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Isaiah Thomas’ Streak Ends

By Joshua Bateman

Apr 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) high fives a fan after making a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) high fives a fan after making a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Isaiah Thomas joined the Boston Celtics following the trade deadline last year and immediately had an impact scoring. He was by far the team leader at 19.2 points per game and he clearly possessed a much higher ability to generate offense than anyone else on the team. Then this season came around and Thomas shattered any standards set last year. He has improved in every area and has expended his game tremendously.

Thomas has improved his scoring, up over 22 points per game and that is on top of increasing his assists up over 6 per game. Thomas has been the most reliable offensive player for the Celtics and he has been a staple of consistency over this last stretch in the regular season. Thomas still has his streak of consecutive games scoring at least 20 points but he saw another record setting streak end last night.

For 17 straight games Thomas was the outright scoring leader for the Celtics, a feat that not Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Tommy Heinsohn or any other of the incredible list of hall of famers that have played for the Celtics have accomplished. Thomas finally saw his streak end with Tyler Zeller scoring 26 points against the Milwaukee Bucks but Thomas has cemented himself in Celtics history over what is the best stretch of basketball in his career.

While Thomas’ accomplishment with the streak pales in comparison to his true aspirations in the NBA, it is a great testament to the special season he is having with the Celtics. A streak like that really puts into perspective how much the Celtics depend on Thomas on the offensive end, and how reliable he has been. The Celtics lack a great amount of top end offensive talent but Thomas makes sure he gives the Celtics a scoring edge each time he is on the court.

The Celtics cannot be a strong offensive team without the offense that Thomas creates and he gives the Celtics all the confidence they could imagine in his reliability scoring the ball. The Celtics need Thomas’ boost for when they are not moving the ball as well and he is bringing that boost each and every night. Throw in that, on top of leading the team in scoring, Thomas is also the one that instigates the ball movement and his offensive impact cannot be understated.

Apr 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) has his jersey pulled after having his headband rearranged as he drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the second half of the Boston Celtics 104-97 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) has his jersey pulled after having his headband rearranged as he drives past New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the second half of the Boston Celtics 104-97 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Thomas managed to lead the team in scoring 17 straight games while also being the assist leader on the season. Thomas’ 6.2 assists per game are, by far, a team high and after Evan Turner, Thomas has more than double anyone else. Thomas has found a way to balance being a pass first and a shoot first point guard and he is truly doing everything on the offensive end.

If Thomas just gave the Celtics the incredible reliability in scoring the ball then that would be enough but he has been doing so much more. Thomas is the one that puts points on the board when they are in a slump and Thomas is also the one that is best at instigating their great ball movement. Thomas has the most control on the offensive end and he sets the tone. It is not just Thomas’ passing, but the way he pushes the ball and always remains aggressive keeps the Celtics in the rhythm that they need to be successful.

Thomas’ franchise record streak came to an end but in the process he is turning all the doubters that contributed to the massive chip on his shoulder wrong. Thomas’ success this season is simply undeniable and his impact and importance to the Celtics cannot be measured. He is doing everything the Celtics need on the offensive end and he has quickly become much more than just a scorer.

Thomas is embodying Stevens’ great offensive system and when he is playing well they are one of the higher scoring offenses in the league. It is hard to imagine where the Celtics would be offensively without Thomas. Thomas has left an immeasurable imprint on this season and without his greatness the Celtics would not be competing for the three seed in the eastern conference.

Next: Boston Celtics Free Agent Target: Jared Dudley

It is a shame to see Thomas’ franchise record streak come to an end but the Celtics have their sights set on a much bigger prize and if Thomas continues to play this well they may get closer to that prize than anyone could have thought.

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