Can Isaiah Thomas Finish Top-10 in Points Per Game?

Can Isaiah Thomas improve next season and finish top-10 in points per game?

Last season was as big of a breakout season as anyone could have imagined for Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas. After averaging 20.3 points per game in 2013-14 with the Sacramento Kings, Thomas took a little step back the following season. His points per game average dropped to just 16.4 as he accepted a bench role with the Phoenix Suns before being traded midway through the season to Boston.

Last season was the score-first guard’s first full season with the Boston Celtics, and he quickly took over the starting job after coming off the bench in all 21 games with the Celtics the year prior. The notion that Thomas could put points on the board in a hurry was well-known around the league, but his consistency to do so throughout an entire season and his ability to being the outright starting point guard were still question marks early in the season.

Thomas ended up surprising everyone by making the All-Star team and averaging a career-high 22.2 points per game, good enough for 11th in the NBA. Nine of the 10 players who averaged more points per contest than Thomas were All-Stars, as well, putting Thomas in good company. He finished just 0.9 points per game behind Paul George to finish in the top-10, and, surprisingly, Thomas was one of only four players in the top-11 to play in at least 80 games last season, showing his ability to consistently score every night.

Barring the fact that he struggled mightily on offense in the playoffs, Thomas proved to be the go-to player the Celtics needed last season. He owned his best field-goal and three-point percentages in the fourth quarter and averaged at least 20 points per game in every month last season, including averaging 25.9 points per game during 14 games in March.

Sure, Thomas didn’t shoot extremely well from the field last season – 42.8 field-goal percentage and 35.9 three-point percentage. Although, he did his scoring in less time than every player in the top-10. In fact, only two players who finished in the top-25 in points per game last season averaged fewer minutes per game than Thomas – Dwyane Wade and Reggie Jackson who finished 24th and 25th, respectively.

The ability to catch fire fast is why Thomas finished seventh in points per 36 minutes last season. While he didn’t always shoot well from the field, he found ways to get points, which is what great scorers do. Thomas’ innate ability to find ways to score was best highlighted in the playoffs when he averaged 24.2 points per game, despite not playing anywhere near his best ability.

Heading into the upcoming season the Celtics expectations have skyrocketed since landing Al Horford this summer. The Celtics won’t catch anyone by surprise anymore as they’re no longer viewed as a rebuilding team. Boston won’t be able to take any nights off because being viewed as a favorite in the Eastern Conference means every teams wants to beat them.

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Thomas also won’t take anyone by surprise. He’s no longer viewed as the former last pick in the 2011 Draft, rather as an All-Star point guard. While he still might have to continue to prove himself to some people, he has most of the NBA community convinced of his stardom.

With that being said, teams will be making him a focal point when taking on the Celtics. Of course, with Boston’s fast pace, that doesn’t necessarily mean teams will be able to control Thomas. He’ll still be one of the quickest players on the court at all times and should continue to get to the basket fairly often. Plus, his best scoring month came in March – second to last month of the season, when teams honed in on him.

When it comes to the regular season, teams will continue to have a hard time slowing down Boston, especially with the additions of Jaylen Brown and Gerald Green. Granted the playoffs could still bring problems for the small point guard, but Boston’s fastbreak type of offense opens up a lot of opportunities for the undersized guard.

That’s why when it comes to the regular season there are reasons to be hopeful that Thomas can crack the top-10 in points per game next season. His two best shooting percentage months happened at the end of the year when he shot 44.9 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from three over 21 games in March and April.

If Thomas is able to replicate those numbers even slightly for a full season that would be a huge improvement over what he shot last season. Isaiah Thomas getting into the lane and finishing over a taller defender with a circus shot became a frequent sight last season. Pair that with an improved three-point shot and it would do wonders for the Celtics and Thomas’ offensive game.

Although, the Celtics biggest free agent signing in years is why Thomas won’t crack the top-10, but will raise his assists per game from a respectable 6.2. Al Horford adds so much to the Boston offense that they didn’t have last season. He’s a reliable front court option, can run the pick-and-pop to a tee, and can score inside or stretch the floor with his three-point ability.

The four-time All-Star will have a big role in the Celtics offense. With their inability to run a successful pick-and-pop or pick-and-roll consistently with Jared Sullinger last season, Brad Stevens will love to use his new All-Star duo to his advantage.

It’s not to say that Thomas won’t be the go-to-guy anymore, or that the Celtics won’t turn to him at the end of games when they need a bucket, but he’s no longer the only star on the team. Besides, Horford averaged 2.8 more shots per game than Sullinger did last season, and it’s not out of the question that he could see around the 14.5 shot attempts per contest he saw just a couple of seasons ago.

Plus, Horford’s 34.4 three-point percentage would have ranked fifth on the team last season, and that was his first season as a legitimate three-point threat. Therefore, that part of his game should improve this season and help aid one of the weakest parts of the Celtics’ offense last season. Maybe Horford isn’t a star that will average close to 20 points per game, although he does everything well and it’s hard to ignore his all-around game.

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When it comes down to it, Thomas has the ability to leap into the top-10 in scoring next season. He stays healthy, plays enough minutes and is the team’s go-to-guy. Although, that might not be what’s best for Boston. Having Thomas continue to develop as a playmaker to set up his teammates would benefit the Celtics more, especially with Brown’s and Green’s athleticism.

A lot of the Celtics scoring droughts started last season when they relied on Thomas too much. Part of that was due to their lack of a true three-point specialist or their inconsistent shooting, but with the pieces they added this summer, a lot of those problems could be fixed.

While it might mean that Thomas’ average will likely dip closer to 20 points per game, or a little below, it also means he could become a more efficient scorer and be closer to averaging a double-double. Thomas won’t need to force as many shots, and that will help the Celtics a lot.

Next: Nine Years Ago Today...

He has a good chance of making his second All-Star game in a row by building on his breakout season, but that doesn’t have to mean scoring more, rather it means Thomas continuing to develop as a playmaker.

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