Random Thoughts as Isaiah Adds a Few More Chips on His Shoulders

 This past season, Isaiah Thomas was 5th in the voting for MVP.  He was behind Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and LeBron James. Not bad for a little guy who was picked last in the league and was doubted all season, even by his own fans. One of IT's favorite sayings last season was "Pick me last again." He has used ever slight to motivate him and by now he has enough chips on his shoulder to throw a party.



The odds makers may have added one more chip to his shoulder with their latest odds for MVP for the upcoming season. One might think that Isaiah was 5th in the voting this past season and has vowed to come back even better this season. With the addition of Paul George in OKC, Westbrook probably won't be quite as dominant. And with the addition of Chris Paul in Houston, Harden may be able to let up a bit. Leonard will always be a factor and LeBron has to slow down one of these years.

And, let's not forget that it will be a contract year for Isaiah.  With all that to consider, you would think that IT would be at least 5th this season again and possibly higher. But with the odds that came out, he is way down the list and tied with Paul George and Chris Paul for the 9th best odds to win the award.  Add another chip to his already overflowing supply of chips. 

 And add another chip for the fact that every time you turn around there is a new rumor that has Kyrie Irving linked to the Celtics.  Kyrie to Boston wouldn't be good for Isaiah no matter how he looks at it.  Either he would be included in the package for Irving or he would be demoted to second string point guard and either way, his hopes for a big payoff would take a hit.

With the report from Chris Sheridan that LeBron is definitely leaving the Cavs,  the LeBron trade scenarios are going to start coming out of the woodwork as well.

NBA source said today: "This will be LeBron's final season in Cleveland. He is 100 percent leaving. Relationship with owners beyond repair."

— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) August 16, 2017

I say no to all.  No to Kyrie Irving. No to LeBron James.  Danny should leave the Cavaliers to implode on their own and not help them out by sending the Celtics' talented young players over for an aging LeBron James or for Kyrie Irving who really hasn't distanced himself from Isaiah Thomas.  LeBron has not had a serious injury in his career and he is going to be slowing down one of these days and I have a feeling when he does, it will be all at once.  The Celtics don't need either one of them.

Getting Gordon Hayward was the big splash of free agency for the Celtics and it's very exciting that he is a Celtic.   But, the more I think about it, the more excited I am about the Celtics' new stable of big men.  Daniel Theis is a physical player who can rebound and block shots and was the defensive player of the year in the German League.  He also knows how to win after being a German League champion for the past 3 seasons.

 If you look at the video above  around 17 seconds in, you will see Theis (#10) blocking #41 three times in a row.  #41 is none other than Ante Zizic, the Celtics first round draft pick who played in Europe last season.  Zizic is another physical player who can rebound, block shots and defend in the paint.

Finally, there is Aron Baynes.  I see him as being one of the dark horse better free agent signings of the off season.   Baynes' effort, physicality and size will make a big impact as he protects the paint. Baynes forced opponents to shoot just 46.6 percent at the rim last season. He ranked 10th in the league among players who defended at least four shots at the rim per game.

The Celtics ranked 27th in defensive rebounding rate last season and so Baynes' rebounding will be very welcome. He recorded 10.3 boards per 36 minutes last season with a defensive rebound percentage of 21.6. Baynes ranked an impressive 10th in defensive real plus-minus among centers last season. His presence inside will give the Celtics a front court physical presence it hasn’t since Danny traded Perk. I'll leave you with Ramon Sessions trying to fight through a Baynes screen. It doesn't go very well.

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