In about a week, the starters for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game will be announced, followed by the rest of the team a week later. While I'll divulge my personal All-Star teams soon, I'd like to make a short case for why Isaiah Thomas, the Celtics diminutive point guard, should be on the Eastern Conference roster. (Full, semi-obvious disclosure: I'm a big Celtics fan)
For starters, the way all-star rosters are set up allow for as many as seven backcourt players, meaning there can theoretically be as many as seven point guards on the roster. So the more obvious all-star point guards such as John Wall and Kyle Lowry won't mean more point guards can't make the team. This seems obvious, but it is a factor, especially in today's NBA, where there's like, four good shooting guards.
Second, his numbers speak for themselves. He's averaging 21.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 1.3 steals, while shooting .421/.335/.892, which is pretty good for a 5'9" volume shooter. He's the leading scorer among east point guards, and is shooting better from the field and averaging more assists than Lowry. He's fifth among eastern backcourt players in real plus minus, and, while not as useful a stat in basketball as it is in baseball, he's has the fourth highest wins added of any east backcourt player. He's been a top five backcourt player in the east this season, no way around it.
Third, he's just entertaining to watch. He's just so crafty. He's like Antawn Jamison crossed with Nate Robinson. I've always had a soft spot for unapologetic gunners, and when Isaiah gets hot, he's exactly that. Another fun thing: he's tie Calvin Murphy for shortest All-Star. Look at some of these highlights:
Get this guy to Toronto, STAT!
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