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Isaiah Thomas Needs to Get Back to Distributing

By Joshua Bateman

Mar 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts after a basket during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Isaiah Thomas is on the best scoring streak of his career. He has the most consecutive games for the Celtics with 20+  points since Paul Pierce and he just tied the record with his 13th straight game as the Boston Celtics‘ leading scorer. Thomas has proven that he will always find ways to score and it has been a focal point of the Celtics’ offense all year long.

While Thomas’ ability to score is the most valuable aspect of his game, his development as a distributor this year is not far behind. In addition to being unmatched on the team at creating his own opportunities, Thomas has transformed his, and the Celtics’ game, because of his ability to pass.

Thomas is no where near the league leaders in assists but numbers alone will not fully convey the importance of Thomas’ passing. Thomas is the one that gets the Celtics in rhythm. Thomas sets the tone on the offensive end and when he is moving the ball well, the rest of the team is moving the ball well. Thomas’ passing is about much more than generating assists as the Celtics have had tremendous success making the extra pass that leads to the best possible opportunity.

Thomas is having a truly unique season scoring 22.3 points per game with 6.3 assists per game and only 2.6 turnovers per game. Thomas is at his best when he finds the right balance between scoring and passing. Thomas continues to be the most impactful player on the offense with his scoring alone. However, a lot is being left on the table with just 9 assists over his last 3 games.

That lack of ball movement is a main reason why the Celtics were incapable of getting close against the Clippers. Chris Paul alone was able to match what the entire Celtics team did assist wise. The Celtics simply do not have the offensive talent to keep up with the heavy hitters if they are not generating enough quality opportunities with ball movement.

Mar 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) in the first half during the NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Kelly Olynyk (41) in the first half during the NBA game at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

This has not been an extended problem for Thomas. In fact, in the two games prior to the last three, Thomas averaged 7.5 assists per game. This is a minor obstacle for Thomas but if they are going to have any hope in their next two games, Thomas needs to return to getting that impact passing the ball.

The Celtics have always been at their worst this season when they lack ball movement. The Celtics remained aggressive and tried to push the ball against the Clippers but in order for their offense to be successful they need high quality opportunities. Thomas is the one that is most capable of instigating the offense that makes the Celtics one of the highest scoring teams in the league.

Ball movement has been arguably the most important aspect of the Celtics’ offense. The Celtics have the fifth most assists per game in the league and while he is not the only one responsible, Thomas is the offensive leader and tone setter that needs to get the Celtics offense to function well.

The Celtics have fallen into this trap before. Their aggressiveness leads to a lot more quicker shots and while that is a part of their offense, it falls apart without the ball movement. The Celtics struggle enough attempting to hit their open shots, they simply have no hope when they are forced to hit contested and tough shots.

The best part of Thomas season has been his balance of scoring and distribution. Unfortunately, that balance has been lost over the last three games. Thomas will never lose that scoring edge but it has become clear that that is not enough. Thomas is too important to the flow of the offense for him to regress in his distribution. He has the ball in his hands too often to not be the one that ensures the offense stays in flow, and generates quality opportunities.

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Thomas has been the Celtics’ best player in arguably every game since Jae Crowder went down with an injury. His consistency in scoring is the most reliable thing about the Celtics’ offense but they have demonstrated that they need more. They need the entire package from Thomas who has repeatedly proven that he is capable of getting the Celtics’ offense to function at the highest level.

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