Isaiah Thomas also commonly referred to as "IT" was beloved by the city of Boston during his time there as a player, despite his height he always hard heart — that was inevitable. After many NBA seasons, he's still receiving that same affection from fans supporting the guys in green. It's a special feeling for Thomas and he thinks that he was a piece of this past June's title.
There were countless steps taken before the success that occurred on June 17. The Celtics did not enter the 2023-24 season as good as they were if not for the past players who built the foundation of it all. Thomas discusses what it means to be a "piece" of another banner soon to be placed in the rafters.
“I understand I was a stepping stone in the right direction,” Thomas said (h/t Boston.com). “That’s still an amazing feeling. Even though I’m not a part of their championship team, I was a piece to get them to where they are today. I’ll always have love for the city of Boston. I have love for the organization and I’m super thankful for the love they give me.”
Boston loves you back, Thomas. The memories that were created whenever he wore the green and white were truly special — it was not because he stood at five-foot-nine — it's what he did while standing at five-foot-nine.
The impact was one-of-a-kind.
Joe Mazzulla acknowledges the Boston Celtics organization's past
Joe Mazzulla has not been a head coach for long (yet, he still won an NBA title) but realizes the importance of those who entered the organization before he did. In a similar respect to Thomas' point of view.
“I think the most important thing, something that’s really been going through my mind throughout this process, is you can’t lose sight of the people that came before us,” Mazzulla said. “And I want to make sure every person that’s worked for the Celtics, that’s played for the Celtics that didn’t win, knows that their work and what they have done has not gone unnoticed or it doesn’t play a part in where we are at today.”
The feelings are mutual between Mazzulla and Thomas. That supportive nature is what keeps the wheel spinning — perhaps into another NBA championship (that remains to be seen, of course).
Thank you for everything, IT. Your work has not been forgotten.