IT opens up about playing in Boston

[ozgod]

Brad Stevens, his former coach, is now president of basketball operations. And he has had numerous opportunities to sign Isaiah Thomas, even to a 10-day deal. But, privately, the organization believes Thomas wouldn’t play much and is below average defensively, and Stevens is hesitant to burn a roster spot, especially facing potential backlash if Thomas doesn’t have a 10-day contract renewed. – via Boston Globe

And I totally agree. Too many downsides for too little upside. Expectations would be too high, it would create a distraction for the team. It's easy to re-visualize the player that IT was 5 years ago (yes it was that long) and think that we're going to get someone close to that. It has been out of the NBA for at least a couple of years now and before that his injury had affected his form anyway. That ship has sailed long, long ago. The 2016 IT isn't walking through that door.

[todd_days_41]

https://youtu.be/zVcrrYJiagA

Wow. After everything that’s been said, he genuinely still wants to come back to Boston. At one point he even says that he was disappointed that Brad hasn’t made the call, and it’s not like there was no effort on his part to basically say that he wanted to return. I’m a huge IT fan, but there must be some reason why Brad doesn’t want him back. Thoughts?

Brad and Ime are jettisoning everyone who can't play defense, I guess with the exception of Stauskas and the two-way guys.  IT wouldn't get any playing team under Ime.

I still would like him back, if for no reason other than a mascot.

But this is precisely why they won’t sign him. No reason to have the distraction from media and others if there’s zero chance he plays.

[Vermont Green]

Isaiah's season in 2026/17 was generational.  Averaging 29 pts on only 19 shot attempts per game, and in games that mattered, with not a whole lot else around him.  He carried that team on his shoulders.  Up there in the discussion with a lot of really good individual season performances of all time Celtics.  And for the 60th pick in the draft.  Truly amazing.

That was 5 years ago now though.  As sad as it is to see it happen to such a likeable guy as him, he is a very different player now and it is an understandable business decision to not sign him.

My kind of "real time" Celtics memories start around Havlicek.  Since then, you have had great single seasons from Bird, Pierce, and a few others but isn't that one season by IT right up there in the discussion?  It was just one season of course but still.  That is actually how I prefer to remember IT as a Celtic.  In a way, maybe it is just as well that we don't bring him back to wave a towel.

[tonydelk]

https://youtu.be/zVcrrYJiagA

Wow. After everything that’s been said, he genuinely still wants to come back to Boston. At one point he even says that he was disappointed that Brad hasn’t made the call, and it’s not like there was no effort on his part to basically say that he wanted to return. I’m a huge IT fan, but there must be some reason why Brad doesn’t want him back. Thoughts?

I tried to stay out of responding but for my love for IT I just couldn't.  I love IT.  He will forever be fondly remember in my Celtic Memories.  He just defied what the typical NBA player is supposed to be.  He ruined his career playing hurt and how was he rewarded?  Left on the outside looking in.  There are a lot of players on rosters that are not better then him.  Just taller and younger.

I think the biggest reason he was not signed is the attention it would put on the team.  What happens if after a 10 day contract he's not resigned or if he signed for the rest of the season he's left go after the season ends.  There would be a lot of negative attention and lash back that just isn't needed.  Do you really want to take up a roster spot for a few years for IT just to appease us fans?  IT does not fit the Celtics style of play and they are sticking to what works in their system.  I love IT.  I would jump for Joy if he played for the C's again it's just unfortunately not happening.  I will always root for the little guy though and hope he gets a few more years in the NBA.

[Roy H.]

I thought this was the interesting part:

Also circulating, Thomas believes, is the idea that he would demand the same role he previously had with the Celtics and the organization would be pressured by Thomas loyalists to play him, especially if the Celtics were to lose. Thomas, 33, said he’s willing to accept any role with an NBA team on a standard contract. “It sucks because that’s just the outside talking,” he said. “Nobody’s ever asked me what I think of situations coming to a team and not playing. Nobody’s asked me that, straight up. And when they do, I tell them exactly what I told you. Whether I play or not, I can make a positive impact in any organization each and every day. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Isaiah Thomas: “That’s unfair and that’s something that I can’t control, and that was the big reason that Brad and even Danny years ago, when I offered to come back and tried to come back, it was like, ‘Man, the pressure from the outside. The pressure from the fans.’ I can’t control that. They want to see me play, but I’m not going to egg it on and say, like, ‘Yeah, since they’re calling my name to play, I should be playing.’”

I don't think I've ever heard that:  a team won't sign somebody because of external fan pressure to play him.   Is the team thinking that the fans would become a distraction to the other players on the team?  Has that happened with other fan favorites, like Tacko and Scal?

[ozgod]

I thought this was the interesting part:

Also circulating, Thomas believes, is the idea that he would demand the same role he previously had with the Celtics and the organization would be pressured by Thomas loyalists to play him, especially if the Celtics were to lose. Thomas, 33, said he’s willing to accept any role with an NBA team on a standard contract. “It sucks because that’s just the outside talking,” he said. “Nobody’s ever asked me what I think of situations coming to a team and not playing. Nobody’s asked me that, straight up. And when they do, I tell them exactly what I told you. Whether I play or not, I can make a positive impact in any organization each and every day. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Isaiah Thomas: “That’s unfair and that’s something that I can’t control, and that was the big reason that Brad and even Danny years ago, when I offered to come back and tried to come back, it was like, ‘Man, the pressure from the outside. The pressure from the fans.’ I can’t control that. They want to see me play, but I’m not going to egg it on and say, like, ‘Yeah, since they’re calling my name to play, I should be playing.’”

I don't think I've ever heard that:  a team won't sign somebody because of external fan pressure to play him.   Is the team thinking that the fans would become a distraction to the other players on the team?  Has that happened with other fan favorites, like Tacko and Scal?

There's two sides to every story. It's just my feeling, but I don't think that the reasons Brad doesn't want to bring him back have anything to do with fan pressure. There's plenty of non-fan related reasons not to do it that make sense.

[tonydelk]

I thought this was the interesting part:

Also circulating, Thomas believes, is the idea that he would demand the same role he previously had with the Celtics and the organization would be pressured by Thomas loyalists to play him, especially if the Celtics were to lose. Thomas, 33, said he’s willing to accept any role with an NBA team on a standard contract. “It sucks because that’s just the outside talking,” he said. “Nobody’s ever asked me what I think of situations coming to a team and not playing. Nobody’s asked me that, straight up. And when they do, I tell them exactly what I told you. Whether I play or not, I can make a positive impact in any organization each and every day. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Isaiah Thomas: “That’s unfair and that’s something that I can’t control, and that was the big reason that Brad and even Danny years ago, when I offered to come back and tried to come back, it was like, ‘Man, the pressure from the outside. The pressure from the fans.’ I can’t control that. They want to see me play, but I’m not going to egg it on and say, like, ‘Yeah, since they’re calling my name to play, I should be playing.’”

I don't think I've ever heard that:  a team won't sign somebody because of external fan pressure to play him.   Is the team thinking that the fans would become a distraction to the other players on the team?  Has that happened with other fan favorites, like Tacko and Scal?

There's two sides to every story. It's just my feeling, but I don't think that the reasons Brad doesn't want to bring him back have anything to do with fan pressure. There's plenty of non-fan related reasons not to do it that make sense.

I really think that it's part of it.  I think the major reason is that IT does not fit their ideal type of player.  The C's are building a roster of long defensive minded players.  PP is about the only player who doesn't have any size and he's still capable defending.  IT just isn't.  I also think that it would be a huge distraction.  If IT was on the C's and they were shooting poorly your darn right I'd be screaming at the TV to put him in. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

It's an unfortunate situation re: IT. He has great heart, and I've no doubt he would be a model teammate again, and wouldn't make any waves, and I'd love to see him back, but I really do believe that many fans would insist on clamoring for him to play, and that could distract a team that's rolling right now.

[radiohead]

I thought this was the interesting part:

Also circulating, Thomas believes, is the idea that he would demand the same role he previously had with the Celtics and the organization would be pressured by Thomas loyalists to play him, especially if the Celtics were to lose. Thomas, 33, said he’s willing to accept any role with an NBA team on a standard contract. “It sucks because that’s just the outside talking,” he said. “Nobody’s ever asked me what I think of situations coming to a team and not playing. Nobody’s asked me that, straight up. And when they do, I tell them exactly what I told you. Whether I play or not, I can make a positive impact in any organization each and every day. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Isaiah Thomas: “That’s unfair and that’s something that I can’t control, and that was the big reason that Brad and even Danny years ago, when I offered to come back and tried to come back, it was like, ‘Man, the pressure from the outside. The pressure from the fans.’ I can’t control that. They want to see me play, but I’m not going to egg it on and say, like, ‘Yeah, since they’re calling my name to play, I should be playing.’”

I don't think I've ever heard that:  a team won't sign somebody because of external fan pressure to play him.   Is the team thinking that the fans would become a distraction to the other players on the team?  Has that happened with other fan favorites, like Tacko and Scal?

There's two sides to every story. It's just my feeling, but I don't think that the reasons Brad doesn't want to bring him back have anything to do with fan pressure. There's plenty of non-fan related reasons not to do it that make sense.

I really think that it's part of it.  I think the major reason is that IT does not fit their ideal type of player.  The C's are building a roster of long defensive minded players.  PP is about the only player who doesn't have any size and he's still capable defending.  IT just isn't.  I also think that it would be a huge distraction.  If IT was on the C's and they were shooting poorly your darn right I'd be screaming at the TV to put him in.

This seems to be a very valid point. The press would have a field day if the Cs signed him to a 10 day and isn’t renewed, or if he is eventually let go at the end of the season. This team doesn’t need that kind of distraction right now. I can’t remember where I read it but there was also the factor of unfairly putting Ime in a spot when fans start chanting IT’s name in order to play him. I think the best probable situation, if he does come back to Boston, would be when he’s retired and is asked to be a coach or executive of some sort.

[18isGREATERthan72]

I thought this was the interesting part:

Also circulating, Thomas believes, is the idea that he would demand the same role he previously had with the Celtics and the organization would be pressured by Thomas loyalists to play him, especially if the Celtics were to lose. Thomas, 33, said he’s willing to accept any role with an NBA team on a standard contract. “It sucks because that’s just the outside talking,” he said. “Nobody’s ever asked me what I think of situations coming to a team and not playing. Nobody’s asked me that, straight up. And when they do, I tell them exactly what I told you. Whether I play or not, I can make a positive impact in any organization each and every day. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Isaiah Thomas: “That’s unfair and that’s something that I can’t control, and that was the big reason that Brad and even Danny years ago, when I offered to come back and tried to come back, it was like, ‘Man, the pressure from the outside. The pressure from the fans.’ I can’t control that. They want to see me play, but I’m not going to egg it on and say, like, ‘Yeah, since they’re calling my name to play, I should be playing.’”

I don't think I've ever heard that:  a team won't sign somebody because of external fan pressure to play him.   Is the team thinking that the fans would become a distraction to the other players on the team?  Has that happened with other fan favorites, like Tacko and Scal?

It's possible that Brad understands the pressure from fans to play certain players (like Tacko) even though they are extremely flawed players.

It's possible that Brad would rather take the pressure of not signing IT than to put the pressure of not playing IT on Ime.

There's floor reasons he's not a great fit obviously.  He just isn't the player he used to be, which even at his best might not play amongst this team that has better offensive options and doesn't carry the defensive liability.

He would quite literally be the 15th guy, and anytime White, or Pritchard were having an off game, the IT chants would probably start.  Both those guys are better than IT now, and that's unfair to those players, as well as the pressure on Ime to play him in those situations.

As I said earlier in the thread, I think there is value to bringing IT back just for the goodwill side of it, and possibly mending some damage that was rightfully or not caused by Ainge amongst players in the league (I'm looking at you, Anthony Davis) but still think that pressure to play him isn't something you want to put on a first year head coach, especially one that is really starting to show his strengths.

Also, I hate the narrative that the Celtics did IT dirty.  How many teams has he played for since we traded him?  Why haven't those teams "done him dirty?"

He was a castaway from the Kings, and had his breakout with us.  Before playing for the Celtics, and after we traded him, he's had no substantial playing time anywhere.  It's very weird to me that the place that gave him an opportunity is the place that "did him dirty."

[Yuckabuck33]

I thought this was the interesting part:

Also circulating, Thomas believes, is the idea that he would demand the same role he previously had with the Celtics and the organization would be pressured by Thomas loyalists to play him, especially if the Celtics were to lose. Thomas, 33, said he’s willing to accept any role with an NBA team on a standard contract. “It sucks because that’s just the outside talking,” he said. “Nobody’s ever asked me what I think of situations coming to a team and not playing. Nobody’s asked me that, straight up. And when they do, I tell them exactly what I told you. Whether I play or not, I can make a positive impact in any organization each and every day. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been.”

Isaiah Thomas: “That’s unfair and that’s something that I can’t control, and that was the big reason that Brad and even Danny years ago, when I offered to come back and tried to come back, it was like, ‘Man, the pressure from the outside. The pressure from the fans.’ I can’t control that. They want to see me play, but I’m not going to egg it on and say, like, ‘Yeah, since they’re calling my name to play, I should be playing.’”

I don't think I've ever heard that:  a team won't sign somebody because of external fan pressure to play him.   Is the team thinking that the fans would become a distraction to the other players on the team?  Has that happened with other fan favorites, like Tacko and Scal?

     It's different  but I wonder if an analogy is when Gordon Hayward visited with the Jazz and the crowd chanted for him. Jay Crowder, who played the same position, went into a funk and slumped for a while, if I recall.  The crowd had a real impact on a player's performance. Maybe Brad is trying to save Pritchard's confidence?