IT posts a pic of his new "Brinks truck" sandals (UPDATE: ainge responds lol!)

[kmart12]

He's already gone on record as not genuinely thinking about the money.  I've seem him say that in youtube clips.

He's just joking around, folks, let him have some fun.

This pretty much sums it up - TP. I don't understand why anyone would take issue with this (clearly a joke) or take issue with a guy who has performed at an All-NBA level expecting to get paid after years of being underpaid.

[clintonwalker]

Would you guys be excited, if you were about to get at least 100 million dollars, fully guaranteed, that would set up  your family for generations.  Me too.

EXACTLY. Dude is just excited about the prospect of multi generational wealth. We would be too. It's a little old but it doesn't bother me

[jambr380]

Like just about all of us, I am an IT fan - both as a player and what I see of his personality.  That said, I was not crazy about the 4th quarter IT Time thing and I don't particularly like the Brinks Truck.   They are both playful and fun at first but with repetition create a feel (to me) that's a little too self-focused.  When one's thought process becomes tinged with either "I'm cementing my 4th quarter reputation" or "I'm proving they need to pay me",  the goals of team-play and winning are potentially tainted.  I'm not trying to suggest that other players aren't invested in their stats, their brand, their payday.... I'm just suggesting that when they flaunt it, that's behavior that is less appealing to me.   But in general I think IT is great and I'm glad he's on this team this year.

This was a better (and more mature) explanation of what I should have said - TP.

[johnnygreen]

It's almost as if Thomas is trying to convince ownership and management that he is a max player. I wonder if his agent and Ainge have talked about an extension and the two sides don't agree. Is IT planting a seed to the fans as to why he may leave? If the Celtics won't pay him max money, then will he go play for a team that will?

[Jvalin]

I want us to trade him. Worst case scenario, let him walk in a year's time.

There, I said it. Let the hate comments begin.

Why, over a pair of sandals?  I am mocking you because you didn't explain your reasoning.  The phrase "there, I said it" implies you know the person reading it isn't going to like it, and you were right.

Of course not. In all honesty, I've been wanting us to trade him since the day we got him from the Suns.

Last season, IT averaged 29 points and 6 assists per game. In order for him to score 29 points he had to take 19.5 shots per game. Now that we signed Hayward, it's only logical to assume that IT will be taking less shots than that (let's say 16-17 shots). If we had a legit big 3 he would be taking even less (let's say 14-15). Would you play him 34-35 minutes per game in order for him to take 14 shots and give us a few assists? Because that's pretty much everything he does. He is a score-first point guard, his defense is abysmal and he can't rebound the ball.

In other words, IT has to be the go-to guy otherwise he won't be a net positive any more. Problem is, with IT as our go-to guy we 'll never win a championship. It's a vicious cycle. You can't win with him leading the way, you can't win with him as a 2nd-3rd option either. That's the number one reason I want him traded.

other reasons (in brief) :

1. One of the worst (if not the worst) defenders in the league

2. Defensive limitations + way below average height/length means we have to build the whole team around him. All 4 starters next to him must be (at the very minimum) above average on D. The bigs must space the floor as well, cause IT is too short to finish (consistently) through contact at the rim. What this means is, we can never start a traditional rebounder/rim protector next to IT. For instance, guys like Noel (many posters wanted the C's to trade for him at the deadline) are out of the question. Only way for us to add an above average rebounder and not kill our defense is to find a rim protector who can space the floor (Joel Embiid, AD, Myles Turner, Jonathan Isaac to name a few). Good luck with that. For what it's worth, Marcus Morris is a great help defender and floor spacer but he is a way below average rebounder. Horford-Morris may be the worst rebounding frontcourt duo (PF/C) in the league.

3. Terrible shot selection

4. At his best when playing at fast pace -> great player for the regular season, not so much for the playoffs

5. We signed Hayward + Tatum --> IT is no longer our only consistent scoring threat --> he has become more expendable compared to last season

6. Calls out teammates after losses, even in cases when it is obvious that he is the one who should get the blame. For instance, he called out Crowder @Phoenix last season. In that particular game, he even called out CBS for experimenting with different lineups by saying ''For the most part I let him (CBS) coach ( how gracious of him!). He is a very smart dude and he does a good job on the substitution patterns. But, like, tonight I didn't say nothing to him. Maybe I should have, but it is what it is.''!!!!!   

7. Hate the fact that he is always talking about him getting paid. I guess that's what happens when you socialize with vainglorious egomaniacs like Floyd Mayweather.
   


Having said all that, I believe Danny will offer him at least a 3-year max next summer.

[chiken Green]

Not sure what the problem is -  IF this is whats pushing him to be what he is then let it be..

Devil's advocate, but if his motivation is getting paid, what happens to his motivation after he does?

And, if IT is playing for a contract, is his focus more on stats or winning?

I understand why this turns some fans off. In a team game, IT is being very individually focused.

I'll play.

He has made many many references to wanting to the best little guy to ever play the game..  And so far he has played that way.. but becoming  a max player will not be enough to elevate him Over Say Allen Iverson..  He knows that. Heck I bet he has even scoped out the message boards seeing the fans begging for Danny to offer him for Irving..

 No matter what the guy does People always want to trade him JUST BECAUSE HE IS 5'9.  Some even want to have him play out his contract and then simply let him walk.  He does everything to help us win and when we win some complain that they dont like how we won.. 

Bottom line is he is always going to have something to prove in this league no matter how much he makes simply because he is 5'9.  He will always be motivated.

[SHAQATTACK]

That truck won't have Celtics max money in it.

[Jvalin]

That truck won't have Celtics max money in it.

Highly doubt it. The way I see it, if Danny was planning to part ways with IT

- he wouldn't have traded Bradley
- he would have drafted Fultz instead of Tatum

[boscel33]

I'm not liking this at all from IT. Seriously, dude, stop talking about the Brinks truck. We heard you the first 100 times.

Also, what size are his sneakers? Those are like little kid shoes.

TP

I know right.  Focus on your job and you'll get some money (or dealt!).

[tarheelsxxiii]

chiken Green won this thread in a landslide. 

[Rosco917]

I want us to trade him. Worst case scenario, let him walk in a year's time.

There, I said it. Let the hate comments begin.

Why, over a pair of sandals?  I am mocking you because you didn't explain your reasoning.  The phrase "there, I said it" implies you know the person reading it isn't going to like it, and you were right.

Of course not. In all honesty, I've been wanting us to trade him since the day we got him from the Suns.

Last season, IT averaged 29 points and 6 assists per game. In order for him to score 29 points he had to take 19.5 shots per game. Now that we signed Hayward, it's only logical to assume that IT will be taking less shots than that (let's say 16-17 shots). If we had a legit big 3 he would be taking even less (let's say 14-15). Would you play him 34-35 minutes per game in order for him to take 14 shots and give us a few assists? Because that's pretty much everything he does. He is a score-first point guard, his defense is abysmal and he can't rebound the ball.

In other words, IT has to be the go-to guy otherwise he won't be a net positive any more. Problem is, with IT as our go-to guy we 'll never win a championship. It's a vicious cycle. You can't win with him leading the way, you can't win with him as a 2nd-3rd option either. That's the number one reason I want him traded.

other reasons (in brief) :

1. One of the worst (if not the worst) defenders in the league

2. Defensive limitations + way below average height/length means we have to build the whole team around him. All 4 starters next to him must be (at the very minimum) above average on D. The bigs must space the floor as well, cause IT is too short to finish (consistently) through contact at the rim. What this means is, we can never start a traditional rebounder/rim protector next to IT. For instance, guys like Noel (many posters wanted the C's to trade for him at the deadline) are out of the question. Only way for us to add an above average rebounder and not kill our defense is to find a rim protector who can space the floor (Joel Embiid, AD, Myles Turner, Jonathan Isaac to name a few). Good luck with that. For what it's worth, Marcus Morris is a great help defender and floor spacer but he is a way below average rebounder. Horford-Morris may be the worst rebounding frontcourt duo (PF/C) in the league.

3. Terrible shot selection

4. At his best when playing at fast pace -> great player for the regular season, not so much for the playoffs

5. We signed Hayward + Tatum --> IT is no longer our only consistent scoring threat --> he has become more expendable compared to last season

6. Calls out teammates after losses, even in cases when it is obvious that he is the one who should get the blame. For instance, he called out Crowder @Phoenix last season. In that particular game, he even called out CBS for experimenting with different lineups by saying ''For the most part I let him (CBS) coach ( how gracious of him!). He is a very smart dude and he does a good job on the substitution patterns. But, like, tonight I didn't say nothing to him. Maybe I should have, but it is what it is.''!!!!!   

7. Hate the fact that he is always talking about him getting paid. I guess that's what happens when you socialize with vainglorious egomaniacs like Floyd Mayweather.
   


Having said all that, I believe Danny will offer him at least a 3-year max next summer.

This is a solid and well explained reasoning as to why Thomas will not, and should not get the max. Danny will not offer him the max next summer for many of the reasons listed above. Plus, this hip injury thing isn't magically over, it will rear it's ugly little head once again this season.

The Celtics will re-position themselves, by getting better two way players, and be less reliant on IT. Don't kid yourself Danny is no fool.

 Like it or not the game of basketball has two sides to it. Ask the Cavs, they'll certainly tell you defense matters.

[celticsclay]

I want us to trade him. Worst case scenario, let him walk in a year's time.

There, I said it. Let the hate comments begin.

Why, over a pair of sandals?  I am mocking you because you didn't explain your reasoning.  The phrase "there, I said it" implies you know the person reading it isn't going to like it, and you were right.

Of course not. In all honesty, I've been wanting us to trade him since the day we got him from the Suns.

Last season, IT averaged 29 points and 6 assists per game. In order for him to score 29 points he had to take 19.5 shots per game. Now that we signed Hayward, it's only logical to assume that IT will be taking less shots than that (let's say 16-17 shots). If we had a legit big 3 he would be taking even less (let's say 14-15). Would you play him 34-35 minutes per game in order for him to take 14 shots and give us a few assists? Because that's pretty much everything he does. He is a score-first point guard, his defense is abysmal and he can't rebound the ball.

In other words, IT has to be the go-to guy otherwise he won't be a net positive any more. Problem is, with IT as our go-to guy we 'll never win a championship. It's a vicious cycle. You can't win with him leading the way, you can't win with him as a 2nd-3rd option either. That's the number one reason I want him traded.

other reasons (in brief) :

1. One of the worst (if not the worst) defenders in the league

2. Defensive limitations + way below average height/length means we have to build the whole team around him. All 4 starters next to him must be (at the very minimum) above average on D. The bigs must space the floor as well, cause IT is too short to finish (consistently) through contact at the rim. What this means is, we can never start a traditional rebounder/rim protector next to IT. For instance, guys like Noel (many posters wanted the C's to trade for him at the deadline) are out of the question. Only way for us to add an above average rebounder and not kill our defense is to find a rim protector who can space the floor (Joel Embiid, AD, Myles Turner, Jonathan Isaac to name a few). Good luck with that. For what it's worth, Marcus Morris is a great help defender and floor spacer but he is a way below average rebounder. Horford-Morris may be the worst rebounding frontcourt duo (PF/C) in the league.

3. Terrible shot selection

4. At his best when playing at fast pace -> great player for the regular season, not so much for the playoffs

5. We signed Hayward + Tatum --> IT is no longer our only consistent scoring threat --> he has become more expendable compared to last season

6. Calls out teammates after losses, even in cases when it is obvious that he is the one who should get the blame. For instance, he called out Crowder @Phoenix last season. In that particular game, he even called out CBS for experimenting with different lineups by saying ''For the most part I let him (CBS) coach ( how gracious of him!). He is a very smart dude and he does a good job on the substitution patterns. But, like, tonight I didn't say nothing to him. Maybe I should have, but it is what it is.''!!!!!   

7. Hate the fact that he is always talking about him getting paid. I guess that's what happens when you socialize with vainglorious egomaniacs like Floyd Mayweather.
   


Having said all that, I believe Danny will offer him at least a 3-year max next summer.

This is a solid and well explained reasoning as to why Thomas will not, and should not get the max. Danny will not offer him the max next summer for many of the reasons listed above. Plus, this hip injury thing isn't magically over, it will rear it's ugly little head once again this season. The Celtics will position themselves, by getting better two way players, and be less reliant on IT. Danny is no fool.

 Like it or not the game of basketball has two sides to it. Ask the Cavs, they'll certainly tell you defense matters.

Number 1 and 2 are basically the same thing. The complaints about his defense are also entirely overblown. Westbrook, Harden and Irving have all been getting lit up for years and we decide to give them a free pass for god knows what reason.

If he takes such horrible shots how is he such an efficient scorer? He shot 46% from the field and 38% from 3... he must be even better than we all thought if these are awful shots. Do you know how many times Paul Pierce shot 46% from the field in his career? 4 times in his 17 year career. Was Pierce always taking terrible shots?

Finally the idea that we need him less cause we have other players that score seems to show a fundamental misunderstanding of how offense and basketball works. IT will make life easier for Hayward and Tatum. You want to have multiple scoring opens to keep the defense spread out and make it easier to attack the rim. Thomas will be even more efficient playing alongside 1 and eventually 2 scoring threats. You don't want to dump Thomas to go back to having one player that can really create offense.. that would be asinine and make singing Hayward completely pointless.

I really don't get or understand all the negativity surrounding IT. Do you guys realize he is probably the most underpaid player in the entire NBA right now? He makes 6 million dollars. He makes less than Andrew Nicholson makes to eat cheerios on his couch. He makes less than Vince Carter does celebrating his 41st birthday. He makes less than Boban Marjanović stretching out gloves on the Pistons bench. He made less than Tyler Zeller did last year trying to figure out how to walk and chew gum at the same time.

You know what? He could have asked for a contract extension or redo THIS offseason and really screwed the team over and/or pouted. He hasn't done any of that and makes a silly joke about getting paid on Instagram in the second offseason in a row where he watched the rest of the players in the league get showered with cash.

Honestly of all the things on the board right now the amount of hate IT gets for being a back to back all-star and leading the Celtics to their furthest run in 6 years while recruiting fellow players and loving Boston is the most embarrassing to me.   

[tarheelsxxiii]

Excellent post, clay.  TP.   The hate for IT is astounding and embarrassing.  I can only attribute it to a broadly poor understanding of basketball, current NBA trends, and the Celtics as a team. 

[HomerSapien]

I like the fact that he is thinking in terms of the "Brinks Truck" full of money, and not the "I'm a max player" mantra you sometimes hear from other FAs to be.  The latter makes negotiations much more limiting because a player has already boxed himself in on a specific contract that's acceptable for someone of his caliber.

He wants to (and deserves to) get paid at the end of this season - no doubt.  But I'm optimistic that the C's and Isaiah will be able to agree on a size of the stacks that is big enough to make Isaiah happy, but far enough under the max that the C's are willing to pay.

[aingeforthree]

Not sure what the problem is -  IF this is whats pushing him to be what he is then let it be..

Devil's advocate, but if his motivation is getting paid, what happens to his motivation after he does?

And, if IT is playing for a contract, is his focus more on stats or winning?

I understand why this turns some fans off. In a team game, IT is being very individually focused.

Turned me off. One 'brinks truck' comment was enough for me.

He will get it in today's game, players, contracts, etc.

Will it be from Boston though ? I don't think so. I think Ainge wants an all star Big with that money, unless he finds that gem with three bullets in the 18' draft.