Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Ranking The League’s Top 10 Point Guards In 2016-17

By Gerald Bourguet

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the fourth quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors won 120-111. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
NBA
Oct 26, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) drives the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Isaiah Thomas

2015-16 Stats:  22.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.1 SPG, .428/.359/.871 shooting, 21.5 PER

Jae Crowder was probably the Boston Celtics‘ most well-rounded player (before Al Horford joined), Avery Bradley might be their X-factor, and Horford will be the catalyst if they make the jump from “playoff team” to “biggest Eastern threat to the Cavaliers.” But there’s no question that Isaiah Thomas is the Celtics’ heart and soul.

This ranking might seem high for a one-sided player like Thomas, who struggles on the defensive end due in no small part (get it?) to his 5’9″ frame. Advanced statistics don’t love him as much as some of the other guys on this list, and he’s not a terribly efficient scorer either. And yet, it hasn’t stopped him from becoming an instant fan favorite and offensive dynamo.

There’s no tangible measure for his ability to inspire the Boston faithful, but his instant connection with this blue-collar fan base shouldn’t be taken for granted. Thomas is pure, unadulterated fun, and his spot on last year’s All-Star team was well-deserved.

I.T.’s spot on this list isn’t just because he’s fun to watch though. His first two games of the 2016-17 campaign — 25 points, nine assists, six rebounds against the Nets and 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting against the Bulls — show he might not be done improving at age 27.