Boston Celtics Dynamic Duo

The Boston Celtics have often been called an under talented team that lacks a superstar. Isaiah Thomas made his first All Star team this year but he still carries maybe the biggest chip on his shoulder in the NBA. While Brad Stevens has done an unparalleled job of getting the most out of the Celtics, they have a duo that is getting closer and closer to ending the lack of a star narrative.

Isaiah Thomas is the first one to come up. He is in line to be the first player since Larry Bird to average 20+ points and 6+ assists for the Celtics and while he continues to improve every aspect of his game, the doubters continue to motivate him to be the best little man of all time.

Thomas has been the Celtics’ best player this season but one of his teammates has been much closer than most would have expected, and they are becoming a truly deadly duo. Jae Crowder has been the Celtics’ best defender this year and he is arguably the most improved player this season. He has also been one of the most clutch players in the NBA.

Thomas and Crowder are not only improving their individual impact on the court because they are also becoming a duo that is demanding respect from the league. Early on in the season the Celtics struggled in clutch time and Thomas and Crowder are the biggest reason why they are putting that behind them. Crowder is shooting 7/9 in the most clutch moments this season but that would not be possible without Thomas.

Thomas has established himself as the go to scorer for the Celtics but that in no way hinders his willingness to pass the ball. Crowder has been put in phenomenal positions to hit those shots late in the game and a great deal of the credit deserves to go to Thomas drawing in the defense and making the right pass.

Thomas and Crowder have become leaders for the Celtics on and off the court and they are making sure the league will have no choice other than to take the Celtics seriously. Of course, they do not get all the credit. The Celtics, moreso than maybe any other team in the NBA, rely much less on the individuals and much more on the team as a whole.

Crowder and Thomas just so happen to be the two players that are instilling that mentality the most. Isaiah Thomas has seen his assists jump up to 6.7 per game and Crowder has seen his three point percentage jump up to 35.5% and their chemistry together is a huge reason why. Thomas is finding ways to draw in defenses and open up the court for their many three point shooters. Crowder has then become one of the most reliable recipients of those passes.

Thomas and Crowder have fully bought into Brad Stevens’ system and that is leading to their tremendous improvement. Crowder and Thomas are setting the tone with their willingness to adapt and put the Celtics in the best position to win. Thomas has made the adjustment of being a passer first much more often, and Crowder has made the adjustment of cutting out mid range shots and taking advantage of open three pointers.

Thomas and Crowder are at the head of the pack on the court and it is not only on the offensive end. It is not difficult to see how Crowder is the best defender on the Celtics. He leads the team in steals per game and will never back down from any matchup. Crowder plays with the kind of defensive intensity that is matched by maybe only Marcus Smart.

Isaiah Thomas sets the tone of the offense and Jae Crowder sets the tone of the defense. They embody the sacrifice and intensity that has defined this Celtics team and they have separated themselves as tone setters on both ends. Just as Crowder’s impact has also extended to the offensive end, Thomas has also put in the work that is needed on the defensive end.

It is hard for Thomas to avoid the matchup issues created by his size. He will be stuck as the fourth best defensive guard on the team but that takes nothing away from the work and progress he has put in. It is far from a desirable number but Thomas’ defensive rating of 106 is the best of his career, by far. His 1.1 steals are also the second most he’s ever had in his career and he has been an improved rebounder.

Crowder and Thomas are the tone setters on their respective stronger ends of the court but they understand the importance of balance. Both of them have done a phenomenal job of putting in the work to make sure they can be impact players on both ends of the court.

Next: What Should Boston Do With Potential Free Agents?

The Celtics have a lot of young and promising talent but Crowder and Thomas are separating themselves this year. With the way the two of them are playing right now and continue to improve they are setting themselves up to be another dominant duo for the Celtics.