Hardwood Houdini
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Isaiah Thomas Continues to be a Fan Favourite

By Joshua Bateman

Apr 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates against the Miami Heat during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates against the Miami Heat during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Even off the NBA hardwood, Isaiah Thomas continues to endear himself towards fans

The moment Isaiah Thomas joined the Boston Celtics, he was a fan favourite. He fit in perfectly on a rag tag team of underachievers, and he propelled the most exciting run fans got to experience in the Brad Stevens era. He was a phenomena coming off the bench as their leading scorer, and all he has done is get better.

Thomas plays with a chip on his shoulder and with an attitude that has been fully embraced by all of Boston. He has become a killer on the court and was rewarded with his first all star game appearance. He has become one of the key pieces to the Celtics rebuild, and the fact that he is doing all of this as the shortest player on the court has made him the most beloved figure on the team.

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As if Thomas needed to do more to be loved and embraced by the fans, he went out a did something that every young basketball fan dreams of. In a story from The Boston Globe, Thomas found a young fan that shared some of those undersized troubles, and put him on top of the world. Thomas has been embraced by the fans in Boston but this time, he truly embraced the fans himself. With no one else on the court on that rainy afternoon, Thomas gave Robby McNulty the experience of a lifetime, with the best street ball partner he will ever have.

Thomas does enough on the court to be the most beloved player on the Celtics and yet he continues to do more, establishing the kind of bond with the city of Boston that truly goes beyond what he does on the biggest stage.

One of the most likeable things about Thomas is his how close he is to the fans. In a league that is dominated by physical freaks who have traits that not even one percent of the population can match, seeing someone stand at 5’9 and succeed the way he does is a great inspiration. Seeing that same player on the court with 14 year olds continues to reinforce what a special person Thomas is to the Celtics,

Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts on the bench against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 110-83. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts on the bench against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Celtics 110-83. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Thomas pushed his appeal to the fans even further with this recent encounter, and this is what he had to say about it “I know it means a lot, because I was once in his shoes. I was once that kid at games wanting a player to just wave to me and acknowledge me, so I know that feeling and I know that’s my job now”.

Thomas is one of the more unique stars the NBA has ever seen and it feels as though he and the city of Boston could not have found a better match. And, as if the surprise appearance on the court was not enough, Thomas did even more for the young fan by inviting him as a personal guest to attend a game this season.

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Thomas was already embraced by the fans the way top players get to experience, and he decided to return the favor. Thomas has that combination of perspective and a chip on his shoulder that cannot be taught, and hopefully this is still just the beginning of long and successful relationship between Thomas and the city of Boston.

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