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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Stars And Snubs Form The Top 20

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) celebrates after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-115 at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) controls the ball while Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) controls the ball while Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (2/7/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .462/.380/.908
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 29.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.8 RPG, 0.8 SPG, 3.0 3PM

If you’re focused on advanced metrics and what happens for the first 36 minutes, then you won’t like Isaiah Thomas being ranked No. 6. If you’re looking at the end game of winning and losing, however, it’s hard to argue against him.

Thomas may be No. 17 amongst point guards in Real Plus-Minus, but he’s also No. 1 in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring—meaning he consistently steps up when it matters most.

Thomas is currently averaging 10.1 points per fourth quarter on a slash line of .477/.415/.901. He’s No. 2 in the NBA with 29.1 total points per game and accounts for 44.2 points per game between his individual scoring and assists.

As it pertains to winning and losing games, there’s nothing more vital to team success than closing out strong, and no closer has been better than Thomas.

This past week, Thomas went toe-to-toe with James Harden, outplayed him, and led his team to victory. He went off for 38 points and nine assists on 15-of-27 shooting as Boston secured a massive 120-109 win over Harden and the Houston Rockets.

Thomas may not be an MVP candidate based on the advanced metrics, but there’s no one better with the game on the line.