Isaiah Thomas Claims He’s Never Been A Defensive Liability: “That Is The Most Frustrating Label I Get.”

Isaiah Thomas isn't happy that he has had the tag of being a poor defender attached to him.

3 Min Read

Credit: Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports

Making it as a player in the NBA has to be one of the hardest achievements in all of sports. Out of the millions of aspirants around the world, only about 400 players every year get a chance to live that dream. If you got minutes in an NBA game, chances are that you’re one of the best players in the world.

Isaiah Thomas had a pretty good NBA career, with a prime that saw the 5’9″ guard become an MVP candidate and lead the Boston Celtics to the playoffs in 2017. However, injury concerns and a trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers virtually ended IT’s career and he has been playing in recent years as an emergency mid-season signing.

IT isn’t happy about the state of his career and vented his frustrations around not getting a chance due to his size and his reputation as a defender.

Thomas has played for 10 NBA teams over his career, playing for 3 last season alone when he suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets. Despite those opportunities, IT just didn’t do anything on either end of the ball that would justify him still being in the NBA. 


Will Isaiah Thomas Play An NBA Game Again?

IT has categorically ensured that he keeps getting a chance at the NBA instead of taking a massive payday overseas like Dwight Howard just did. There isn’t much upside to getting Thomas, as there are other guards who might be better options, like the Charlotte Hornets taking a flyer on Dennis Smith Jr. this summer instead of being Thomas back.

Injuries can never be predicted, so some team may be desperate come December-January and offers IT a contract. There has been talk of old veterans being ‘blackballed’ from the league but it’s simply a matter of the league moving on to the young generation of next stars.

IT might not be as bad defensively as advertised, but he’s definitely not a good defender either. With his offensive production also falling, it looks like the time to move on from the NBA might have come for IT. 

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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