When it comes to improbable prodigies, Jeremy Lin is in a class all his own, yet the Sacramento Kings’ Isaiah Thomas is rapidly proving to be a not-so-distant second.
The 60th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft is on a tear in Sacramento right now, and is giving fans at least one reason to watch the Kings’ otherwise pitiful games.
For the season, Thomas is averaging 8.5 points and 2.2 assists per game, but those modest stat lines only begin to tell the story. He has scored in double-figures in four straight games, and most recently helped propel his team to victory over an arguably more talented Cleveland Cavaliers team.
While Thomas’ playing time has been inconsistent at best, he has thrived in an increased role over the last five games or so. When the undersized point guard is on the court, Sacramento looks faster, smarter and at times, even competent.
Did I go one too far?
Absolutely not.
The expectations for Thomas as he entered his rookie season were nearly non-existent. He was too small, too erratic and incapable of running an offense at the NBA level.
And yet here we are, halfway through the season, and now privy to the notion that while severely undersized, Thomas has been severely underestimated. He is creating not only for himself, but his teammates as well, and knocking down the deep ball on a consistent basis.
Thomas is the West Coast’s version of a Cinderella story, and his recent displays are not to be overlooked. Sure, he stands at only 5’9″, but so does Nate Robinson, and he has become one of the best offensive weapons off the bench in the NBA. Not only is Thomas just as explosive as Robinson, but he has playmaking and defensive abilities the Golden State Warrior does not.
Thomas’ numbers can easily be chalked up to his environment. On a lowly Kings team, any athlete, given the opportunity, is liable to bolster their stat lines, right?
Wrong. If that were the case, how do you explain Jimmer Fredette’s production, or lack thereof? Jimmermania is currently being out-performed by the last pick in the draft. Literally.
Fredette was supposed to be the Kings’ savior, yet Thomas has emerged as Sacarmento’s most efficient rookie, and best draft-day selection overall.
Tough talk? You bet, but Thomas is a tough kid. His resilience is remarkable, and almost Lin-like.
The Kings have a plethora of young talent that hasn’t quite figured out how to play off of each other just yet. That said they are a noticeably more cohesive unit when Thomas is on the court. He hasn’t revived the Sacramento franchise the way that Lin has the Knicks, or become a worldwide sensation, but he has made a name for himself.
And like Lin, he has exposed gaping holes in the not-art of scouting.
Thomas will continue to take a backseat to the overnight sensation that is Linsanity, but he can take solace in knowing that is rise to prominence is just as significant, just as heartwarming, just as impressive and just as real.
And much bigger than Jimmermania.
Dan Favale is an avid basketball analyst and firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His work can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
