8. Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Counting Stats: 22.2 points, 6.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds
PER: 21.54
WS: 9.7
VORP: 3.3
Ever since he was drafted 60th overall in the 2011 NBA draft, Isaiah Thomas was told he could never make it. Whether it was the inability to create his own shot by virtue of his diminutive 5-foot-9 stature or not surviving the grind at one of the games most grueling positions, Thomas has deflected all of his critics and has asserted himself as not just an impact player but a franchise piece on a contending Boston Celtics squad.
Thomas sustained career-highs in points (22.2 per game) and in field goals made (7.2) last season, which resulted in his first All-Star game selection. It hasn’t yet been a full two seasons, but his tenure as a Celtic has transformed himself into head coach Brad Stevens’ highest used player, as 29.6 percent of Boston’s offensive plays came with Thomas on the floor.
Moving forward, Thomas will finally have the luxury of playing beside a top-tier post player in Al Horford. During his time with Atlanta, the Hawks’ point guards excelled amid dribble penetration, finishing in the 69th percentile of plays that came off screens. Horford’s size will benefit Thomas and the Celtics who ranked as the second-worst isolation scoring team in the NBA last season.
Next: No. 7