Can IT Keep It Up?

[Big333223]

I think this is the central question to a lot of the decisions the Celtics make this summer: Can Isaiah Thomas maintain this level of production (that is, an All NBA level) for the next handful of years or was this year far and away his best season and any new contract will be paying for past performance?

I have a feeling when John Wall and Kyrie Irving are 29, there won't be the same kind of discussions from their fans about whether or not to sign them to max deals. Not because they're better than IT has been this season, but because they have longer track records of playing at that level and there is an assumption that it will continue. This last season, IT had career highs in points, 2P%, 3P%, FT%, and FTA. This coming season will be very interesting to watch.

Maybe it's just me, but my concern is that IT signs a big deal in 2018 and then never reaches the production/efficiency we saw from him this year.

[Phantom255x]

Well it's not easy to average 29/6 every single season.

But I still think he can be a 25 PPG scorer for the C's and 6-7 assists a game.

I don't see how he can't be a #2 guy on a championship team.

They need premium scorers and IT is one.

[jambr380]

I doubt we will see 29ppg from Thomas again.

That is not to say he won't continue to play at an all-star level or that the Cs won't continue to make progress each season, I just think with the signing of a scorer like Hayward and the development of guys like Brown/Fultz, Thomas will better be able to pick his spots and play within the flow of the offense rather than depending on him to go superhuman every game.

Steph Curry doesn't seem too upset with Durant on GS despite the fact that his scoring is down about 5ppg this year.

[mef730]

Thread title: SO many potential jokes... must... fight... satan... make it up... to him...later...

Mike

[Csfan1984]

The injury is the concern. Prior to it I had faith in IT being very effective for another 3 years.

[Big333223]

Thread title: SO many potential jokes... must... fight... satan... make it up... to him...later...

Mike

I wrote and deleted something about **** in my own first post. TP for the restraint.

I doubt anyone thinks IT is now a 29 ppg scorer for the rest of his prime but can he be a 24+ points with terrific efficiency for the next 5-6 years? I think that's what we'd need to see for a big contract to be worth it.

[Ilikesports17]

Thread title: SO many potential jokes... must... fight... satan... make it up... to him...later...

Mike

I wrote and deleted something about **** in my own first post. TP for the restraint.

I doubt anyone thinks IT is now a 29 ppg scorer for the rest of his prime but can he be a 24+ points with terrific efficiency for the next 5-6 years? I think that's what we'd need to see for a big contract to be worth it.

I think so. Im not sure how serious this injury is, but if he can competely recover from this I think he can give you 24+ on very efficient shooting untill he is at least 32 (4 more years). After that it gets a little shakier, but Ive learned betting against Isaiah is unwise.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I doubt we will see 29ppg from Thomas again.

That is not to say he won't continue to play at an all-star level or that the Cs won't continue to make progress each season, I just think with the signing of a scorer like Hayward and the development of guys like Brown/Fultz, Thomas will better be able to pick his spots and play within the flow of the offense rather than depending on him to go superhuman every game.

Steph Curry doesn't seem too upset with Durant on GS despite the fact that his scoring is down about 5ppg this year.

yup

[hwangjini_1]

Thread title: SO many potential jokes... must... fight... satan... make it up... to him...later...

Mike

You beat me to it.