Is Isaiah Thomas a Top 5 Point Guard in the NBA?

As of August 2023, Isaiah Thomas is not widely considered one of the top five point guards in the NBA. While he had an outstanding season in 2016, becoming an All-Star and finishing fifth in MVP voting, his career has been marked by challenges including injuries and a decline in performance. This article delves into the current standing of Isaiah Thomas among NBA point guards and provides a detailed analysis of the situation.

Current Standing in the NBA

The top point guards in the NBA are typically discussed as follows:

Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors Luka Don?i? - Dallas Mavericks Kyrie Irving - Dallas Mavericks Damian Lillard - Portland Trail Blazers Ja Morant - Memphis Grizzlies

Other notable mentions include DeAaron Fox and Trae Young. Despite his strong performances, Isaiah Thomas has not been consistently in the top tier of point guards in recent years.

Arguments for Isaiah Thomas as a Top 5 Point Guard

The only point guards placing ahead of Isaiah Thomas are Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul. Isaiah Thomas and John Wall are next. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that Isaiah Thomas is indeed one of the top 5 point guards in the league.

Isaiah Thomas has played a crucial role in leading the Boston Celtics to the 1st seed. His incredible offensive performances have been a key factor. Moreover, after the tragic loss of his 22-year-old sister, he has continued to play exceptionally well in the postseason, even scoring a career-high 53 points, a feat achieved just 24 hours after undergoing several dental operations. Additionally, he has accomplished all of this while being the shortest player in the NBA at 5 feet and 8 inches.

Statistical Analysis

When considering stats, Isaiah Thomas can certainly compete for a spot in the top 5 point guards. The following is a current evaluation:

Russell Westbrook John Wall Kyrie Irving Stephen Curry Chris Paul / Isaiah Thomas

It is worth noting that only four of these players are helping their teams achieve wins. Thus, the question arises: are Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul truly better?

Perhaps a more accurate comparison between Irving and Curry and between Paul and Wall would be:

Irving / Curry Paul / Wall

This coin toss might indeed be significant, as they are all set to meet again in the playoffs.

In-Depth Analysis of Isaiah Thomas’ Career

Over the first four seasons of his NBA career, Isaiah Thomas was an above-average point guard, a fringe starter with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. He had some impressive scoring seasons, including a 20 points per game average in the 2013-14 season, but he was not considered one of the league's best point guards.

However, his arrival in Boston Celtics in 2015 marked a turning point for both the franchise and Thomas' career. Prior to his trade to Boston, the Celtics had a 25-win season in 2013-14 under head coach Brad Stevens. With Thomas and a strong group of young players, the Celtics qualified for the playoffs in 2015.

In conclusion, despite the challenges and declining performance, Isaiah Thomas remains a formidable player and can be considered one of the top 5 point guards in the NBA, particularly when considering his recent performances and contributions to the Boston Celtics.