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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Star Break Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) hold their all star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) hold their all star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) in overtime at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Clippers in overtime 139-134. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) in overtime at TD Garden. Celtics defeated the Clippers in overtime 139-134. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Last Rank: No. 19

Position: Point Guard

Age: 27

Slash Line: .423/.347/.897

Season Averages: 32.5 MPG, 21.5 PPG, 6.6 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.9 3PM

Isaiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics continue to defy the odds. Behind Thomas’ leadership and production, the Celtics are off to a 32-23 start, which is good for a win percentage of .582 and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Thomas will make his first career All-Star Game appearance in 2016, and there’s no way around how deserving he is of that distinction.

Thomas is the ultimate underdog. He’s a 5’9″ point guard who was selected with the very last pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, but defied the odds to emerge as one of the best point guards in the Association.

At No. 9 in the NBA in assists per game, No. 12 in scoring, and No. 14 in 3-point field goals made, Thomas is having one of the best offensive seasons of any active player.

After scoring 22 points in an upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thomas recorded 22 points and nine assists in 28 minutes against his former team, the Sacramento Kings. He was underwhelming against the Milwaukee Bucks, but responded with 36 points and 11 assists over Chris Paul and the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers.

The underdog narrative is one that is as valid as it is inspiring, but Thomas is far more than just a player who wasn’t supposed to make it. He’s a star.

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