Although it has been only five Summer League games, Boston Celtics rookie Carsen Edwards is already being compared to a former Celtics star. To many this may seem like a far-too-early comparison, but between Edwards’ size, determination and the way he plays the game, the comparison may not be far off.
All throughout the career of former Boston Celtics great Isaiah Thomas, the biggest criticism has been something he has never been able to control. His height. Standing at only 5′ 9″, scouts around the league doubted Thomas’ ability to make a serious impact on the court, which is why the point guard was taken with the final pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
As for Edwards, watching him play in the Summer League, even former NBA players have questioned why the guard out of Purdue did not go in the lottery. Former Celtic Kendrick Perkins chimed in on Twitter during a Summer League game with his option on Edwards.
It’s no way in Hell Carsen Edwards should have went in the second round. Looking like a Lottery Pick to me. GMs must have a different set of eyes then the rest of us lol!
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) July 13, 2019
Besides the obvious size comparison, there are much more similarities between Thomas and Edwards. In fact, the size comparison is not even as close as some may think. Thomas is 5′ 9″, which for an NBA point guard is exceptionally small. Edwards is four inches taller at 6′ 1″ with an above average wingspan. While he is still considered undersized, it is not a complete matchup nightmare. As we have seen in the past, the Boston Celtics are not afraid to gamble on undersized guards. Marcus Smart, Thomas and Edwards were all considered undersized when joining the team, and even the newest addition Kemba Walker is listed at 6′ 1″.
To start with the real companions, play style is a big one. Both are pick and role maestros are are deadly both shooting off the dribble and driving in the lane. If Al Horford was still with the Boston Celtics, him and Edwards would have made a great combo, but in Summer League, Edwards “settled” for 7’7″ Tacko Fall.
Edwards’ pull-up threes off screens are quite literally a mirror image to Thomas’ lefty shot from three seasons ago. The confidence remains the same, and the shot as just as effective. Like Thomas, Edwards is also able to hit shots with much taller defenders in his face, leaving opposing defenses shaking their heads.
Another similarity of the two is Edwards ability to play off-ball at the point guard position. He does not need the ball in his hands and control the offense. Yes, he is a shooter and needs the freedom to do so, but his catch and shoot ability off screens makes him even more effective. Think JJ Redick as another example. An undersized guard, but a deadly shooter. Edwards is that, with a much higher ceiling due to his ability to also get to the rim.
Here is an example of the similarity of both Edwards’ and Thomas’ game.
In both of these videos, you can see their main points of attack from beyond the arc. Pick and rolls and catch and shoot. Both point guards are frequently moving without the ball looking for the best way to score.
Another similarity is the absolute clutch gene they both hold. Thomas was not named “King in the Fourth” by accident. He put together some amazing games in high pressure situations, and hit some of the most clutch shots in recent Boston Celtics history.
As for Edwards, although he hasn’t had a chance in live NBA action, his college career as well as his small Summer League sample size speaks for itself. Edwards dropped 42 points including 10 threes in an Elite Eight game against eventual champion Virginia this past season. Although it wasn’t enough for Purdue, Edwards hit a go-ahead three with just over a minute left, as well as another go-ahead bucket with 40 seconds left in overtime.
Watching what Thomas did two years ago during the Celtics playoff run and what Edwards did in the 2019 NCAA tournament, the similarities are striking.
The ceiling with Edwards based off of physical features alone is higher than Thomas. Edwards is taller, stronger and faster. If however he does want to work into a true point guard role, Edwards must focus on his passing and playmaking which has always been a weak point in his career.
Thomas was never the greatest passer, but he wasn’t bad by any means. Edwards often misses the open man and at times has tunnel vision. The similarities are there, and if developed Edwards has the ability to be Boston’s next great point guard.