Isaiah Thomas has always carried a chip on his shoulder, and it’s what made him one of the most electric players of his era. On the Got Sole podcast, the former Boston Celtics star made a bold claim that instantly reignited debates among fans:
“If I was 6’2″, I would be the greatest player of all time. So it’s past the Hall of Fame. The guys at 6’8″, 6’9″ can’t do what I did at 5’9″. So when you look at it like that, I’m one of the greatest.”
It’s a statement that perfectly captures Thomas’ confidence, and honestly, anyone who watched him at his peak might not completely disagree.
During the 2016-17 season, Isaiah Thomas was nothing short of spectacular. Standing just 5-foot-9, he averaged 28.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc. He led the Celtics to the number one seed in the Eastern Conference and carried them all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. That same year, he earned All-NBA Second Team honors and finished fifth in MVP voting.
The story of Isaiah’s rise was pure heart. Night after night, he went toe-to-toe with giants: literally and figuratively. He wasn’t just undersized; he was an anomaly in an era defined by length, athleticism, and spacing. But none of that mattered. Thomas attacked the paint fearlessly, finished over seven-footers, and thrived in crunch time. Boston fans called him the “King in the Fourth” because of his incredible late-game heroics.
In many ways, Thomas’ statement about being 6’2” isn’t just bravado; it’s a reflection of what could have been. His height was always his biggest obstacle, but his talent was undeniable. Imagine a version of Isaiah Thomas with the same quickness, touch, and drive but with a few extra inches that might have helped him finish at the rim more easily or defend bigger guards. It’s not hard to envision him putting up MVP-level numbers year after year.
Unfortunately, his rise was cut short. During that unforgettable 2017 playoff run, the same one where he played just days after his sister’s tragic passing, Thomas suffered a severe hip injury. It would prove devastating. The injury required major surgery and derailed his athleticism, speed, and explosiveness. The Celtics eventually traded him to Cleveland in the Kyrie Irving deal, and from there, his career spiraled.
Over the next few years, Thomas bounced around the league, suiting up for teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, Wizards, Pelicans, and Suns. Each comeback attempt carried hope but ended the same way: flashes of brilliance, followed by lingering pain and limited minutes.
Still, even after all the setbacks, Thomas’ confidence never faded. He’s proud of what he accomplished and rightly so. Few players of his size have ever dominated the way he did, and his 2017 season remains one of the most inspiring underdog stories in NBA history.
So when Isaiah Thomas says, “If I was 6’2″, I’d be the GOAT”, it’s not arrogance — it’s conviction born from years of defying odds. He might not have the rings or longevity of other greats, but his heart, skill, and sheer willpower make him unforgettable.
And if height really is the only thing that separated him from the legends? Maybe he has a point.
