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Will Isaiah Thomas be an All-Star?

By Jeremy Karll

Jan 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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There is no doubt that Isaiah Thomas has put together a good enough season to be an All-Star. If there were one or two more spots on the roster, which I think there should be for an exhibition game, then there would be no question about it. There isn’t though and he is up against some tough competition for the final roster spots. The reserves have two back court players, three front court players, and two wild cards.

An All-Star appearance for Thomas would tie him for the shortest All-Star in NBA history, would be tied with Calvin Murphy.

The attention that Celtics’ players and coaches have brought to this issue may help Thomas get selected. Jared Sullinger said (via ESPN), “The guy averages 20 [points] and 7 [assists] and he’s 5-foot-2 — how do you not put somebody like that in the All-Star Game?” To be fair, he isn’t quite that short, but Sullinger does make a good point.

Thomas is one of six players in the NBA to average at least 20 points and 6.5 assists per game. Out of those six players, he is the only one to average less than 3 turnovers per game.

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The late surge of Kyle Lowry during last week’s voting may have helped Thomas’ odds. Before Lowry was selected as the All-Star game starter, Kyrie Irving was the choice. Irving has only appeared in 16 games this season and even he admits that he doesn’t believe he deserves to be an All-Star. Dwayne Wade was the other Eastern Conference starting guard which means Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler will take up a reserve spot, although Wade would have been selected either way most likely.

The second guard reserve spot is more than likely to go to John Wall of the Washington Wizards. That leaves two wild card reserve spots open, with four guards and two big men that deserve it.

DeMar DeRozan, Reggie Jackson, Isaiah Thomas and Kemba Walker are all deserving of being selected. That also doesn’t include front court players like Kevin Love and Hassan Whiteside who may steal a wild card reserve spot, even though I don’t see that happening.

I think that DeRozan is most likely to get a wild card spot for the East because of how good the Toronto Raptors have been this season, they’re currently second in the Eastern Conference. He has also shot a lot more efficiently this season, which has been his biggest problem in the past.

The late struggles of the Charlotte Hornets have ruined Walker’s chances of being selected, although he has put together a remarkable season thus far. That leaves the final spot between Reggie Jackson of the Detroit Pistons and Thomas seemingly.

Jackson has led the Pistons to one of the most surprising first half’s this season, 23-20 record. However, Thomas has also done the same with Celtics, 23-21 record, while also not having another All-Star on the team. The Pistons will have Andre Drummond selected as a front court reserve, so why should they have two players on the team?

Trust me, my argument isn’t that every team should have one selection unless their the best team. If someone is deserving of being an All-Star then they should be on the team, and that is Isaiah Thomas.

Thomas averages more points per game (21.8 to 19.1), assists per game (6.7 to 6.6) and steals per game (1.2 to 0.8) than Jackson. He also commits fewer turnovers (2.7 to 2.8) and shoots better from behind the arc (34.5 percent to 34.1 percent), as well as from the free-throw line (89 percent to 85 percent).

When it comes down to straight statistics, Thomas has the advantage. When watching them play, I am more impressed with Thomas than I am with Jackson. Now, Reggie Jackson has flourished since being traded to Detroit and is deserving of being an All-Star, but not over Thomas.

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Isaiah Thomas has been asked to carry the load for an average offensive team most of the season. He is also the one who sparks comebacks when the Celtics are down late in games. Brad Stevens asks a lot from Thomas and so far he has been able to deliver. Since trading for him last season, he has been the best offensive player on the team and gave them stability at point guard.

Over the past 14 games, Thomas has scored at least 20 points in 11 of them. He also has at least 5 assists in all but two of the past 19 games for Boston. Thomas is able to make a difference by scoring the ball, but is also an underrated passer. He can set up teammates, which is a huge part of his game. He is one of the few players in the league that is asked to do a little of everything for their team.

My predictions could be all wrong and Love or Whiteside or both could take a wild card reserve spot. However, right now this is how I think the coaches will look at the final two spots and hopefully they recognize the great season Thomas is having. Boston would not be tied for the fifth best record in the Eastern Conference without him.

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It really is up in the air for who will be named to the All-Star team for the Eastern Conference. There are so many deserving players, which is why I think there should be a couple more roster spots. I think Thomas has done enough, passing both the eye and statistical test, to be named an All-Star. Although, the only thing that matters is the coaching staff that chooses, and hopefully they’ve been paying attention to the littlest player on the court.

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