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NBA Player Power Rankings: Superstars Keep Making History

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shake hands after a game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) controls the ball past Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) controls the ball past Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Position: Point Guard
Age: 28 (2/7/1989)
Experience: 6th Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .463/.382/.912
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.1 MPG, 29.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 2.6 RPG, 0.9 SPG, 3.2 3PM

The Boston Celtics are closing in on a 50-win season and Isaiah Thomas is scoring at a level only rivaled by Larry Bird and John Havlicek. Though Thomas may not be the MVP in 2016-17, he’d likely win the award in most other seasons.

Thomas is all but universally panned in the advanced metrics community, but he’s scoring at a historic rate and taking over games when it matters most.

Thomas continued his tremendous season by torching his former team, the Phoenix Suns, for 34 points and seven assists in a 130-120 victory. He followed with 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting during a 112-108 victory over the Miami Heat.

One game later, he tallied 32 points and three steals against the Milwaukee Bucks—a game that further etched his name into Celtics history.

Any time a player is mentioned with Bird, Havlicek, Sam Jones, Kevin McHale, and Paul Pierce, they’re doing something right.

Thomas is currently second in the NBA in points per game, which is only a fraction of what makes his season so special. He’s tied with Russell Westbrook for the league lead in fourth quarter points per game—and he’s doing so on an efficient slash line of .469/.381/.898.

Thomas may not test well in in the advanced metrics, but he’s the closer and go-to scorer for a team that’s two wins away from a 50-win season.