So do people still think IT is not a legit all-star player?

[hpantazo]

I've seen countless posts about how he's too small to be a true star on a good team, and how he isn't a legit star unless he can lead in the playoffs where it counts.

Well, he scored a career high 42 points last night to lead an undermanned Celtics team to a playoff win over a very good Hawks team. Do people still think this guy is not a legit star player on a good team?

[jambr380]

Oh, I think people see IT as an all-star and he has more than proven doubters wrong by playing even better after the all-star break, I just think they can't get over the idea that a player of his stature should actually be a starter.

It is the reason he is signed to such an undervalued contract and it is the reason we gave up almost nothing to get him.

*Yawn* at the 6th man argument - all top scorers would be better 6th men, it doesn't mean they aren't capable of starting.

[GreenWarrior]

I'm sure even Atlanta would tell you they weren't going to completely shut IT down the whole series. he was bound to have a decent game eventually.

as for all these doubters of IT being an all-star who are these people? if you mean superstar? then yeah, I definitely don't think he's a superstar. there's a difference.

but just because IT goes off for 40 doesn't sway me a bit. didn't ricky davis score 40 pts before?

[hpantazo]

I'm sure even Atlanta would tell you they weren't going to completely shut IT down the whole series. he was bound to have a decent game eventually.

as for all these doubters of IT being an all-star who are these people? if you mean superstar? then yeah, I definitely don't think he's a superstar. there's a difference.

but just because IT goes off for 40 doesn't sway me a bit. didn't ricky davis score 40 pts before?

Did Ricky Davis score 40 in a playoff win? I don't think so.

[LarBrd33]

I've seen countless posts about how he's too small to be a true star on a good team, and how he isn't a legit star unless he can lead in the playoffs where it counts.

Well, he scored a career high 42 points last night to lead an undermanned Celtics team to a playoff win over a very good Hawks team. Do people still think this guy is not a legit star player on a good team?

It was a huge game, hp.  That's the game I have been waiting for.  The concern was that he couldn't get it done in the playoffs.  He struggled the first two games, but there's no doubt tonight was a star making moment.

He needs to keep it up.  I'm excited about the game, but stepping back and trying to have perspective I still think he's a fringe star at most unless he proves he can do it for more than 1 game.  I don't think that's me retroactively moving the goal posts.  My comments earlier this season was that Thomas needed to lead the team on a playoff run for folks around the league to take him seriously as a star.  42 points in a win is huge, but we still might be out of this series in 5 quick games.

I don't think it's a guarantee he's an allstar next year. I don't even think it's a guarantee he's starting next year (see the "IT is a 6th man" thread).  Let's not forget that the Atlanta team we are playing sent 4 guys to the allstar game last season including Kyle Korver.  It's possible to make the allstar game and not be considered a legitimate allstar.

[Celtics4ever]

Let's hope he can do it again, we may need it for us to win.  I think they may put a bigger player on him.

[loco_91]

It was a realllly efficient 42 pts too. 13-15 from the line to put the Hawks in foul trouble. .700 TS%. One turnover.

[Redz]

I'm sure even Atlanta would tell you they weren't going to completely shut IT down the whole series. he was bound to have a decent game eventually.

as for all these doubters of IT being an all-star who are these people? if you mean superstar? then yeah, I definitely don't think he's a superstar. there's a difference.

but just because IT goes off for 40 doesn't sway me a bit. didn't ricky davis score 40 pts before?

Did Ricky Davis score 40 in a playoff win? I don't think so.

He did have an awesome dunk though 

[hwangjini_1]

I'm sure even Atlanta would tell you they weren't going to completely shut IT down the whole series. he was bound to have a decent game eventually.

as for all these doubters of IT being an all-star who are these people? if you mean superstar? then yeah, I definitely don't think he's a superstar. there's a difference.

but just because IT goes off for 40 doesn't sway me a bit. didn't ricky davis score 40 pts before?

Did Ricky Davis score 40 in a playoff win? I don't think so.

yeah, ricky davis was king of the hollow stats. IT is a winner and has impressed me.

[droopdog7]

Where was this thread after the first two games?

[Vermont Green]

There are 15 starting PGs and 15 starting SGs in the Eastern Conference.  To be a "legit" all star in my mind, you have to be one of the top 2 PGs or one of the top 2 SGs.  I don't think that is the case for IT.

Every season though, there are injuries that occur around the time of the all star game and some players that are not top 2 get to be all stars.  It happened for Rondo, it happened for Antoine Walker, and this season, it happened for IT.

I don't know if that means he is a legit all star or not or if he is any less deserving or whatever but it is something different than being one of the top 2 (or 4 if you consider both positions).

[rondohondo]

Ha , he goes 0-7 as the main guy in his career in the playoffs , then he explodes for a 40 point game and all of a sudden these posts pop up . The guy is a clearly very good offensive player , but he is no where near a PP in his prime , who had 6 seasons where he averaged 22+ points .

He is just not a super star player some people want to make him out to be, all-star yes . He can be a great piece to a contender , but he is never going to be a # 1 or probably # 2 option on a legit contending team. I don't think anyone said he doesn't deserve to be an all-star this year .

[jambr380]

There are 15 starting PGs and 15 starting SGs in the Eastern Conference.  To be a "legit" all star in my mind, you have to be one of the top 2 PGs or one of the top 2 SGs.  I don't think that is the case for IT.

Every season though, there are injuries that occur around the time of the all star game and some players that are not top 2 get to be all stars.  It happened for Rondo, it happened for Antoine Walker, and this season, it happened for IT.

I don't know if that means he is a legit all star or not or if he is any less deserving or whatever but it is something different than being one of the top 2 (or 4 if you consider both positions).

Rondo and Walker were all-stars for several consecutive years, I don't think either was a fluke. IT certainly still needs to prove himself to remain a consistent all-star and overtaking a guy like Irving will be tough, but if the Cs continue to improve and he maintains 20+PPG, it will be really hard to leave him off. Remember, it is not broken down by exact position, so he really only needs to be one of the top 5-6 guards, not 2 PGs.

[Csfan1984]

I didn't think he was a true all star but man he can have some great games. And he has had a wonderful season. He is an all star right now.

[showtime]

If he had a couple of other guys who teams would have to guard, he would be even better!!  It's hard to take it to the hole when there are 4 guys packed in waiting for you.