LeBron's new sidekick to make debut, but 'it feels like I lost my powers'
Isaiah Thomas is getting ready to make his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers and many are wondering if the hip injury that caused him to miss the first 36 games of the season will have lingering effects — including Thomas himself.
Thomas admits it may take some time before he’s back to where he was.
“I mean, my hip is better but I have no rhythm,” he told reporters. “I have no feel for the game right now. I’ve been out for so long it feels like I lost my powers. So even when we’re out there scrimmaging I can move around and do what I want but I just don’t have my powers yet.
Thomas was involved in the biggest blockbuster trade of the offseason when the Celtics traded him, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, the Nets 2018 first-round pick, and the Celtics 2018 second-round pick for Kyrie Irving.
Thomas had a career year last season, leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference finals, where they lost to the Cavs. Thomas had been playing with a hip injury throughout the playoffs, but was finally forced to sit out after game two of the Cleveland series. The 5’9″ point guard averaged 28.9 points per game a season ago, good for third in the NBA.
The trade came as a shock to Thomas, who had become something of a folk hero in Boston in his three seasons there.
But now, he’s ready to move on with his new team, playing alongside LeBron James.
“I’m just ready to put the grind forward and give the fans what they want to see and make this season something special,” Thomas said.
Isaiah Thomas: "I’m just ready to put the grind forward and give the fans what they want to see and make this season something special."
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 1, 2018
The Cavs and Thomas are eyeing a return to the court Tuesday against Portland at home. If he plays Tuesday, it’s unlikely he’ll play when the Cavs travel to Boston on Wednesday, as coach Tyronn Lue said Thomas wouldn’t play in back-to-back games at first. And he’ll be on a minutes restriction.
“I know where I am right now and I wouldn’t want to put myself out there to just try to force it,” Thomas said. “But I can wait until February. I think we play them in February again so I can wait and put on a show then.”
Irving — who has led the Celtics to a 30-10 record, the best in the Eastern Conference — said he expects Thomas to get a huge reception when he returns to Boston.
“That guy put on some performances, epic performances,” Irving said, reported ESPN. “And, for the city of Boston, what he gave on a consistent basis, you were just wondering how that tough-nosed m—–f—– was just getting it done every single night and demanding from his teammates and playing with an edge that really cemented himself as a premier player in this league.”
“And you’re just nothing short of happy for a guy like that. And whether or not he plays, it’s going to be nothing but love for him from Boston,” Irving added.
The Cavs have hit a rough patch, losing three straight, and certainly could use a life from Thomas.
“We want him back,” Lue told ESPN. “We need him back. We need a guy who can run pick-and-roll, can score the basketball, can get to the free throw line, can play with pace, can get into the paint. We need that. We’re excited about him. He’s very close. I understand how it feels to want to play, and the medical staff is saying he just needs a little bit more time. He has to be patient. I have to be patient. The players have to be patient.”
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