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NBA: Five Bold Predictions for the 2016-17 NBA Season

By Zach Blochlinger

May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball around Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dribbles the ball around Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter in game five of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Isaiah Thomas Top 5 in Assists and Points

Isaiah Thomas will finish the 2016-17 regular season in the top five in the NBA in points per game and assists per game. He finished last season 11th in scoring (22.2 PPG) and 14th in assists (6.2 APG).

Why do I see his stats spiking?

First of all, in the scoring department, two of the top five scorers from last season (Durant and Curry) now play on the same team which should lower their overall numbers quite a bit. Klay Thompson, who finished 12th in the NBA in scoring last season, will also be in the same starting lineup and will see his points per game total level off as well.

This makes room for guys like Thomas to make a jump into the elite scorers conversation. Last season, Thomas had a career-high in points per game and tied his career-high in assists per game as well.

This offseason, the Celtics inked ex-Atlanta big man Al Horford to a multi-year deal. This move should be what makes Isaiah Thomas so lethal on the offensive end. The combination that the two provide in the pick-and-roll offense that Boston head coach Brad Stephens loves should be unstoppable.

Apr 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for a loose ball in the third quarter of game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 89-72. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) and Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford (15) fight for a loose ball in the third quarter of game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 89-72. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Horford sets great screens and is very effective at reading the defense to get himself the best opportunity to score or get a rebound. Thomas is a very good passer and with his miniature size, he can use it as an advantage as he moves around the court in ways that most others cannot. Especially in the pick-and-roll.

Signing Horford is a big step in the right direction towards the Celtics getting back to the NBA Finals, and I see the move helping push Isaiah Thomas to blossom into one of the best point guards in the NBA next season.

Thomas seems pretty pumped to play with Horford:

Be prepared for big things to come from Thomas and the Celtics in 2017.

Next: DeMarcus Cousins Gets Scoring Crown

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