Isaiah Thomas’ Confidence is Unwavered

As the doubters come out, Isaiah Thomas’ confidence refuses to change

There has been a lot of speculation about Isaiah Thomas this offseason, and a lot of it is not so great. Firstly, there is the hip injury. Thomas is not having surgery for an injury that often requires surgery, and a lot of people are wondering if that will prevent him from being his best next season.

The other speculation is then about his impending free agency, and that max contract that he will certainly be looking for. Thomas has a lot on the line this season and, as they have done for everything in his career, people are doubting that he will be able to overcome everything.

Thomas, on the other hand, is just as certain that he will overcome it. Thomas has come out and said that “the hip is great” (Via USAToday) and, when asked about a max contract, he said “I deserve it” (Via CBSSports).

Clearly, Thomas thinks this season is going to go a lot better than a lot of people out there are assuming. The best part, however, is that we know that Thomas is capable of it. As Thomas said, he has played like a max contract player with one of the greatest offensive seasons the league has ever seen last year.

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Last season, there is absolutely no doubt, Thomas earned that max contract. The only way the Celtics give him anything less is if the hip injury he is not concerned about slows him down.

Thomas sees all the doubters out there, he sees all the fans calling him overrated, and he continues to take the same approach that has lead him to overcoming every obstacle at every stage of his career.

You may have your doubts about Thomas. You may think the hip injury will be a problem. You may think that he will never again be able to play like he did last season. Good news is that none of that matters.

In his career, the only thing that has mattered to Thomas is what he thinks, and the work he puts in to push himself beyond the doubters that have been there since before he was the last played selected in the draft.

This is going to be the most important season of Thomas’ career, and it is also the most important season since the rebuild began. The Celtics have a lot more talent, but Thomas will continue to be one of the biggest indicators of success.

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And, if Thomas is right and he returns to his max contract level from a season ago, that could be the difference in getting that Finals appearance.