Charlotte finally extended Isaiah Thomas’ freelance in North Carolina for ten more days. The veteran point guard, who has averaged nearly 10 points over his first four games in his new colors, could be invaluable in developing Buzz City’s young stars, with LaMelo Ball leading the way.
As we have seen on some images unveiled by the franchise in the privacy of the locker room, “IT” speaks a lot to Lonzo Ball’s little brother, to whom he promises a great future.
“He will become the face of this league”, had thus slipped Isaiah Thomas after Charlotte’s victory on the Pelicans floor. “He’s already an All-Star. Give him two or three years and he’ll easily be Top 5, Top 10 in this league. It’s a special skill. He is very young. He has great energy. His pace of play is something you can’t teach. And he’s, what, a little over two meters tall? It has everything you need”.
A weighty ally for James Borrego
Even if the two players evolve in a slightly different register, more scorer than organizer for Isaiah Thomas, LaMelo Ball necessarily has something to learn from his eldest, if only for his high level experience, in the best like in the worst times. And IT seems to take its role to heart.
“My job while I’m here is to make sure he’s focused on taking every possession seriously and leading this team.”he added. “Even though he is 19-20 years old, he often has the ball in his hands. So he has to be able to take on that responsibility of leading the guys, even if it’s not vocally, just the way he plays. And he gave a good example [face aux Pelicans]. This kid has huge potential. It was one of the most complete matches I’ve seen Melo play. He controlled the offense with every possession. He controlled everything throughout the match.
In 31 minutes, LaMelo Ball had indeed made a rather clean copy, 17 points (6/12 shooting), 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and above all a single lost ball, his cute sin, he who had some lost six in the previous game, against Boston.
James Borrego underlined the contribution of his veteran, a position held by Ish Smith until the “trade deadline”, whom he sees as a coach in the shoes of a player, and who therefore provides him with valuable assistance.
“I would like Melo to get a little more away from the ball. They’re so focused on him, so physical with him on pick-and-rolls that if I can get him off the ball, it’s just going to add another dimension to our offense. And the way IT can see things, understanding match-ups can help ussaid James Borrego. “He is like my extension on the field. He sees the match-ups, the systems we should be running and is going to make it happen on the pitch. So he adds more depth to that attack.”
Valuable experience
More generally, Isaiah Thomas feels comfortable in this role of mentor, and not only towards LaMelo Ball. Players like Miles Bridges, Terry Rozier and others can benefit from his advice.
“He makes sure everyone keeps a cool head”pointed out Miles Bridges. “He’s been where we want to go. He went to the playoffs, he reached the Eastern Conference finals. He therefore makes sure that everyone keeps their heads on their shoulders, that everyone realizes that a match is long, that we are good, and that even if the opponent makes a series, we have to respond, hitchhiking, all those little things. He’s just a great veteran and a great teammate.”
Isaiah Thomas also understood what more he could bring to these young Hornets beyond his simple contribution to the field, with his sights set on the possibility of finishing the season in Charlotte and finally being able to settle down a bit. He therefore plays the big brother card thoroughly.
“I am comfortable here. The guys and the staff welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to be myself. They allow me to lead, speak and help young people. And that’s why I’m here, to leave an imprint on these young people, because as I said earlier, I’ve seen it all.he added. “My wisdom and experience can help them, because they are already talented. But you have to be more than talented to succeed in this league. So my job is to help LaMelo, to help Terry Rozier and everyone else while I’m here. It’s just about having a positive impact on the franchise in any way possible.”
| isaiah thomas | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2011-12 | BAG | 65 | 26 | 44.8 | 37.9 | 83.2 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 11.5 |
| 2012-13 | BAG | 79 | 27 | 44.0 | 35.8 | 88.2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 13.9 |
| 2013-14 | BAG | 72 | 35 | 45.3 | 34.9 | 85.0 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 6.3 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 20.4 |
| 2014-15* | All Teams | 67 | 26 | 42.0 | 37.3 | 86.8 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 16.4 |
| 2014-15* | PHX | 46 | 26 | 42.6 | 39.1 | 87.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 15.2 |
| 2014-15* | BOS | 21 | 26 | 41.1 | 34.5 | 86.1 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 0.0 | 19.1 |
| 2015-16 | BOS | 82 | 32 | 42.8 | 35.9 | 87.1 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 22.2 |
| 2016-17 | BOS | 76 | 34 | 46.3 | 37.9 | 90.9 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 5.9 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 28.9 |
| 2017-18 * | All Teams | 32 | 27 | 37.3 | 29.3 | 89.3 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 15.2 |
| 2017-18 * | ALL | 17 | 27 | 38.3 | 32.7 | 92.1 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 3.2 | 0.1 | 15.6 |
| 2017-18 * | KEY | 15 | 27 | 36.1 | 25.3 | 86.8 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 4.5 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 14.7 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 12 | 15 | 34.3 | 27.9 | 63.0 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 8.1 |
| 2019-20 | WAS | 40 | 23 | 40.8 | 41.3 | 81.6 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 12.2 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 3 | 16 | 33.3 | 25.0 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 7.7 |
| 2021-22 * | All Teams | 8 | 19 | 35.7 | 28.2 | 78.6 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 9.0 |
| 2021-22 * | ALL | 4 | 25 | 30.8 | 22.7 | 72.7 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 9.3 |
| 2021-22 * | CHA | 3 | 14 | 43.5 | 42.9 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 9.7 |
| 2021-22 * | LAD | 1 | 13 | 37.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
| Total | 536 | 29 | 43.4 | 36.2 | 87.2 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 17.9 | |
