Isaiah Thomas

These have been the longest 11 months of Isaiah Thomas’ young life. Basketball, his life-long best friend, was no longer on speed dial. A complex hip injury that originated in the most inconspicuous way nearly two years ago snatched basketball away and hid it down a long and winding path.

Thomas was forced to navigate that road to find it once again.

Many months later, a journey stuffed full of ups-and-downs and hope and doubt, he has done that. And now, a few days prior to an NBA All-Star game that he’d become a staple in, Thomas is back. He’s found basketball.

“I haven’t played in…going on 11 months, so it’s something that I’m excited about,” Thomas said in a sit-down interview with Altitude Sports. “A little nervous at the same time because I haven’t played in so long. But I’m anxious. I’ve been working so hard for so long just to get back to right now, just to be able to compete and play the game of basketball again, and get that love back.

“The love was never lost, but it’s just hard to go through it when you’re injured. So, I’m excited about the opportunity. I just want to be part of the team and feel a part of the team and do what I can to help us win basketball games.”

Thomas spoke at length about everything ranging from the rehab process, to whether he’d make the same decisions all over again, to being a vocal leader for a Nuggets team that has needed one.

Q: What did you miss most about basketball?

A: Competing. That’s the best thing for me; going out there and competing every day, whether it’s against your teammates or against the opposing team. So, I think that’s the biggest thing that’s been tough for me. I’ve been working out on my own for so long, and that gets boring. So, being able to go out there and compete, talk a little trash and just go out there and have fun, and just be able to go out there and be who I am, I just can’t wait to put on a Denver Nuggets jersey and be able to do that.

Q: Basketball has always been your refuge. Without it, who helped you get through all of this?

A: First and foremost, my family, my close friends, my wife. Those are the people who I lean on through those times. Because, like you said, basketball has always been something that no matter what was going on in life I could come to a basketball gym and forget about it, and lean on that. And I haven’t had that in so long, due to me getting hip surgery and due to me being out and rehabbing and things like that. So, I had to lean strongly on my family. My wife, in particular, has helped me through this whole process. My dad and my mom have as well, and other people in my life who are mentors have helped me as well. So, it’s close and I can’t wait to be able to play again.

A: It was very hard. It takes a lot out of you. Before this injury, and before I got injured in Boston, I’ve never really had a serious injury. So this has been a process that I’ve had to take day-by-day. You have your dark days, and you have your highs and your lows. But, you’ve just somehow got to be even-keeled throughout the whole process. But like I said, I’m human; I have my dark days, I have my bad days where it just feels like nothing was going my way. But once I got closer and closer and was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, that made it that much more worth it. I’m there now. I can see the light, I can see the finish line and me being able to go out there and compete and help this Denver Nuggets team win.

Q: How many days was it difficult, or impossible to see the light at the end of the tunnel?

A: It was a lot. Especially during the first six months; the first five, six months where I just had to rehab every day. It wasn’t basketball-related activities. It was going to the training facility and rehabbing and getting my strength back and doing that every day. And, you know, sometimes with those types of things you get bored with it. Because it’s every day, the same thing over and over. Once I was able to get back into the basketball activities, that made it a little easier. But then you keep going and you keep doing the same thing once you get on the court, and now I’m able to play 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 and 5-on-5, and those have helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, like I said, I’m very excited. I’m taking my time and being a patient as possible with my body and just figuring out what I can and cannot do and what works for me.

Q: Your social media hashtag #SlowGrind, what does that mean to you?

A: It’s everything. It’s life. Life is a slow grind. You’re not just going to get it in one day no matter what it is. So, going through this process, going through the grind, it’s slow. You’re not going to find success tomorrow. It’s repetitive and it’s something that you just keep going on, and I always talk about I’m a marathon runner. This isn’t a 100-meter race, a 100-meter dash. It’s a marathon, and you’re going to have your bumps in the road. But as long as you keep going you’ll finish your race.

Q: Do you think about the day Karl-Anthony Towns fell on you and what that started with this injury?

A: For sure. I think about that all the time, just because I’m human. I played through that. And I kept going, and with the passing of my sister it was difficult for me to just sit at home, and I continued to play in the playoffs. And I obviously hurt it even more. But, everything happens for a reason. If I could do it again, I would probably play again. Just because that’s who I am. Knowing the significance of the injury, of what I knew at that time, I’d do it all over again. I think about it; I watch the injury. At that point in time, it didn’t hurt as bad. It did throughout this process. But, you live and you learn. That’s just my story, and I’m going to keep going and keep being an inspiration for everyone that’s watching.

Q: It had to be difficult to know what to do because this wasn’t an obvious injury, like a broken leg.

A: For sure. But you make those decisions, and you live and learn and just keep going. Every bump in the road that I’ve hit, every wall that people have tried to put up on me and my career, I just put my head down and ran straight through it. So, this is nothing new. I’ve just got to figure out with being injured and going through the surgery, how I’m going to get through this one.

Q: How good do you feel on a basketball court right now?

A: I’m not 100 percent, but I feel really good. I feel better than I did last season, when I was going through it as well. So, I’m still working my rhythm back, getting my strength back, my power back, but at the same time I can do anything I could before. I’m happy with where I’m at right now, and I’m going to continue to be patient with my body and continue to listen to my body. But, at the same time I feel like it’s the right time to be able to do out there and compete.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Nuggets, from watching them?

A: We’re a talented basketball team. We’re very talented. It’s not an ego-driven team; that’s what’s special about this team. Nobody cares about the success. Everybody is playing for each other and not just with each other. And that kind of reminds me of my Boston Celtics team – nobody really cared about who got the success. It was all about winning, it was all about ‘what can I do to help the next man succeed.’ And, I think when you have that mindset, the sky’s the limit. We have guys that are hard workers, and love the game of basketball. When you have those types of guys, everything it easy from there.

A: It’s definitely better than what I thought. I knew we were going to be good, I’m not going to lie about that. I knew this team could be special. But, it was all potential. I think we’ve put together a great season so far. A lot of people didn’t expect this. But, at the same time, from training camp on we expected to be a really good team and be one of the top teams in the NBA. And we’re playing like it. So, we’ve just got to continue that, continue to keep working and keep going.

Q: Even though you’re not playing, you’ve been super vocal. Is that by design?

A: That’s just who I am. No matter what team I’m on, I’m going to be a leader. I’m going to be vocal and I’m going to lead by example as well. But one thing that hit me hard, just coming to a new team that is definitely on the rise, (Nuggets coach) Mike Malone told me ‘I want you to be who you are. I know who you are. I know what type of leader you are, and I don’t want you to hold your tongue.’ So, when I came in, for the head coach to say that it made it even easier. I tell guys all the time, it’s never personal. If you’re trying to win, your feelings are going to be hurt at times. But it’s not personal. It’s always for the betterment of the team. I think guys are understanding that. And guys are understanding me. I haven’t been able to play yet, but I’m vocal. And if I see something I’m going to say something. But like I said, it’s never personal and it’s for the betterment of this team.

Q: You’ve also become known for starting locker room debates. Is keeping things light in the locker room important?

A: It’s very important. If you want to be a good team, you’ve got to be close, no matter what. We spend more time with each other than we do our families. So, guys have to open up. So, I try to have debates all the time and get guys arguing. And even when they are practicing and I’m not, I try to talk trash just to get people out of their comfort zone. That’s always good at times. It’s always fun and games. But when we step on the court in between these lines, it’s business.

Q: How does your game mesh with what the Nuggets do?

A: It’s an equal opportunity system. I’ve been in Mike Malone’s system before, so I know what he expects out of his players. I’m not here to step on anybody’s toes. I’m here to help. I’m here to take that next step with these guys and make it to the playoffs and show them how to win basketball games, and how to get to the playoffs. Individually, I’m here to get myself back to an MVP-type level and be the best I can for myself, but at the same time I’m here to help anybody on this team get to the next level. That starts from the first guy to the last guy. I want to do that, and I want to see everybody succeed.

Q: There’s no doubt you’re getting back to that MVP level?

A: With the opportunity, with the reps and getting my rhythm back, I know I can.

Q: What are the life lessons you’ve learned from this whole ordeal?

A: I think the biggest lesson is: do what’s best for yourself at the end of the day, no matter what, on or off the court. This is a business, as well all know. But at the end of the day you do what’s best for you and your family. And then once you step in between these lines, it’s what’s best for this team. And that’s what I probably learned from the whole situation the last almost two years. Really trying to figure out what’s best for myself, what’s best for my body, and taking advantage of the opportunity at hand.

Q: Not many can understand how emotional all of this was for you.

A: I just had to be strong for my family. A lot of people don’t understand that side. Most people are going to get traded, so you understand that’s the business. But when you have kids involved, and you have a family, a beautiful wife at home and three kids at home, they are getting to an age that they are building friendships with their friends at school and you’ve just got to get up and go. That’s hard for them. So, I’ve just got to be that strong man for my family and understand that this is a business and we’re just going to take it for what it is. At the same time, moving is hard. I’m not going to lie It’s one of the hardest things to just pick up and leave where you’ve been for a while and where you’re comfortable at to go somewhere new. Being in a new city that you’re not familiar with, being around new teammates that you’re not familiar with, and then being in a whole new environment for your family. So, I learned a lot throughout those situations. But I also learned you just take it for what it is, and you take advantage of the opportunity and you go from there. At the end of the day, I’m blessed. I’m blessed to have a healthy family, and I’m blessed to be able to do what I love. I don’t take none of this for granted.

A: It’s always that. That’s just my story, that’s just my career. Even when I was at the top, and in the MVP race, all-NBA, All-Stars, all of that, there was also people in the background saying ‘Oh, he can’t do this, he can’t lead a team to the Finals.’ So, I’ve always got something to prove. But it’s not to prove to other people. It’s to prove to myself. I have an uphill battle that I have to go against, but it’s always been tough. So why is it going to be easy now?

Christopher Dempsey: christopher.dempsey@altitude.tv and @chrisadempsey on Twitter

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Q&A: Isaiah Thomas and His Road Back to Basketball

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Isaiah Thomas at Skyview High School

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Western Union Junior Nuggets Clinic | December 19

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A Precious Child | December 13

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Isaiah Thomas and Jamal Murray at KSE Partner Summit

The Nuggets entered the offseason looking to clarify a few things with their roster and maintain a fiscally-responsible stance in doing so. Remarkably, they accomplished everything they needed to by mid-July and, in the process, have put together their most talented roster, top-to-bottom, since the 2008-09 team that advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

For a team looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2013, that is significant. During the press conference announcing the Nikola Jokic and Will Barton contracts, Nuggets president Josh Kroenke spoke to the mindset of this group of players headed into next season.

“I think these guys have a belief in themselves,” Kroenke said. “And they are starting to believe even more.”

And this accumulation of talent does nothing but buoy that confidence.

Solidified reserve PG: The acquisition of point guard Isaiah Thomas – a player that Nuggets coach Michael Malone had while he was in Sacramento – is, in effect a two-part addition. At his best, he’s a devastating offensive player that can score from anywhere, get his own shot, and run pick-and-roll. And Thomas has a wealth of big-time playoff experience, having led the Boston Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals two years ago. He has to stay healthy. If he can, Thomas can handle the ball on the second unit and scoring to the bench missing with Will Barton’s promotion to the starting lineup.

Made a move consistent with being a team looking squarely at playoffs: Adding another veteran to the team underscored the team’s stated goal for next season: playoffs. Their young core of players has already grown to pushing the team to the brink of the playoffs, missing by a game in each of the last two seasons. Now, with a productive, veteran guard like Thomas, the Nuggets are thinking big and putting the final touches on a roster they hope can get them back into the postseason.

Shown real fiscal responsibility: A concern among Nuggets observers going into the offseason was how the team would financially withstand big contracts to Nikola Jokic and Will Barton without getting deep into luxury tax. But trades of Wilson Chandler, Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur not only pulled them out of a major tax bill, it pulled them out of luxury tax territory altogether. Remember, luxury tax is calculated on the roster as it stands in the final game of the regular season. The Nuggets will be fine when the salary cap numbers are final.

Moved Trey Lyles into a position of power: Part of bolstering the bench was carving out a consistent role for Trey Lyles, who proved on many occasions last season that he could score in almost any way possible, and was an underrated defender. That’s happened now. He’s probably most effective as a ‘stretch 4,’ but he can play some small forward as well. And outside of Isaiah Thomas, Lyles will be counted on to help provide scoring and court spacing for Thomas, who thrives in middle pick-and-roll action.

Allowed Monte Morris to learn without pressure: Most teams need a third point guard, and Morris will fill that role next season. The biggest advantage? Being able to be with the team at all times. He’ll soak in a wealth of knowledge from Jamal Murray and Isaiah Thomas, and will see enough action to continue to improve. Morris was the brightest standout for the Nuggets during summer league, doing everything asked of him in order to earn a chance at being the backup point guard. He’s developed nicely in the last calendar year.

Added to shot creation: This is also in reference to Isaiah Thomas, who will help the Nuggets be more dangerous when things break down. He’s another player, who at the end of a shot clock, can go out and create his own shot. When the Nuggets’ initial actions are defended well, or when switching presents a mismatch the Nuggets can take advantage of, Thomas is another player that can make the defense pay by beating his man in isolation.

Put more big game experience in the locker room: Last season, the addition of Paul Millsap added to the number of Nuggets players with big-game experience. Now, Thomas does more of the same. He’s got 25 playoff games under his belt and has averaged 22.6 points in the playoffs in his career. Coupled with postseason experience is the know-how in getting there. He’ll help push the Nuggets over the top in the biggest games and moments that determine whether the team gets into the playoffs.

"I think it’s really important, because too many people forget how young we are,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told Altitude Sports. “We’re doing it with a core of young players. … If you can add a veteran whose been around, whose been an All-Star and played in those big moments; the guy scored 53 points in a playoff game, for the Boston Celtics. Here is a guy that’s not afraid of the moment.”

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Analysis: The Ripple Effects of a Busy Nuggets Offseason

Seven seasons in the NBA later, Isaiah Thomas’ motivation hasn’t changed. If anything, it burns more hotly than ever.

“Ever since I came to the NBA, all I wanted was the opportunity,” Thomas told Nuggets.com. “I’ll take care of the rest. I’ve always said that to myself.”

“I just wanted to be wanted,” he said. “Being wanted is half the battle. When somebody wants you as bad as you want that opportunity, it sort-of always works out.”

Thomas is feeling a renewed sense of being wanted these days, signing as the newest member of the Denver Nuggets on Monday. In the last calendar year, going from Cleveland to the L.A. Lakers after two-plus wildly successful years in Boston, that feeling had been in short supply.

But the Nuggets, who unequivocally wanted him, began filling Thomas’ cup quickly after free agency began. President of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, first broached the subject of acquiring Thomas to coach Michael Malone – and was swiftly met with a ‘yesss please.’ Then the work began. Malone called Thomas. Nuggets execs spoke to Thomas’ representatives. The feeling was mutual. They met for dinner in Las Vegas during summer league. The foundation of a deal was laid.

“Me having a real close relationship with coach Malone was probably the biggest key,” Thomas said. “And knowing that I wanted to go somewhere where they were going to allow me to be who I am, allow me to play to my strengths and at the same time be around a good group of guys that got the potential to be special.”

Malone and Thomas share as close a bond as any player-coach, who hadn’t been around each other for very long could possibly have. Malone coached Thomas in Sacramento during the 2013-14 season. And, as Thomas notes, “that was one of my biggest years. That was kind of like my breakout year. I averaged 20 points, six assists, and he was a guy that trusted me.”

In Denver, Thomas will be entrusted with filling the scoring guard spot on the second unit for the Nuggets, with Will Barton moving to the starting lineup.

Thomas is the type of player that could ring up 30 points in a game at any time. He’s got playoff games of 53 points, 42 points and three others over 30 points. He led Boston on a magic carpet ride run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017.

And Thomas is steadfast in saying he is healthy and capable of playing at a high level on a nightly basis, that the right hip injury that forced him to miss the first 36 games of last season is behind him.

Asked what he has to prove, Thomas didn’t hesitate.

“First off, show the world I’m healthy,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest thing. What I’ve done in this league is self-explanatory. I don’t have to prove to anybody who I am anymore. I don’t have to prove to anybody what I bring to the table. I think they know. I’m a winner. I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I’m going to bring excitement to the table. I’m going to bring leadership. I’m going to bring somebody that you can count on each and every night; someone that’s very consistent.”

That’s why they reached out to him as soon as news began filtering out that Thomas to Denver was going to be a reality. Barton, Paul Millsap and Malik Beasley all reached out to welcome him to the Nuggets.

“The thing that I wanted was the opportunity to play, the opportunity to show who I am again, show the world what I bring to the table,” Thomas said. “And, at the same time, just being able to have that opportunity. I didn’t care about the money. I didn’t care about none of that. I cared about being able to showcase my skills and be in a good environment. I don’t know too many players on this team, but from the outside, looking in it seems like they love playing with each other and they love being around each other and they had a good atmosphere and I wanted to be a part of that.

“I think it fits my style perfectly. It’s a fast-paced offense, spread the floor; you’ve got one of the best big men in the NBA that can pass and make plays for others. And it’s all about space and opportunity. I’ve played in Mike Malone systems so I know what he wants from his players and I know what he expects. It was just a perfect fit from all angles and I’m just excited to be here and excited to help. That’s what I’m here to do.”

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Isaiah Thomas: Coming to Nuggets 'A Perfect Fit From All Angles'

DENVER, July 16, 2018 – The Denver Nuggets have signed guard Isaiah Thomas to a one-year contract, President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly announced today.

Thomas, 29, was selected out of the University of Washington with the 60th overall pick of the 2011 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. The seven-year veteran has gone on to become a two-time NBA All-Star, was named to the 2016-17 All-NBA Second Team and has won the NBA’s Player of the Month Award three times and Player of the Week Award five times. He has averaged over 20.0 points in three seasons, including a career-high 28.9 points per game in 2016-17 with Boston.

“It’s not every day you have the chance to add a player with the talent and pedigree of Isaiah Thomas,” said Connelly. “Isaiah is a player that we know will work extremely hard every single day he steps onto the basketball court and will do anything he can to help our team win. We are excited to add Isaiah to our already explosive core and we can’t wait to get started.”

The Tacoma, Washington native has appeared in 473 games (324 starts) and posted career averages of 18.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 29.8 minutes per game. He has shot .389 from beyond the arc and .877 from the free throw line throughout his seven NBA seasons. Thomas played under Denver Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone in Sacramento during the 2013-14 season where he put up then career-high averages of 20.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.30 steals per game.

In 2014-15, Thomas joined the Boston Celtics where he helped lead them back to the playoffs following a 25-57 campaign the previous season. He was named to his first All-Star team in 2015-16, appearing in all 82 games and averaging 22.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.11 steals per game. He followed that campaign up by ranking third in the NBA in scoring (28.9 ppg) and second in free throw percentage (.909) in 2016-17 while being named an All-Star for the second consecutive season.

Thomas has appeared in 25 career playoff games, averaging 22.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. The Celtics made the postseason in each of his three seasons there, highlighted by a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016-17 and a career-high 53 points vs. Washington in the second round that same year.

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Denver Nuggets Sign Veteran Guard Isaiah Thomas

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