Now that the Celtics aren’t just a fringe playoff team in the East, and have a pretty good shot to secure the 3rd spot in the Eastern Conference during the final games of the regular season, the world’s eyes have been opened up to small guy Isaiah Thomas‘ greatness.
As SB Nation points out, he’s having the best season of an under-6’ player ever, and he’s positioned the Celtics in an enviable position, despite not having a marquee superstar player running the wing with him. New Orleans Pelicans guard Tim Frazier felt the full weight of Thomas’ ascent last night, and it didn’t take much. In the above Instagram clip, you can see Thomas dribble out the clock at the top of the key, then quickly dribble left, step back, and dish off a pass to a patiently waiting Evan Turner, who subsequently sank the long-range shot.
Frazier was defending Thomas on that play, and after Thomas’ step back move, Frazier crumpled to the ground and immediately clutched his ankle. He had to be taken out of the game, and sat on the bench the rest of the way. Victim.
It’s been reported that Frazier will likely be available for the Pelicans next game against the Lakers on Friday. Hopefully for ol’ Timmy, LA’s rookie point guard D’Angelo Russell hasn’t quite mastered the step back the way Isaiah has.
