How Great Can Isaiah Thomas Be?
by bench_blob on Feb 20, 2012 9:27 PM PST
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When a rookie enters the NBA, it is typically easy to identify his area for growth. For DeMarcus, it was conditioning and attitude. For Tyreke, it was his jumper and an optimal position. For Jimmer, it is adjusting to the speed of the game and a diminished, playmaking role.
Identifying an area for improvement for Isaiah Thomas proves somewhat more challenging.
As a Kings fan, this is genuine cause for excitement.
If I were to offer quick summation of Isaiah Thomas' strengths and weaknesses, the admittedly bias tally would look like this:
Plusses:
* Speed
* Leadership
* Confidence
* Passing
* Shooting range (i.e. effortless 3-point stroke.)
* Lefty (i.e. unorthodox style proves uncustomary to defenders)
* Pesky Defender (on-ball, off-ball)
* Midrange Game (i.e. pull-up jumper, one-footer floater)
Minuses:
* Size
The positives outweigh the negatives 8 to 1, but it gets even better, long-suffering Kings fans. The sole negative is a strength in disguise.
Being limited in stature, and according to Draft Express, Isaiah measured out at 5’8" and ¾ without shoes, or listed at 5’10" with shoes, which makes him the second shortest player ever drafted into the NBA throughout their measurement history (about 20 years, second only to Nate Robinson who measured one inch shorter), and would seem to be serious impediment to long-term success.
Yet lack of height is a detriment only when it is not compensated through favorably comparable strength, which enables a player to his hold position defensively, beat a player to ideal spot on both ends, play through contact, including the nudges and shoves that throw a lesser player off balance (see Pooh Jeter).
A skilled player that happens to be small, but sturdy in stature has a lower center of gravity, can turn the corner more readily on relatively slow-footed ‘bigs’, split double teams with less space needed, and find passing angles amid outstretched limbs with more regularity.
In short, being short in stature is an invitation to create havoc all over the court, if you can command your space amidst the tallest of timber.
In four games as a new starting PG, Isaiah Thomas is staking his claim with authority (19.5 PPG, 6.5 assists, 4 rebounds, 51% FGs, and only 2.25 TOs in 34.5 MPG).
Diminutive in size, yet sizable in impact.
So there you have it. Lack of height is a strength in camouflage. Hence, Isaiah Thomas has no weakness.
New York has Linsanity. Sacramento has….Thomawesomeness?!? (Hey, they can’t all be gems.)
OK, wait, give me a break Blob, quit being an unapologetic homer…Isaiah is shooting 41%, and the team is 1-3 with him as a starter.
Aren’t you going overboard in your unadulterated praise?
Look, a player with special ability jumps off the TV screen. (At least it does mine, revealing of truth and wisdom. I can’t speak for yours, and you know who you are :p)
Isaiah looks ready to make an impact before he checks into the game. The look on his face definitively says "Put me in the game, coach. No, seriously. Put me in. What are you waiting for? Uh, like now, duh.". Isaiah seems perpetually happy. If you were in a place you knew you belonged, knew you could excel, knew you could succeed to considerable effect, you’d be apt to smile too.
Isaiah had the distinct look of a legitimate NBA player since his clutch play as a Washington Husky, during casual pick-up games during the extended lockout, including the Bench Mob Classic. The last four games as a starter are a continuation of the rationally expected.
Ultimately, lack of height is not a deterrent. It is a chip on the shoulder to spur achievement.
The question thus becomes: How good great can Isaiah Thomas be?
Isaiah Thomas reminds me of Denver Nugget Ty Lawson. Bad-ass and ready to bring it. A sense of belonging, a commitment to force tempo, and no hesitancy to take (and make) a big shot. Able to deliver, and leave defenders grasping at air.
Ty Lawson is the starting PG of a plus .500 team. He has a PER of 18.2. He averages 15/6/3 on 47% shooting.
Can Isaiah be this good someday? Or better? I think he can.
Again, according to Draft Express, Lawson and Thomas are comparable physically and athletically.
At first, the comparison seems slanted unfavorably. Ty Lawson measures 2 inches taller (5’10".25 vs. 6’0".25). But guess what, long-suffering Kings fans? Isaiah has a wingspan 1 inch greater than Ty Lawson (6.1".75 vs. 6’0".75) Isaiah ranks better in agility (10.49 vs. 10.98), and in terms of speed they are virtually even (full court sprint: 3.14 seconds vs. 3.12 seconds). Isaiah concedes nothing to Lawson in any other strength or hops measure.
The conclusion is obvious. There is nothing physically or athletically to prevent Isaiah from being a player as accomplished as Ty Lawson.
Next question: How does this happen?
(1) Continue to nurture advantageous relationship with Coach Smart.
Gaining continued alliance with head coach will pay immeasurable dividends. Heeding words of the man who decides playing time will work to your favor, assuring minutes upon the court to spur growth for balance of the season, whether in victory or defeat. Do best to execute strategy, balancing shot distribution fairly, and playing time will be yours.
(2) Improve shooting percentage over 40%.
Isaiah has the quickness to get himself open for looks. His penetration, crossover and step back are tough to defend against most formidable of opponents. Now, make your shots at slightly higher rate. Isaiah has picture perfect form on his jumper. He has a smooth release, and excellent balance. This bodes well to an elevated shooting percentage near 45% FGs with increased playing time, rookie wall withstanding.
(3) Slow down the best guards in the league.
Isaiah likes to pick up near half-court. He likes to get physical. He likes to fight through picks. Keep doing this. Use your strength, quickness and footwork to harass non-stop.
Cue the post-game ice bath.
(4) Involve as many of your teammates as much as possible.
The Kings have a roster of underachievers not named Tyreke, DeMarcus or Marcus. The more that Isaiah can do to generate easy baskets for struggling teammates, the more he can jump start a subset of teammates who need facilitated assistance.
How good great can Isaiah Thomas be?
As good great as a 5' 8" and ¾ player without an identifiable weakness can be.
P.S. Jimmer rules.
(This is a FanPost from a member of the Sactown Royalty community. The views expressed come from the member, and not Sactown Royalty staff.)
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Nice post ! I think within 2 years he will be playing around Lawson or Lowry level
by 2002HauntsME4ever on Feb 20, 2012 9:43 PM PST via mobile reply actions
rec'd.
The excitement IT brings to the team is refreshing in this laborious season. Well written post.
by betweentheeyes on Feb 20, 2012 10:56 PM PST reply actions
I think he can be good.
I also think a lot of people of overreacting to his good play because we need a true PG so badly. Just one example, three point shooting. You list that as a strength and maybe it will be come one. But right now, he is shooting just under 35% from the three. That’s not horrible. But it’s not a plus at this point. Everyone is saying what an incredible defender he is. Right now, his defensive rating is 111. Again, that’s not anywhere near awful. But it’s nothing to ooh and ahh over either.
I think for a 60th pick he is doing awesome! I’m not ready to say he is the point guard of the future for the Kings, or that his only weakness is size just yet.
It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
by SavageBeast on Feb 21, 2012 8:14 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
However
I agree totally with the attitude thing. I haven’t seen a player on the kings with his kind of confidence and swagger since . . . honestly since Chris Webber. It’s the kind of confidence I expected from Jimmer after he left BYU. It’s really unusual to see a rookie who is so ready to compete every night and get the crowd into the game. He looks like a three or four year vet, at least from an attitude point. That alone is going to keep him in the NBA a long time. And if he continues to improve his game, who knows what could happen.
Rec’d BB.
It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
I List Shooting Range as a Strength
Because of how comfortably Isaiah shoots from the 3 point line. I think we will get better sense of his consistency as a shooter now that it looks it will be getting steady playing time (25+ MPG).
Jerry Reynolds made the point that he extended his range since his senior year in college, and this was the basis of my comment, plus just seeing his technique and focus are solid.
I don’t envision shooting being a weakness of Isaiah because he has fluid form and has the moves and quickness to create space between himself and defender.
Thanks for rec’d, SB.
Smart Era, y'all.
Defensive Rating is a misleading statistic because if you're on a crappy defensive team like the Kings
You’re going to have a crappy defensive rating unless you’re one of the best defenders ever.
Synergy rates him as the best guard defender on the Kings, and 14th best in the NBA on guarding the Pick and Roll ballhandler. I’ll go into more detail on all our guards on Thursday.
I agree with you that he doesn’t just have one weakness however. I think he gets a little bit out of control sometimes, and that’s alright for now because he’s a rookie. But damn, at least he’s trying to do something productive (looking at you Outlaw/Salmons/Hickson).
Author of NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Feb 21, 2012 9:36 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
His defense has really been a revelation to me
Not that he’s a lockdown defender in the backcourt or anything, but the fact that he’s rarely overmatched. He has the strength and quickness and defensive smarts that this team needs from the guard position.
At this point (amazingly) I have more questions about his ability to run an NBA offense in the long run than play defense. And those questions are starting to be answered as well.
One caveat though – he does play extremely hard and seems to get punished quite often (taking contact in traffic, hitting the floor, etc.) So durability becomes a question as well, and whether he can maintain this playstyle later in the season.
Sacramento Kings - helping feed NBA fans across the country since 2011
Being out of control is not a weakness
Unless it becomes chronic. I don’t see that happening.
Smart Era, y'all.
I think his greatest strength is his hesitation dribble drive
It is something Tyreke could use more to mix up his drives to the basket.
I think 1B is his confidence level. He and DeMarcus are the only Kings players that have played with a high confidence level all season. Everyone else looks a little hesitant out there.
Great write up BB
"First we get jobs, then we get the khakis, then we get the chicks."
Thanks, WC
I think his greatest strength is his (1) speed and ability to push tempo, and (1a) he’s a player without a real weakness.
Smart Era, y'all.
I was sold
in the Portland game when he got caught on a switch and was using all his might to box out LaMarcus Aldridge and succeeded
"You can't fool all the people all the time"
by offGlass on Feb 21, 2012 11:20 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Yeah
there have been a few other instances when he’s given up a foot or more to a post player and they’ve not been able to score. He’s a scrapper. Scrappy Doo 22? (Even though I hated Scrappy Doo as a cartoon.)
by luckthefakers on Feb 21, 2012 12:22 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve also seen a touch of clutch in his play thus far – a few big shots mixed in with solid defensive play – and very much agree on the leadership. Everyone seems to get excited when he’s on the court. From the few games I’ve been able to watch (I’m currently residing in southern CA) it’s been refreshing.
So there you have it. Lack of height is a strength in camouflage.
only in the realm of wishful thinking.
The basket is mounted way up high.
a shorter player has to jump higher to get his shots off over the long players surrounding him so his shots become less reliable when his legs get tired.
short players can have their moments , just look at nate robinson but their height can also be a problem,again just look at nate robinson.
Mirror on the wall
Here we are again.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 21, 2012 10:23 PM PST reply actions
Nate Archibald
was very good but much taller than nate robinson.
Mirror on the wall
Here we are again.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 21, 2012 11:32 PM PST up reply actions
Calvin Murphy
Muggsy Bogues
Spud Webb
Terrell Brandon
Damon Stoudamire
Avery Johnson
Micheal Adams
Brandon was the tallest at 5’11", Bogues the shortest at 5’3". And Calvin Murphy is a Hall of Famer and one of the toughest guys to don an NBA jersey.(Love that one season he shot 206/215 for a FT% of 95.8%!)
by betweentheeyes on Feb 21, 2012 11:50 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
A couple of inches is your definition of "much taller?"
And enough of a difference for a guy to be / not to be a viable NBA player.
Nate Robinson is who he is because of the wiring in his head, not the length of his body. Earl Boykins has played 11 seasons in the NBA and earned about $17m, and he is the same amount shorter than Robinson than Robinson is shorter than Archibald.
Meh, you’re right. Height rules and tall players never get tired. This is why Shawn Bradley, Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan are generally regarded as some of the NBA’s greatest all time sharpshooters.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Feb 22, 2012 8:47 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
A couple of inches is your definition of "much taller?" And enough of a difference for a guy to be / not to be a viable NBA player.
Haha, You need to look up the definition of a strength and maybe homer while you are at it.
I never said he couldn’t play I just said being short is not a strength in disguise.Archibald was about 6’ 1" and nate robinson is probably 5’9" or so and that’s a pretty good percentage of ball diameter to clear when going up for a shot.
You can believe what you want but I see no reason to believe Magic or Stockton woulda been better guards if they were way shorter.
Mirror on the wall
Here we are again.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 22, 2012 10:09 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Ah, I see how you roll
You have a comment aptly refuted and you resort to name calling.
The basket is mounted way up high.You have some solid takes, ScU. But this is unmitigated bullplop, with all due respect.
a shorter player has to jump higher to get his shots off over the long players surrounding him so his shots become less reliable when his legs get tired.
short players can have their moments , just look at nate robinson but their height can also be a problem,again just look at nate robinson.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
You have a comment aptly refuted and you resort to name calling?
just pointing out what I said versus what you apparently thought I said .
I never said short players can’t be viable NBA players I said that being short is not a “strength” , if it was the league would be looking for the shortest players instead of the tallest players. No matter how good they are as long as baskets are mounted way up high short players are gonna have a harder time shooting over tall players or defending tall shooters, it’s just physics.
Mirror on the wall
Here we are again.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Feb 22, 2012 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
IT files down his sneaker soles to increase his advantage, at least that's what I heard.
Absolutely love his toughness and maturity beyond his years. And his “D!” Great post.
I have played against guys like Isaiah
And they are a pain in the butt to guard. I am 6’1" and I used to think a little mouse in the house was easy to exploit. This is true, of course, when they have no game. But if a little guy has a lower center of gravity, better speed and quick hops, and more importantly play just as physically, can absorb contact and dish it out, they are a headache to stop. This is the type of player Isaiah is, and his lack of height is strength in disguise.
Smart Era, y'all.
by bench_blob on Feb 22, 2012 9:18 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Little guys that are very fast and skilled can be difficult to defend - but not as difficult as taller players that are just as fast and skilled
All else equal, being shorter than the man you’re matched up with always has been, and always will be, a disadvantage. I can’t believe this is actually being debated. Being under 6’ tall in the NBA is a clearly weakness, regardless of how many people have managed to overcome it.
by Charlieb on Feb 26, 2012 7:03 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Disadvantage, yes.
But a disadvantage that is overrated. Virtually every team passed up Isaiah Thomas. He has clearly proven that he is worth far more than the 60th pick in the draft. It appears that these teams took one look at his height and scratched him off their list.
"Should he just be renamed Player of the Week?" HeuristicLineup on Cousins.
They also might have looked at his 32% 3pt shooting
He’s been shooting better from the NBA 3pt line than he ever did from the closer college line, so it’s easy to say he was wrongly overlooked now, but passing on a guy that is 5’8 and a poor outside shooter throughout his collegiate career would be the right call at least 99 times out of 100.
by Charlieb on Feb 28, 2012 10:24 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I respectfully disagree.
"Should he just be renamed Player of the Week?" HeuristicLineup on Cousins.
I disrespectfully agree
With the newish hand check rules, the small quick PG is not as much of a liability as it once was. And as always, common wisdom has been slow to respond.
by Kfan in Korea on Mar 1, 2012 12:19 AM PST up reply actions
I take offense to your disrespectfully agreeing with me.
"Should he just be renamed Player of the Week?" HeuristicLineup on Cousins.
by Slam_Dunk on Mar 1, 2012 8:02 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I respectfully disagree with you being offended,
while disrespectfully agreeing with your right take such offense.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on Mar 1, 2012 10:18 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You win.
’If you bang your head against the wall enough, you get good results. – Stern
"Should he just be renamed Player of the Week?" HeuristicLineup on Cousins.
You win.
we all win :>)
Mirror on the wall
Here we are again.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 2, 2012 9:48 AM PST up reply actions
This kid can be the best
Great post! Forget he’s 5’9". The only downside to his downsize is good shooters can shoot over the top a little easier the other defending PG’s. In an earlier post it was stated that IT is 10 lbs heavier than Chris Paul. I checked and NBA.com lists CPS at 175, IT at 185 and Ty Lawson at 195 lbs. IT obviously carries his weight very well so I see this as an advantage. So why can’t IT be as good as CP3? I truly believe he can and am stoked (do people still say stoked?) he’s starting over John. John should be great against opposing second units but thats a seperate thread.
Isaiah has the same speed as Chris Paul
Keeps the ball on a string, knows how to lure the defense, bait and dish, and has as an extreme level of confidence and leadership as does CP3.
I am not saying he can ever be as good as CP3, but I am not saying he can’t be either. Its not fair to put limits on a guy who is in the process of discovering how good great he can be.
What happens with most fans is they look at where a guy is drafted and set expectations accordingly. But this is a mistake. It doesn’t matter that he was the last pick in the draft. What matters is his own level of self-belief in the player that he is and that player that he can become.
Right now that seems to be pretty damn special. He just went toe-to-toe with the last two #1 PGs of the draft and did not back down for one play. Impressive stuff. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
Smart Era, y'all.
by bench_blob on Feb 22, 2012 9:50 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It isn't nearly as big an impediment to be short at PG than at other positions
Very few point guards post up with any regularity
by lchristmas on Feb 22, 2012 10:32 PM PST via Android app reply actions
I can't imagine it would be any fun to try to post IT up either
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And forget about just point guards
Ask LMA and Javale McGee how much fun it is to post up IT.
The devil is dryhumping the details - Tom Ziller
Love Wall's reaction
“This is why I never throw him the ball coach!”
Author of NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on Feb 24, 2012 8:23 AM PST up reply actions 7 recs
Wall is going to be so happy
to play with Cuz again this weekend.
by polotown on Feb 24, 2012 8:27 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
He's a spark plug, and he's small and strong. He's a butt plug.
But what I’m trying to say is, fun write-up, nicely broken down, and for the record, I do not think Thomas is a butt plug.
The kid sure is fun to watch, ain’t he?
I like your Jimmer very much. I do not like your JimmerJihadis™. - Ghandi Sims
Rocks are free, and slingshots easily stolen. And for a limited time, every third person who follows me on Twitter (andy_sims) gets a free ice cream cone.
Which I will eat.
by andy sims on Feb 23, 2012 1:12 AM PST reply actions 8 recs
Oh, I get your reference to butt plug,now, because he is short.
"Should he just be renamed Player of the Week?" HeuristicLineup on Cousins.
After the Wizards game
Smart commented on IT’s personality: said that his teammates love IT, and that it is a critical factor for a point guard.
Call it whatever you want, confidence, leadership, likeability, or just the ability to find the open man, but the main thing that I have noticed is that when IT has the ball all of his teammates watch him and are ready to move and ready to receive the ball. Bottom line, IT makes all of his teammates better.
Exactly, i think thats key.
He may not ever be a top 5 pg, or all-star but he can be a damn good. Heck, Bibby never made a all-star team and look at how good he was for us. If we find a legit SF, our starting lineup suddenly looks heck of alot better.
Sometimes you just have to look yourself in the mirror and say....Tyreke Evans.
That just happened.
by darkadun on Feb 24, 2012 7:45 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
i agree
everyone loves an unselfish point guard. when your teammates know your point guard will make plays. when they know he will get you the ball then you’ll always be ready and play with a positive attitude. but when you have someone like tyreke and you dont know if hes going to iso the next 5 possesions or pass it to you, it doesnt make you play as hard. IT brings this team together.
by CousinsEvansDUO on Feb 27, 2012 5:55 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
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