WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 07: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a call in the second half against the Washington Wizards in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Verizon Center on May 7, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Isaiah Thomas finally found his way back to the TD Garden on Monday night when the Denver Nuggets took on the Boston Celtics. Since being shipped off by Danny Ainge to Cleveland in exchange for Kyrie Irving back in the summer of 2017, Thomas hadn’t played at his old stomping grounds.
Even though it’s now close to two years later, it’s no surprise that Boston fans erupted when Thomas returned. Despite playing only two seasons for the team, he became a fan favorite. The undersized point guard led a scrappy team deep into the playoffs in 2017, bothered by a degenerative hip condition on the court and the recent death of his sister off it.
Thomas also brought a tribute of his own. On his feet were a pair of green and gold sneakers. Though St. Patrick’s Day just occurred, it’s more than safe to say that the shoes were to commemorate his time as a Celtic.
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That time was cut short, though. Thomas revealed that the shoes were made for the NBA Finals during his time in Boston. The Celtics never made it there. They fell short, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals as the No. 1 seed but winning only one game against the Cavs.
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After a messy departure, Thomas claims he isn’t bitter over how things went down. He even said that he’d be willing to come back.
“These were the most fun times in my career,” he said. “I turned into a superstar here. The world knew my name when I played for the Boston Celtics. Not saying they don’t now, but playing for Celtics changed my whole career on and off the floor. This city and this organization treated my family with 100 percent respect. Decisions happen, I never hold any grudges against anybody, even if I’m not for that decision. You never know what can happen. My options are always open no matter what it is. If I end up back here at some point, that would make the story that much better.”
Thomas will be a free agent after this season. With Terry Rozier‘s contract expiring, there’s a chance he could return to Boston.
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