The 2011 NBA Draft is still very much in my memory. I was eager to see who would ultimately be selected by the Boston Celtics because this was the first draft that I really focused on. I stayed to watch the remainder of the draft unfold after seeing a reunion between JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore. The top prospects still available for the draft were displayed by ESPN at the bottom of the screen. Thinking of the storied Isiah Thomas of the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons, I can still recall telling my dad, “Look, there’s a guy named Isaiah Thomas in the draft.” I had no idea that this new Thomas would eventually be traded to Boston and almost make it to the NBA.
Isaiah Thomas, Gigi Datome, and Jonas Jerebko are acquired by the Boston Celtics.
Marcus Thornton and a 2016 first-round selection (later traded for Skal Labissière) are received by the Phoenix Suns.
Received by the Detroit Pistons: Tayshaun Prince
The Celtics’ Career of Isaiah Thomas Was Enchanting
You hear the expression “you had to be there” a lot. But it feels right when discussing Thomas and his time in Boston. The Celtics were 20-31 and the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference at the time of the deal. Less than two years had passed since the Celtics traded Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets. Furthermore, two months ago, the franchise traded Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks. The Celtics were reassembling and probably wouldn’t be competitive for some time. Thomas made that alteration.
During the 2014–15 season, Thomas appeared in 21 games with the Celtics, starting every game off the bench. The native of Washington averaged 5.4 assists and 19 points per contest. The Celtics finished the regular season with a 40-42 record, qualified for the playoffs as the No. 7 seed, and were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round. Thomas averaged 22.2 points per game the next season, starting nearly all 82 games for the Celtics and earning his first-ever All-Star selection. Boston had a 48-34 record at the end of the season. The Boston Celtics, seeded No. 5, fell short against the Atlanta Hawks in six games during the opening round.
