15. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Last Rank: No. 17
Position: Point Guard
Age: 27
Slash Line: .422/.343/.890
Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 21.6 PPG, 6.7 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.9 3PM
The Boston Celtics aren’t slowing down, and Isaiah Thomas is the man who sets their pace. The 5’9″ point guard has consistently stepped up in the face of adversity, leading Boston in the clutch and providing a steady impact as both a scorer and a facilitator.
A first-time All-Star in 2015-16, Boston’s success and Thomas’ leadership are making it very hard to justify a potential omission from the All-NBA teams.
Thomas is No. 13 in the NBA in scoring and No. 9 in assists per game. He accounts for 35.3 percent of the Celtics’ total offense, and that doesn’t account for the vast number of possessions during which he serves as a decoy and forces the defense to collapse.
Thomas is also No. 12 in the Association in Win Shares, which is an accurate reflection of what he’s provided Boston with.
A team that’s generally regarded as deep with no star, Boston is riding Thomas’ influence to the postseason. The 37-25 Celtics are just 6.5 games back of the No. 1 seed and are in somewhat firm control of the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Anything is possible from hereon out, but a team that’s 12 games above .500 is as close to legitimate as they come.
Next: No. 14