Thomas is plenty enough to understand those are sustainable numbers for the fan favorite.
Yes, Thomas understandably would find a difficult road to New Orleans considering the All-Star game is a popularity contest and there are a handful of fellow NBA talents just as deserving, but Thomas hasn’t received as much as a sniff outside of the Sacramento area in regards to a possible All-Star birth – which is completely unfair. And keep in mind, he’s produced on what was one of the least stable franchises in professional sports before the sale to the Ranadive group – something other players struggled to do.
DeMarcus Cousins isn’t the only Sacramento King who should be representing the franchise at the 2014 NBA All-Star game – and that’s a fact.