You wanted fireworks? You got em.

And honestly, I’m not sure how to feel. On the one hand, the Celtics just got a top 5 point guard in the league at age 25 with 2 years left on a pretty reasonable deal. On the other hand, the Celtics just got rid of the heart and soul of the team for the past 3 years.

Last season, Isaiah Thomas’s averages were as follows: 28.9 PPG, 2.7 REBS, 5.9 ASTS on 46.3% shooting (37.9% from 3). For comparison, Kyrie Irving had: 25.2 PPG, 3.2 REBS, 5.8 ASTS on 47.3% shooting (40.1% from 3). Obviously, the production of these two superstars last year were comparable. The biggest difference between Irving and Thomas is their heights and their age. Thomas is 28 years old coming off hip surgery and Irving is 25 years old with a checkered history of knee issues. Assess that information how you will.

As for me, personally, not a fan of the trade. As much as it excites me that the Celtics just added one of the best point guards in the league, I think Ainge gave up WAY too much to their #1 rival in the conference. Giving Lebron James Isaiah Thomas, a solid 2 way forward in Jae Crowder, a question mark in Ante Zizic AND the 2018 Brooklyn Nets pick (which will probably be in the top 5) I don’t think necessarily bodes well for the future of the Celtics. Although, this point would be moot if both Lebron and Thomas leave after this season, but for the sake of argument just go with it.

And admittedly, I’m higher on Isaiah Thomas than most. House Nazzaro knows no King but the King in the Fourth whose name is Thomas. I think he’s a special talent and the type of journey he’s had throughout his NBA career only adds to his aura. Watching him drop 53 points on John Wall in a playoff game a few days following his sister’s death is one of the more memorable performances we’ve seen in Boston sports history. Add in the fact he was the last pick in the 2012 draft (Kyrie was 1st) and he’s only 5’9 in a league of giants, well, Disney couldn’t come up with a better story than that.

Isaiah Thomas embraced the city of Boston, and the city of Boston embraced him right back. And who’s to say that Kyrie Irving won’t do the same thing? I hope he does. But I hope he knows that he has some very big shoes to fill, courtesy of the Little Guy. Goodnight sweet prince, please don’t knock us out of the playoffs this year. And  as always, go Celtics.