IT's season is over

[RedOctober3829]

BOSTON (May 20, 2017) – The Boston Celtics today announced that Isaiah Thomas will miss the remainder of this year’s postseason following re-aggravation of a right femoral-acetabular impingement with labral tear during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Cleveland. Thomas initially injured the hip during the third quarter of the Celtics’ March 15 game against Minnesota, forcing him to miss the next two regular season contests. The injury was further aggravated during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Washington on May 12.

“Isaiah has worked tirelessly to manage this injury since it first occurred,” said Celtics Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian McKeon. “The swelling increased during the first two games against Cleveland, and in order to avoid more significant long-term damage to his hip, we could no longer allow him to continue.”

Thomas did not travel with the team to Cleveland and is currently evaluating treatment options. A further update will be provided as soon as one is available.

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press-052017-isaiah-thomas-ruled-out-for-game-3

 

[BigSoxFan]

Well, shit. Get healthy, Isaiah.

 

[mikeot]

Thanks for an incredible season, Eyezayer.

 

[the1andonly3003]

rough

let's hope it's a quick recovery and Celts can come back stronger next season. it'll be tough if this ends up long term. hips are tricky.

I saw a joke on Twitter last night that the Celts were the first team to tank AFTER winning the lottery...

 

[AimingForYoko]

I thought he hurt a foot/leg in the Bullets series but that makes sense too. He was clearly dealing with something down there that was impacting his speed and footwork. I only hope that this doesn't have a long term impact on him.

Get better, IT!

 

[CreedBratton]

He's the man but after everything he's been through this postseason he needs some rest. Also, He prob saw what happened last night and said fuck it I'm out

 

[genoasalami]

Celts coming back and winning this series would have to be the biggest surprise/upset in playoff history? What are odds 100-1? 500-1?

 

[Reardon's Beard]

Hell of a player. Get well soon.

Curious to see how this teams play at this level without him. Should be a good test.

 

[sezwho]

Hell of a player. Get well soon.

Curious to see how this teams play at this level without him. Should be a good test.

I think we've seen how this team plays without a high functioning IT against Bronny and Bronettes already, I'm not sure I want to see what happens when he is gone completely from the rotation.

That said, be well and get some rest Isaiah, you've damn sure earned it!!!

 

[ifmanis5]

Thank you, IT. Get well, Little Guy.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

All I know is that he gave us one of the more incredible seasons from a Boston Celtic in recent memory. And this explains his struggles at various times during the playoffs, including yesterday, when he was ineffective.

Finally, I know that there are more than a few folks here who think the C's should explore trading him and I understand their reasons. However, I want them to extend him, knowing that the latter years of any contract are a risk. Its one I would take as I think the guy's work ethic and leadership will help this team when it hopefully evolves into a true contender in a few years time.

 

[Koufax]

Celts coming back and winning this series would have to be the biggest surprise/upset in playoff history? What are odds 100-1? 500-1?

What are the odds of the Cavs bus blowing up on the way to a game? I don't see any other way it could happen.

 

[Koufax]

Adding to the chorus, it was a great season that he gave us. Thanks for the memories, little guy, and come back strong.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

I think we've seen how this team plays without a high functioning IT against Bronny and Bronettes already, I'm not sure I want to see what happens when he is gone completely from the rotation.

That said, be well and get some rest Isaiah, you've damn sure earned it!!!

Sure but team has gone through a lot since then. Mostly I hope this next challenge can help us figure out the best way forward and give the next generation some run on the big stage. Not sure anyone expects victories but I do expect the young guys to get stronger from the experience.

 

[bankshot1]

IT was fun to watch and fun to root for.

But one has to wonder if he played his last game as a Celt.

In either case, get well soon.

 

[RedOctober3829]

IT was fun to watch and fun to root for.

But one has to wonder if he played his last game as a Celt.

In either case, get well soon.

He's not getting traded with this hip condition. Surgery is likely and recovery could last into the season.

 

[sezwho]

Sure but team has gone through a lot since then. Mostly I hope this next challenge can help us figure out the best way forward and give the next generation some run on the big stage. Not sure anyone expects victories but I do expect the young guys to get stronger from the experience.

I hear you, and now that I think about it, its largely the reason I didn't turn off the TV after the middle of the second quarter in both games.

We were treated to what I hope is a nice preview of playoff Jaylen performances to come for example, and its possible IT's injury may create the opportunity for him to get a playoff start.

 

[bankshot1]

I'm not a surgeon and don't know the down time, or whether surgery is needed, but the larger point remains whether the Celts will commit a 5/150 type contract to the guy, who is on the books next year for around $7M, and who's assets and liabilites are pretty obvious..

 

[luckiestman]

I'm not a surgeon and don't know the down time, or whether surgery is needed, but the larger point remains whether the Celts will commit a 5/150 type contract to the guy, who is on the books next year for around $7M, and who's assets and liabilites are pretty obvious..

I'm not an NBA cap expert, but I think it is possible that his # might not really matter in terms of roster flexibility as much as it seems since we can go over the cap to retain a player. If we sign Hayward and have Horford on the books I don't think we could fit a max salary for a FA, but keeping IT would be in play. Just takes Wyc going over the cap.

 

[bankshot1]

Not to hi-jack the get well aspect, but the bigger question is if Fultz is believed to be the PG of the future and understanding IT's through no fault of his own defensive short-comings, whether the Celts can afford a $30M year PG on the bench, while maybe adding a Hayward and maybe a another front line rebounding machine.I don't know the cap aspect or if IT would easily adapt to a bench player as he gets older and Fultz emerges.

 

[Ale Xander]

Get better Eyezayer

But now our defense improves

Maybe just the change we need

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

He's not getting traded with this hip condition. Surgery is likely and recovery could last into the season.

Sounds like this makes Danny's decision easier. He can let IT play out his contract (which is why IT wanted to gut things out) and then reevaluate next year.

I feel bad for IT but this could really impact his next contract.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

dp

 

[Devizier]

Celts coming back and winning this series would have to be the biggest surprise/upset in playoff history? What are odds 100-1? 500-1?

Typically betting markets close out bets early when the odds get this long.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Celts coming back and winning this series would have to be the biggest surprise/upset in playoff history? What are odds 100-1? 500-1?

It's 28 to 7 and it is halftime.

 

[NoXInNixon]

What are the odds of the Cavs bus blowing up on the way to a game? I don't see any other way it could happen.

So you're saying there's a chance!

 

[Fishy1]

What a bummer. Explains his lack of explosiveness over the last couple of games.Have to add to the chorus and say what an incredible season, and what an incredibble playoff performance given the injury and circumstances.

 

[DJnVa]

What are the odds of the Cavs bus blowing up on the way to a game? I don't see any other way it could happen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borussia_Dortmund_team_bus_bombing

 

[Rook05]

I currently have this injury. It sucks. Surgery seems to be a mixed bag for the common man but more reasonable for athletes. IT will be back, but as Red said, probably not until Xmas. Get well, IT4.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Sounds like this makes Danny's decision easier. He can let IT play out his contract (which is why IT wanted to gut things out) and then reevaluate next year.

I feel bad for IT but this could really impact his next contract.

That's what I'd think too.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Not to hi-jack the get well aspect, but the bigger question is if Fultz is believed to be the PG of the future and understanding IT's through no fault of his own defensive short-comings, whether the Celts can afford a $30M year PG on the bench, while maybe adding a Hayward and maybe a another front line rebounding machine.I don't know the cap aspect or if IT would easily adapt to a bench player as he gets older and Fultz emerges.

Fultz is 6'4" and can play with the ball or off the ball (which IT can also do). If he's the real deal he is probably as good a fit with IT as anyone.

 

[JCizzle]

One of the most fun seasons from any player that I can remember. Truly incredible to watch. Get well soon IT

 

[bankshot1]

Fultz is 6'4" and can play with the ball or off the ball (which IT can also do). If he's the real deal he is probably as good a fit with IT as anyone.

They might make an ideal backcourt, for 1 year or 5, but that's a very expensive puzzle for Ainge to ponder. I year for $7m or 6 more years at $160M+. I don't think the answer is easily arrived at..

 

[nighthob]

Fultz is 6'4" and can play with the ball or off the ball (which IT can also do). If he's the real deal he is probably as good a fit with IT as anyone.

I do think, though, that this ends any internal debates they may have been having about trading the pick. The problem with little guys is that they rarely last past age 30 or so, even when healthy, just due to declining quickness.

If that hip injury loses Lil' Zeke a half step, then giving him his max deal might be more than some of the management could bear. Next trade deadline just got a lot more interesting.

 

[djbayko]

Celts coming back and winning this series would have to be the biggest surprise/upset in playoff history? What are odds 100-1? 500-1?

The only sportsbook I see carrying this right now is 5Dimes, and they are offering 70 to 1 for Celts to win the series. Of course, those are implied odds. True odds are much worse than that, and I'm sure 5Dimes would be thrilled to have a lot of bets placed on that line.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

 

[radsoxfan]

Bummer to hear about IT, not that it was looking like this would be a close series anyway, but still was hoping to get an interesting game or two with the full team.

Medically, at face value and with zero other information, I will say declaring him out for the remainder of the playoffs with FAI and a labral tear is a little strange. That's not to say the injury isn't painful, potentially debilitating, or something that will require surgery in a high level athlete. But the vast majority of the time this is a waxing and waning acute on chronic type of injury. He basically has some changes in the shape of his hip joint (femoral head/neck and acetabulum) predisposing to arthritis. You get labral tearing and cartilage damage and bone contusions that flare up and can be very painful. But it's hard to predict how long the pain will last and it also doesn't often require immediate surgery. I'm not sure how they know 2-3 weeks from now he won't be able to play (maybe there is something more severe with the diagnosis than they disclosed, I don't know).

Again, I don't doubt IT is in a lot of pain, can't play game 3, might be unable to play the rest of the series etc. But I do wonder if the series was more competitive (or IT was playing better), the prognosis might be more day-to-day than declaring him out for the rest of the playoffs. In theory there are many weeks left in the season, though obviously in actuality there are probably only 3 days left.

As far as his future, I would certainly be wary or a long term 200M deal for the little guy. If his cartilage damage is so bad that he really can't play and probably needs surgery, hard to imagine that arthritis not progressing to some degree over the next few years. And obviously if he loses a step of quickness he becomes a very different player.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

So you're saying there's a chance!

I'd say more of a chance than any of the Cavs players taking a bus to work in Cleveland.

 

[lovegtm]

As far as his future, I would certainly be wary or a long term 200M deal for the little guy. If his cartilage damage is so bad that he really can't play and probably needs surgery, hard to imagine that arthritis not progressing to some degree over the next few years. And obviously if he loses a step of quickness he becomes a very different player.

I would put the odds of Danny signing him to a 200M deal somewhere close to 0. The interesting question is whether the injury allows IT to take a smaller/shorter extension while still saving face.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I'm not a surgeon and don't know the down time, or whether surgery is needed, but the larger point remains whether the Celts will commit a 5/150 type contract to the guy, who is on the books next year for around $7M, and who's assets and liabilites are pretty obvious..

I don't think this type of contract was ever an option for Ainge to offer Isaiah. Now that we have the ability to draft Fultz and his rookie contract it's more likely than ever that Isaiah ends up signing his next contract elsewhere.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

It's 28 to 7 and it is halftime.

The Pats had Brady......the Celtics have Amir, Jae, and Gerald.

 

[scottyno]

Assuming the Cs are up against the cap heading into next year what does it matter how much they're paying Isaiah for his next deal? I guess it might matter to Wyc, but from Danny's perspective with Horford+ big player X short term, and hopefully having to pay a lot to extend Brown, and the 2 nets picks down the line, the Cs aren't going to have cap space for a long time anyway. It's not like they can spend the money they'd give IT on anyone else instead.

 

[luckiestman]

Assuming the Cs are up against the cap heading into next year what does it matter how much they're paying Isaiah for his next deal? I guess it might matter to Wyc, but from Danny's perspective with Horford+ big player X short term, and hopefully having to pay a lot to extend Brown, and the 2 nets picks down the line, the Cs aren't going to have cap space for a long time anyway. It's not like they can spend the money they'd give IT on anyone else instead.

I asked the same question. I suppose if they don't sign a big FA this year it could be an issue next year.

 

[lovegtm]

Assuming the Cs are up against the cap heading into next year what does it matter how much they're paying Isaiah for his next deal? I guess it might matter to Wyc, but from Danny's perspective with Horford+ big player X short term, and hopefully having to pay a lot to extend Brown, and the 2 nets picks down the line, the Cs aren't going to have cap space for a long time anyway. It's not like they can spend the money they'd give IT on anyone else instead.

The luxury tax in the NBA is quite punitive, to the point that it matters even to very wealthy people. In addition, a lot of that wealth is often illiquid: Wyc's stake in the Celtics, and that subsequent appreciation, is a large part of his net worth, but he can't cash it out easily.

The Cavs paid $50M+ in tax last year IIRC. I'm sure Gilbert doesn't mind that at all, but the Cavs are a good example of the kind of team you want to pay that type of bill for.

Celtics will have a lot of young guys hitting their 2nd contracts in the next few years, and so need maximum flexibility payroll-wise, even without the ability to sign free agents. Signing Marcus Smart to a $10M/year deal (for example) is a lot more palatable when that $10M is only costing you $10M, and not $30M+ with tax.

 

[mauf]

Assuming the Cs are up against the cap heading into next year what does it matter how much they're paying Isaiah for his next deal? I guess it might matter to Wyc, but from Danny's perspective with Horford+ big player X short term, and hopefully having to pay a lot to extend Brown, and the 2 nets picks down the line, the Cs aren't going to have cap space for a long time anyway. It's not like they can spend the money they'd give IT on anyone else instead.

As others have pointed out, it's a luxury tax issue.

My guess is that Danny will match whatever another team could offer IT, but won't give him the 5th year, because that's going to hit when IT is over the hill, and when Brown and Fultz are expensive. So if IT wants to stay here, Danny won't push him away, but if IT would prefer to go elsewhere, I don't think he'll have to take a big pay cut to do so.

 

[luckiestman]

The luxury tax in the NBA is quite punitive, to the point that it matters even to very wealthy people. In addition, a lot of that wealth is often illiquid: Wyc's stake in the Celtics, and that subsequent appreciation, is a large part of his net worth, but he can't cash it out easily.

The Cavs paid $50M+ in tax last year IIRC. I'm sure Gilbert doesn't mind that at all, but the Cavs are a good example of the kind of team you want to pay that type of bill for.

Celtics will have a lot of young guys hitting their 2nd contracts in the next few years, and so need maximum flexibility payroll-wise, even without the ability to sign free agents. Signing Marcus Smart to a $10M/year deal (for example) is a lot more palatable when that $10M is only costing you $10M, and not $30M+ with tax.

Isn't the tax at a substantially higher number than the cap?

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Isn't the tax at a substantially higher number than the cap?

Yes, about $20m. But that wouldn't be all hat substantial if you hand IT $30M and then have to consider resigning guys coming up.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Get better Eyezayer

But now our defense improves

Maybe just the change we need

Love the optimism.

But no, it was never going to happen in this series and that's even more true without IT. Let's hope next year's team is able to compete with this kind of Cavs team.

 

[Ale Xander]

Love the optimism.

But no, it was never going to happen in this series and that's even more true without IT. Let's hope next year's team is able to compete with this kind of Cavs team.

I demand an apology

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

The Pats had Brady......the Celtics have Amir, Jae, and Gerald.

Ewing theory?