Growing up 45 minutes from Boston, it was impossible not to support the teams in the city. It makes you feel like you are a part of something. Witnessing the wins and losses, retirements, trades, at times it can be bittersweet. Seeing some of my favorite players move on to another team or retirement is a very sad moment, but the memories of that player in the city I love are irreplaceable. Especially a player like Isaiah Thomas, who had an impact on Boston, as well as Boston impacting him.
After three seasons with the Boston Celtics, and two All-Star game selections, the 28 year old point guard Isaiah Thomas was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, along with other players in exchange for Kyrie Irving and a draft pick. This trade is good for the Celtics, but Isaiah was a strong player and a fan favorite in Boston. Seeing someone have such a great impact in just one season with Boston, it was hard to say farewell. Not just a goodbye from the fans, but from Isaiah. He wrote an article called “This is for Boston,” on September 6th, soon after finding out he would be traded. This was just the beginning for his long career, already being a huge threat in the NBA, but not forgetting where it all started.
In Isaiah’s article on theplayerstrubune.com, he covers the main events with his career in Boston, to the moment he got a call from the Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, about how he would be moved to Cleveland. Isaiah was on vacation with his family celebrating when he got a text from Danny Ainge saying, “I.T, call me when you can.” (Thomas, 2017). Everyone in Boston refers to Isaiah as I.T. This was a common text from Danny Ainge to Isaiah, and not so dramatic. This time it was dramatic and Isaiah described his conversation,
“He told me. ‘I just traded you.’ Simple as that. No big words, no big speech. Though I guess when it comes to shit like that, there’s not much more to say. ‘To where.’ That’s all I could manage. ‘To the Cavaliers, for Kyrie.’ Danny started going on about everything I’ve done for the city of Boston, and for the Celtics organization, both on and off the court. About what a great player I am, and how I’m going to be great in Cleveland.” (Thomas, 2017).Not a very complex conversation that seemed to have ended quickly, and when you hear something like that there isn’t much to say. A city where Isaiah put his blood, sweat, and tears in just traded him, but I.T has good sportsmanship and didn’t hold a grudge.
(Photos by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Isaiah Thomas-
The Next Chapter
By: Jeremiah Latham
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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