IT updates his injury status

[Roy H.]

All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas told ESPN that he has made significant progress with his injured hip toward a return in the 2017-18 season and has a message for NBA teams doubting his long-term prognosis.

"I am not damaged," Thomas told ESPN on Tuesday. "I'll be back, and I'll be the same player."

"There's never been an indication that I wouldn't be back, and there's never been an indication that this is something messing up my career," Thomas told ESPN. "Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be, but I'm going to be back, and I'm going to be the same player again. No doctor has told me anything different than that."

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20501325/isaiah-thomas-says-return-hip-injury-same-player

[tarheelsxxiii]

Hope the best for the little guy, and suspect he'd play even better if he was "damaged."  We should've started a GoFundMe or Kickstarter to contribute to a max contract in Boston.

[j804]

Him coming out and saying this honestly just killed any leverage they might have had. Even after he's traded he's helping the Celts and looking out for himself of course. Poor guy you hope he comes back and kills it just not against us. Lol

[cons]

good enough for me! lets move forward!!

[celticinorlando]

Good. Finish the deal

[tarheelsxxiii]

Good. Finish the deal

We're trading you to LibertyBallers, if you don't cool your jets.

[celticinorlando]

Good. Finish the deal

We're trading you to LibertyBallers, if you don't cool your jets.

Impossible. I am banned from that site already.

[Ilikesports17]

Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be

not the most encouraging quote.

lets get this deal done and get Kyrie in green.

[colincb]

Thomas did not yet want to speak about the emotions of a possible departure from Boston or arrival in Cleveland. Thomas has been consulting with renowned hip specialist Dr. Bryan Kelly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

"He told me, 'I have seen hips worse than yours with guys who played at a high level and had great careers,'" Thomas told ESPN. Ever since Thomas' physical with the Cavaliers on Friday, there has been significant uncertainty within the organization about when - or if - Thomas could play this season, league sources told ESPN. Those doubts led to Cleveland seeking additional compensation from the Celtics.

[Fan from VT]

Honestly, feel a little bad for IT.

Presumably, Cleveland is overblowing the concern re: his hip to gain re-negotiating power vs Boston. But some of these leaked statements are really harming IT's potential earnings this next offseason; a lot of teams that might consider him in free agency might be a bit more hesitant now. I'd be upset if I were IT.

[CelticsElite]

Maybe I am not going to be back as soon this season as everyone wants me to be

not the most encouraging quote.

lets get this deal done and get Kyrie in green.

that is a bad. Why would he say that? For sure no one will give him a brinks truck after that comment

[Erik]

Good. Finish the deal

We're trading you to LibertyBallers, if you don't cool your jets.

Impossible. I am banned from that site already.

Don't feel bad. I just got banned from fearthesword for calling someone a monumental idiot. In my defense he said that the Celtics need to throw in 2 of the following 3 assets to sweeten the kyrie trade after the hip reneg: Tatum, brown, lal18.

[G-Bones]

Honestly, feel a little bad for IT.

Presumably, Cleveland is overblowing the concern re: his hip to gain re-negotiating power vs Boston. But some of these leaked statements are really harming IT's potential earnings this next offseason; a lot of teams that might consider him in free agency might be a bit more hesitant now. I'd be upset if I were IT.

I agree.  IT is getting screwed over by the Cavs, and their motives are bush league.  A poor way to run an organization.

[wayupnorth]

Even though I have come to hope the trade finalizes, because I think it is a good one, I will always have a lot of love for Isaiah. I have his jersey, and will continue to rock it. I am glad that at least Danny got him into a situation where he is still playing important ball.

While I pray this trade goes through, Isaiah is incredible, and the Celtics are far better for having him here.

[jambr380]

Honestly, feel a little bad for IT.

Presumably, Cleveland is overblowing the concern re: his hip to gain re-negotiating power vs Boston. But some of these leaked statements are really harming IT's potential earnings this next offseason; a lot of teams that might consider him in free agency might be a bit more hesitant now. I'd be upset if I were IT.

These are also my thoughts. Initially, I thought it was a great way for IT to maintain his leverage for a max (or near max) contract. It wasn't likely to be from the Cavs, but playing for a fantastic team like the Cavs and very likely going to the finals would have put him on the right trajectory.

We were afraid IT wouldn't have wanted to play with Boston if the trade was voided; but now I have to think that IT is even less than psyched to go and play for a team that so publicly attempted to decrease his value just for their own minimal gain.

Either way, good for IT coming out and defending himself while also remaining respectful to all parties. Outside of the Brinks truck stuff, the guy is all class (and all heart!).