meh. isaiah thomas needs to feel "very disrespected." that motivation is essential to his game; IT is out to prove the doubters wrong. he's wired to play with a chip on his shoulder. it's a great quality with respect to his individual performance. that said, it can also be problematic to the team concept, particularly if you can't justify limiting his minutes due to a lack of options at the PG position. this is the catch-22 of such a player, and the kings decided that it wasn't worth what it would cost to continue juggling those issues...
Isaiah Thomas says Kings disrespected him
- Thread starter PurpleHaze
- Start date
- Status
I wouldn't go that far. Yes, the Kings drafted him but had they not, IT would have most likely gotten a summer league invite from at least one team if not a couple. And I'm guessing he would have played well enough to make a roster if not have his choice of a few.
What the Kings gave Thomas (by virtue of their mishmashed roster) was an opportunity to win a starting job. The options at PG were Tyreke Evans (who started getting played at SG that season), Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas. Very few other teams in the league would have given the last pick in the 2nd round a legit shot at a starting job other than in the case of injury to the starter. And I think that set up expectations on IT's part that wouldn't have existed elsewhere. And those expectations were only increased by the fact that the players they brought in to potentially supplant him (Brooks, Vasquez etc) were marginal talents themselves.
I look at IT's feeling of being disrespected the same way I view Jason Thompson's unhappiness. As byproducts of a poorly run team. Imagine if JT had been drafted by the Spurs. I seriously doubt he would be complaining about touches in the same way. Because he would have been given a role on a winning team and shown precisely what was and wasn't expected of him. And I think he'd be a much better player for it. Not statistically, but in terms of being able to contribute and understand what his job on the court was.
Similarly, I think IT should have always been groomed as a change of pace, sixth man type guard. I initially thought it was strange that IT thought the Kings disrespected him by trying to make him an off the bench guard when Phoenix almost certainly signed him to play that role for the Suns. But then I realized that Thomas likely thinks he'll beat out either Dragic or Bledsoe (assuming he returns) as well as Ennis for a starting role. I'll be curious to see how he responds if indeed he is used as a bench player.
What the Kings gave Thomas (by virtue of their mishmashed roster) was an opportunity to win a starting job. The options at PG were Tyreke Evans (who started getting played at SG that season), Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas. Very few other teams in the league would have given the last pick in the 2nd round a legit shot at a starting job other than in the case of injury to the starter. And I think that set up expectations on IT's part that wouldn't have existed elsewhere. And those expectations were only increased by the fact that the players they brought in to potentially supplant him (Brooks, Vasquez etc) were marginal talents themselves.
I look at IT's feeling of being disrespected the same way I view Jason Thompson's unhappiness. As byproducts of a poorly run team. Imagine if JT had been drafted by the Spurs. I seriously doubt he would be complaining about touches in the same way. Because he would have been given a role on a winning team and shown precisely what was and wasn't expected of him. And I think he'd be a much better player for it. Not statistically, but in terms of being able to contribute and understand what his job on the court was.
Similarly, I think IT should have always been groomed as a change of pace, sixth man type guard. I initially thought it was strange that IT thought the Kings disrespected him by trying to make him an off the bench guard when Phoenix almost certainly signed him to play that role for the Suns. But then I realized that Thomas likely thinks he'll beat out either Dragic or Bledsoe (assuming he returns) as well as Ennis for a starting role. I'll be curious to see how he responds if indeed he is used as a bench player.
I will not argue this point but let us remember we are evaluating IT knowing how he played in 3 NBA seasons. In SL he was still a little guy with a lot of athletic ability and as much as people made a fuss about his height as to its significance, being short would have hurt him.
My biggest concern was that his many comments about being a team leader would eventually have him squashed like a bug by Boogie. More logically I will say that this team could have had a locker room that was poisonous with Boogie and IT. This team is constructed so that Boogie is numero uno. He's the big cheese. That's the way it should be. No one on this team will pop off that he is the team leader. The players will defer quietly to Boogie. A happy Boogie is good for the Kings.
As an example scenario, if by good fortune Stauskas became ROY and even an All Star, he would not challenge Boogie. I do not catch any whiff of a "look at me I'm great" vibe from Nik. The only player of a caliber who could claim to be a team leader by virtue of his basketball skills and age is Rudy. I will bet massive amounts of money that Rudy is happy being Boogie's wing man.
The Kings are Boogie's team by virtue of his personality and by virtue of the coaching staff's wishes. IT would have thrown a wrench into that set up. I have not liked IT for two years. I feel somewhat vindicated by his "poor me" stance vis a vis the Kings.
My biggest concern was that his many comments about being a team leader would eventually have him squashed like a bug by Boogie. More logically I will say that this team could have had a locker room that was poisonous with Boogie and IT. This team is constructed so that Boogie is numero uno. He's the big cheese. That's the way it should be. No one on this team will pop off that he is the team leader. The players will defer quietly to Boogie. A happy Boogie is good for the Kings.
As an example scenario, if by good fortune Stauskas became ROY and even an All Star, he would not challenge Boogie. I do not catch any whiff of a "look at me I'm great" vibe from Nik. The only player of a caliber who could claim to be a team leader by virtue of his basketball skills and age is Rudy. I will bet massive amounts of money that Rudy is happy being Boogie's wing man.
The Kings are Boogie's team by virtue of his personality and by virtue of the coaching staff's wishes. IT would have thrown a wrench into that set up. I have not liked IT for two years. I feel somewhat vindicated by his "poor me" stance vis a vis the Kings.
Last edited:
IT struck gold when the Kings drafted him. He happened to have been drafted by a team that was mismanaged and miscoached and became a starting pg. It aggravates me that he has no warm feelings about the opportunity he received here. I wonder how much money he made by being a starter for the Kings as opposed to any other scenario. IT is the center of the world.
The thing that bothers me is not just that we gave the guy every opportunity in the world on the court, we had the meddling Maloofs promoting him as a viable ROY candidate, we had both sets of owners putting him forward as a face of the franchise (not "the face", but "a face"). I mean we were nothing but great to this guy. This is a franchise that's fan base loves the B-Jax's, Christie and Pollard's every bit as much as the Richmond and Webber.
If he could accept a team player's role and this team started winning, he would be a friggin legend. I really don't see that happening in Phoenix, he's going to be a platoon guy and likely he'll be the third guy unless one of the bigger guys in front of him moves on, and he's likely going to be the subject of far more criticism than he ever got in Sac. They may have put his name up in lights at the arena for the sales pitch but I doubt he's going to be the pizza guy or a major ad campaign there anytime this season. We'll see.
If he could accept a team player's role and this team started winning, he would be a friggin legend. I really don't see that happening in Phoenix, he's going to be a platoon guy and likely he'll be the third guy unless one of the bigger guys in front of him moves on, and he's likely going to be the subject of far more criticism than he ever got in Sac. They may have put his name up in lights at the arena for the sales pitch but I doubt he's going to be the pizza guy or a major ad campaign there anytime this season. We'll see.
Here I thought Thomas was more of a professional than that. He is a grown man and he still walks around with some kind of chip on his shoulder, I get it, he is undersized, people doubt you your whole life, that does not entitle you to go and call out your team that gave you a shot and a starting one to boot. Good riddance IT.
1. I’m so glad that I.T isn’t with the Kings anymore.
2. I’m glad that he’s happy with the Suns but I do hope he realizes that he’s going to be used as 6th man. Something he didn’t want to do over here and it’s something that he’s complaining about.
3. I don’t care that you were the 60th pick in the draft and you made it on the team. Yes, it’s incredible and a great achievement but everything isn’t woe is me. Congratulations on making our roster, being a great energy off the bench and then getting a big contract with the Suns. But that’s that. Be happy, move on, and be grateful that you got a fantastic opportunity in Sacramento.
4. Try to improve your game, there was a reason that I never liked him as a starter. I don’t care how many points he scored (and I love guys who can score). He constantly blamed his teammates, didn’t pass the ball and couldn’t or didn’t want to defend - he never understood why he was always being “replaced,” maybe he should watch footage. And I blame the coaching staff for not getting on him.
5. Instead of thinking about the team, he thinks about himself. They were bringing someone new because they wanted to make the team better. You want to create a balanced roster, a roster that succeeds, but he didn’t see it that way - his mentality of “I’m being replaced” and “I should be starter” isn’t someone that I want on this team.
http://aroyalpain.com/2014/07/23/isaiah-thomas-says-disrespected-sacramento-kings/
Does he mean bad for us or bad for them (the Suns)?
Last but not least, him and James Harden should play on a team together.
2. I’m glad that he’s happy with the Suns but I do hope he realizes that he’s going to be used as 6th man. Something he didn’t want to do over here and it’s something that he’s complaining about.
3. I don’t care that you were the 60th pick in the draft and you made it on the team. Yes, it’s incredible and a great achievement but everything isn’t woe is me. Congratulations on making our roster, being a great energy off the bench and then getting a big contract with the Suns. But that’s that. Be happy, move on, and be grateful that you got a fantastic opportunity in Sacramento.
4. Try to improve your game, there was a reason that I never liked him as a starter. I don’t care how many points he scored (and I love guys who can score). He constantly blamed his teammates, didn’t pass the ball and couldn’t or didn’t want to defend - he never understood why he was always being “replaced,” maybe he should watch footage. And I blame the coaching staff for not getting on him.
5. Instead of thinking about the team, he thinks about himself. They were bringing someone new because they wanted to make the team better. You want to create a balanced roster, a roster that succeeds, but he didn’t see it that way - his mentality of “I’m being replaced” and “I should be starter” isn’t someone that I want on this team.
http://aroyalpain.com/2014/07/23/isaiah-thomas-says-disrespected-sacramento-kings/
Does he mean bad for us or bad for them (the Suns)?
Last but not least, him and James Harden should play on a team together.
I said something the other day about his need to cannibalize all the competition within his own team. It could be very messy in Phx cause he's got a lot more competition than the jimmer Fredettes, GVs and Aaron brooks of the world.
He'll see the situation in Phx as he did the situation here. Who do I have to beat out to start?
He'll see the situation in Phx as he did the situation here. Who do I have to beat out to start?
IT's comments are whiny and and not worthy of a mature adult. His comments just convinced me we are far better off without that ego on our team. I may have to think a long time, before I can remember if he as ever talked about the team being the most important thing, not his stats or role. Yeah, a lot of people have doubted you, IT. Get over it. That's a dead horse you're beating.
The whole interview is worth a read, really: http://www.sactownroyalty.com/2014/7/31/5954279/Isaiah-Thomas-Departure-From-Kings
This is the part from what you quoted I think is kinda loony:
You say that you are OK coming off the bench if the guy in front of you is better than you. How many guys in this league are better than you in your eyes?
I don't think nobody is better than me, honestly. But nah, there are certain guys that no matter who comes in, he's going to start: Chris Paul, Steph Curry, [Russell] Westbrook - those types of guys, All-Star caliber guys. Like I said, if you're not bringing guys in that made the All-Star team or the Olympic team or stuff like that, I feel like I'm better than them.
You say that you are OK coming off the bench if the guy in front of you is better than you. How many guys in this league are better than you in your eyes?
I don't think nobody is better than me, honestly. But nah, there are certain guys that no matter who comes in, he's going to start: Chris Paul, Steph Curry, [Russell] Westbrook - those types of guys, All-Star caliber guys. Like I said, if you're not bringing guys in that made the All-Star team or the Olympic team or stuff like that, I feel like I'm better than them.
Just went silent?
They didn't reach out to me. They only reached out when I signed my deal so I mean I had a feeling, I kind of knew I wasn't coming back. Other than coming back for Mike Malone, I didn't think nobody really wanted me, like they wanted Darren Collison. Not like that, but I mean, they picked Darren Collison the second day of free agency. He's a good player; I hope the best for him and the Sacramento Kings, honestly.
Seems to me it's not much of a jump to believe the on-court issues we had which led to the players only meetings where IT suddenly gave up the rock a bit more the following few weeks had a fair amount to do with IT.
As for IT and his "Like I said, if you're not bringing guys in that made the All-Star team or the Olympic team or stuff like that, I feel like I'm better than them" comment, he does realize neither Dragic nor Bledsoe have been All Stars or on the Olympic team, right? He does realize no teams around the league treated him as the level of player he apparently thinks he is, right? And, when it comes to "being replaced", he does realize much of that was about roles along with adding depth, right? Apparently not, but usually the better 6th men are better than the guy starting ahead of him and it's based on roles and balance within a roster, not ultimately who's the better or more talented player.
IT's ego doesn't let him see the team dynamic and that's really a negative when you're considered a leader and the freakin PG. It has a trickle down effect that doesn't exist with the other four positions out there as your main responsibility is balancing the floor, getting the team into sets and getting other guys off. Very tough to do if your main priority is constantly proving you're a scoring PG who's better than any non-All Star or non-Olympic level player.
If I was IT, an important question to ask is why as such a key member of the team, he felt no one wanted him back? That's not just an important question for his career in Pho or elsewhere down the road but for life in general. He's got the talent to be a very key and important player for a playoff level team if he keeps his ego in check. He should actually take a hint from Reke who basically only says, I want to win, I want to help, I'll do whatever coach asks. Then, let your play dictate where the chips may fall.
They didn't reach out to me. They only reached out when I signed my deal so I mean I had a feeling, I kind of knew I wasn't coming back. Other than coming back for Mike Malone, I didn't think nobody really wanted me, like they wanted Darren Collison. Not like that, but I mean, they picked Darren Collison the second day of free agency. He's a good player; I hope the best for him and the Sacramento Kings, honestly.
Seems to me it's not much of a jump to believe the on-court issues we had which led to the players only meetings where IT suddenly gave up the rock a bit more the following few weeks had a fair amount to do with IT.
As for IT and his "Like I said, if you're not bringing guys in that made the All-Star team or the Olympic team or stuff like that, I feel like I'm better than them" comment, he does realize neither Dragic nor Bledsoe have been All Stars or on the Olympic team, right? He does realize no teams around the league treated him as the level of player he apparently thinks he is, right? And, when it comes to "being replaced", he does realize much of that was about roles along with adding depth, right? Apparently not, but usually the better 6th men are better than the guy starting ahead of him and it's based on roles and balance within a roster, not ultimately who's the better or more talented player.
IT's ego doesn't let him see the team dynamic and that's really a negative when you're considered a leader and the freakin PG. It has a trickle down effect that doesn't exist with the other four positions out there as your main responsibility is balancing the floor, getting the team into sets and getting other guys off. Very tough to do if your main priority is constantly proving you're a scoring PG who's better than any non-All Star or non-Olympic level player.
If I was IT, an important question to ask is why as such a key member of the team, he felt no one wanted him back? That's not just an important question for his career in Pho or elsewhere down the road but for life in general. He's got the talent to be a very key and important player for a playoff level team if he keeps his ego in check. He should actually take a hint from Reke who basically only says, I want to win, I want to help, I'll do whatever coach asks. Then, let your play dictate where the chips may fall.
Last edited:
Little man proved what a lot of us have been saying. He has no plans to be a 6th man. For anyone. And that includes the suns. I hope they realize that. Actually, I hope he destroys their team chemistry cause we may be battling them for a playoff spot.
I hope he realizes how crazy he sounds with some of that talk.
Dude ain't starting in Phx, but he thinks he will. "They didn't really say nothing about starting or coming off the bench and I'm happy with that. They didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, ‘you're going to start from day one,' no, you're going to come in and compete and you're going to have a big role on this team."
Who is this guy competing with? His own team? And for what? To start? Score the most points? The mind of Isaiah Thomas is quite a thing.
He may settle in and be a pro and accept his role. But he'll always be waiting for a chance to start. He seems fairly single-minded in that goal.
I hope he realizes how crazy he sounds with some of that talk.
Dude ain't starting in Phx, but he thinks he will. "They didn't really say nothing about starting or coming off the bench and I'm happy with that. They didn't tell me what I wanted to hear, ‘you're going to start from day one,' no, you're going to come in and compete and you're going to have a big role on this team."
Who is this guy competing with? His own team? And for what? To start? Score the most points? The mind of Isaiah Thomas is quite a thing.
He may settle in and be a pro and accept his role. But he'll always be waiting for a chance to start. He seems fairly single-minded in that goal.
The fact that he doesn't realize how crazy he sounds is a major problem for him. He may think it makes him sound confident and teams would like that but I think he actually believes it and that is part of the reason the Kings let him go. Letting him go helps me have faith in PDA and his cohorts. It almost makes up for them signing Landry. 
If he gets beat out, he'll respond like he always does - go out there and play his A$$ off, which is exactly what you want. Why would curiosity even enter into it? Has he moped, has he gone off on teamates, on coaches, when throughout his limited career, he's had to battle every year for a starting job? Hell no. So why would he do it now? I'll tell you what's going to happen, if you're curious - the Suns are going to have the best trio of guards in the NBA. That's what's going to happen.
- Status