As a AI fan and a Celtics fan, I see the similarities in their games. But at least for me, I can't put them in the same class until/if IT4 can be the solo star and make it to the NBA finals. To me, that's what will always set them apart, is the ability to carry a team to the finals.
AI had Eric snow Dikembe mutumbo, Aaron Mckey, Todd Mcculloch an old Toni Kukoc. A old vernon maxwell . I mean this guy literally carried the Sixers on his back. Isaiah is no joke but he's got a little better team.
Jessica Sims you're going to tell me Isaiah has/had a better team? The sixers record in 2000-01 was 56-26. Before Isaiah came to the Celtics their Record was 42-40 in the 2014-15 season. His first season as a Celtic their record was 48-34. He was an automatic star making him an all-star his first year. With their team full of injuries.
Tell me. How good would the Celtics be doing right now? With Smart as their starting pg? How would that go? And no they would not win "maybe 20 games all season" if they have the same amount of usage. "I believe that the sixers of that time and the Celtics of this time are very similar teams"
Yeah I kinda agree with your argument. Really I think the teams were built pretty similarly. The only difference is I think the Sixers had worse overall shooting than the Celtics although there wasn't as much infensis on shooting the 3 ball or doing it well back then, oh and Mutumbo as the Celtics don't really have a true center even though Mutumbo was only there for what, one season?
Ronold Cledor here's the thing, you can compare anybody but you can't compare. Iverson took the worst team to the finals, while he was injured, as an underdog. He played in a tougher era, amongst names such as Shaq, Jordan, Kobe, Kidd, the James/Anthony /Wade (early) era. Name two guys you'd take off of Iverson's team, over the Celtics. Iverson paved the way but numbers don't do him justice.
Damian Lillard, Isaiah Thomas & Russell Westbrook are 3 players that most remind me of my all-time favourite A.I. to me. All 3 have bits and parts that make me see A.I. in them. And also Dame's rap game like A.I. was back in a day, Russell with a fashion statement like A.I. back in a day and all 3 carry a franchise like A.I. did in Philly.
Yeah I agree with You completely, bro! A.I. to me is also GOAT, he never was no Uncle Tom like MJ, Kobe and LBJ are, he never sold out, he always was himself, real to himself and to black people in the hood. I know he will never be viewed as GOAT over MJ, Kobe and LBJ, but in his prime he was better than Kobe (realisticly viewing) in 2000 - 2006. But P4P he is G.O.A.T., no argument to be made on anybody else over A.I. ... those 3 are players that keep my idol's spirit alive in the game, that's all ... I know they will never be like that like A.I. was, he had most heart out of anybody EVER ... in all sports. He was/is/always will be most influential basketball player to ever live (over MJ any day!) and for me, he's my biggest inspiration and motivation, he's my idol 'til death! I can only put Kevin Garnett and Ray Lewis in the same sentence with A.I. when it comes to giving their all on the court, playing with their heart 1st, talent 2nd ... man, I wish KG and A.I. could've been on the same team from 2000 - 2008, they would've been unreal together.
Yeah, he was black-balled out of the league pretty much, he was "good" until he was traded to Detroit from Nuggets during the early part of 2008-09 season after 3 games (according to Wiki). He averaged like You said 26.4 points, 7 assists and played all 82 games, and played 42 minutes per game and shot hi highest FG% in his career in 2007-08, but he wasn't in no All-NBA teams (there is 3 as You know, so 15 places and during that time CP3 and Kobe were in the 1st team All-NBA I think, but AI should've made it into the 2nd team All-NBA for sure, or 3rd at least). And he didn't even made Olympics 2008 team also after that season. Tim Donaghy said after his game fixing came public in documentary or to "60 minutes" that he knew A.I. & Sixers would lose, if certain referees would officiate Sixers games ... it's pretty obvious, Stern hated him from the start (1996), he did everything (like dress code, cancelling his rap album's release if he doesn't change lyrics, and changed ball-carrying rules also so to try to make A.I.'s best move less lethal ... didn't happen only LOL and also allowing the zone-defense because of A.I.'s dominance with man-to-man defense or 1vs 1, which was A.I.'s bread and butter). I hate that old skuns 'til death for what he did to A.I.
He was actually good in Detroit also, but rookie head coach insisted that A.I. and Rip can't start together and then Rodney Stuckey was inserted into the starting line-up, even though Rip and A.I. starting their record was better ... then he was the "cancer of the team" ... same thing was in Memphis, A.I. felt he put up better numbers than O.J. Mayo and outplayed him in the pre-season and in the training camp, but coach preferred O.J. Mayo instead in those 3 games A.I. played for Memphis ... and then after like 2 months off he came back to Sixers for 25 games, and he wasn't in great shape and had personal problems also during that time ... he's best game was vs Kobe, that was like 2001 NBA Finals, Kobe vs A.I. ... classic ... but yes media and the league portrayed him like a cancer and some gangster with his "posse" (like Phil Jackson likes to call LeBron's crew now also LOL) and he was black-balled out of the league ... no other way to look at it. It's a sad ending to HoF career, at least he got to end it in his team, that he would've died for, blue collar city, Philly ... I'm happy for that. And also that he got into the HoF in the 1st ballot, that also surprised me a little ... I thought they will fuck him over again, because media persons vote also for that I think ... but he got in at 1st try, like he should've been. Now during the summer, he's gonna play in Ice Cube's BIG 3 vs 3 league, I think ... hope he has something left in the tank. ... and they blamed him for USA's 2004 Olympics bronze medal also, but he was the best player in that tournament for USA's team and they changed the squad from 2003 FIBA American Championship winning team for that 2004 Olympics team very much, 3 rookies with 1 year pro experience (LeBron, D-Wade and Melo), one college graduate (2004 NBA Draft 2nd pick after Dwight Howard and Okafor won 2004-05 ROY also, not Howard, which is funny) Emeka Okafor and Richard Jefferson from 2001 Draft, Amar'e & Carlos Boozer from 2002 Draft, so it wasn't very great team and several big name players from that 2003 FIBA gold medal team dropped out for some reason and it was Iverson, Marbury, Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion and Tim Duncan pretty much in 2004 Olympics.
In that 2003 FIBA Americas Championship team were Jason Kidd, T-Mac, Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal, Mike Bibby, Kenyon Martin, Ray Allen, Elton Brand ... and Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan also from big name players ... so 8 very good/great players didn't play in 2004 Olympics, where Argentina won gold medal and beat USA in the semis also ... the same Argentina, that USA beat by 33 points in the final of 2003 FIBA Americas LOL
I came into this video thinking, "what the hell is he talking about even putting these two in the same sentence..." but after going through the entire video, you clearly raise a compelling argument with facts to back it. good work.
I'm a celtics fan and I know he's a really under rated player and I tell all my friends that he really good but they always say he sucks and I have to show the that Isaiah is averaging 29 points a game(second best in the nba) and I really like to see at least some people giving him some love. Great video man.
Fantastic video, I hope you do more of these. I'm really disappointed he didn't make the all-star this year. I don't understand how Irving got in ahead of him. Basketball has let him down.
Yeah kinda sucks that the All-Star game is just a massive popularity contest. Makes sense tho, it's just for entertainment so it's better that people see the players they vote for I guess. I still think that IT and DeRozan would have made a nasty backcourt combo.
This video is great. And the funny part is that his PPG has increased by at least 2 PPG since the posting of this. He's certainly playing at another level this year, for sure. Edit: At the rate he's going, he could pass Westbrook for the scoring title, although as a Celtics fan, I still believe Westbrook does more for his team this year with Durant gone.
it's a faster game now, compared to when Iverson played. Iverson can't be compared to anyone, but Isaiah Thomas is a legend in the making. enough said 🙏🙏 salute to the young god👊
The fact that amazes me is that the Suns had Thomas and Dragic (+Bledsoe) on the same team. Thomas and Dragic are now the faces of their new teams. I know that they were all 3 pg's and there was not enough room for everyone...but I still think that the Suns front office might be one of the worst in the league because they did't get much in return for those players or even to get them on the team in the first place.
Isaiah Thomas, is as good as he is "now" from simply working as hard, and developing his game, his shot, and his body to spectacular levels. But its taken him a little bit longer to develop, as he was figuring out his role on each team he played on. Now he's simply blossoming and he can "go all out" like he said, on any given night he has to.
Actually after MJ and AI retirement i quit to watch NBA since then, but one time this small guy caught my attention i think back in 2013 on TV, he's good and kinda reminded me of AI but less handles yet effective and good scoring machine. FYI he's not that short, there's these Muggsy Bogues and Spudd Webb that much shorter than him and they're like 5'6 PGs but boy he's something, hope he and Kyrie become a legend one day, they're one of my top picks for this new generation of basketball.
P.S. AI played against with tons of amazing players i mean LEGENDS asf like MJ, TMAC, KOBE, SHAQ etc... you name it 90's bloody basketball era. On the other hand IT's generation is different, NBA nowadays is too soft and full of crybabies. But nontheless, hats off to IT! I even bought couple of his jerseys just to pay some support.
+TH13beast The ANSWER to your question at 1:14 ....why he's not....is 1/ Celtics wining record the year before. Weighted how deep they went int playoffs 2/ Number of personal awards i.e. Scoring titles, MVPs 3/ Breakout year, the year before i.e. was running for personal award 4/ Flagged as Future superstar, based on last year's performance. Note } This gets you like 1-2 games and generally close to the All-star weekend, to push votes as the league sees them as future stars of the league i.e. Greek Freak All of these impact how many Celtics games that are NOT against teams that meet the above criteria are are shown on the major cable channels i.e. ESPN, TNT vs just shown on local cable i.e. CSN. As you can see from their schedule, unless they are playing Cavs, Warriors, Knicks etc .....their games are all on CSNHD www.nba.com/celtics/schedule *NOTE* | the schedule is sold a year in advance. So if Isiah continues putting up monster numbers this year, next year,....Celtics will get more ESPN and TNT games. *NOTE_2* | This is why OKC got far fewer games on ESPN an TNT this year than they did years past; as when the cable networks bid on the schedule, they had no idea that Westbrook will have a huge year The above is exactly why clubs pay so much for a superstar, as it increases the number $ ESPN and TNT are willing to pay for that clubs games. Because more people will tune in to the game, more eyeballs means more $ per advertising slot slot during the game.
isaiah is amazing and I always thought that and he can compare to ai but Celtics now team are a little better than the Sixers at the time thats the only difference beside handles and who's better (Iverson).And I'm like the biggest ai fan there is believe me. great vid btw subbed
What i have noticed about IT is that when he does the things that Iverson does but he goes through more contact. I don't know if thats just me noticing that.
I don't really remember Iverson being a good defender? I would say he was ok but nothing great. He was really good at getting steals though. I'd actually say Isaiah a better individual defender than AI was but IT can only do so much at his even shorter height.
Niko Cross Not even close. Stealing ball it's part of defense,especially if you're short and you couldn't block shots on taller guys every night. Iverson is 6ft with shoes on, he's 5'10".
He can play on a similar level and it is extremely impressive for a 5'9 guy to be top 5 in scoring. But one thing that AI has done is that he changed a generation, he influenced a whole generation with his whole hip hop culture movement
if Isaiah gotten the chance to shine from the very beginning and wasn't over looked I think he would be great but at the same time I know that him being snubbed and overlooked and treated as a one season wonder makes him hungrier and work harder than most. the way he scores he could average more than A.I. in his career as long as he's healthy of course and he's on a team where the franchise and players want him to shine (hopefully it could remain Boston but they where questionable with keeping him during the draft) and A.I. would love for this dude to be better than him he loves his game and his heart for the game
Isaiah is honestly far more impressive tbh. I mean, think about it.. His stats at age 27 are all better than what Iverson's were. The dude is dropping almost 40 points a night at this point, and is just 5'8"! At least Allen Iverson was 6 feet tall. That's the difference right there, is they aren't both the same size... Iverson is known for being that crazy good small dude, yet Isaiah is 4 inches shorter than he was.
Iverson was really 5'11 and Isaiah's 5'9. Even so both guards are small and while Isaiah I'd say is more disadvantaged than Iverson was cause he's even shorter, IT is built a little bigger than Iverson was. IT weight's around 180 to 185 while Iverson usually played at 160 to 165 lbs. IT is very impressive though. He actually shoots a good percentage at that height which, I kinda give a little more leniancy for that when your shorter.
Isaiah ain't 5'9, he's 5'8 man.. He wrote a letter to Boston and said it himself. Also, if you watch the video of Iverson standing next to Isaiah, he's much taller.. But ether way, he's 3-4 inches on him. Yet you're right, Thomas is pretty big for his size.. So it makes sense that he can get to the rim like he does.
Bear in mind that Thomas has literally every bit of help to have the efficiency he has while Iverson didn't. Thomas is still a better shooter than Iverson ever was, but the efficiency gap is not as big as you think it is. Iverson in his physical prime never had the kick out options Thomas had and his team would lose playoff games when he when he didn't shoot 30 times, even LBJ in 2007 at least had kick out options. When Iverson got this with a raw Korver, a raw Iggy and Webbers' corpse, his FG% was floating around 45%, his eFG% at 47% and his TS% at 55% until he left Denver, this was all age 29-32. Speaking of FG%, compared to Thomas (who is a more willful shooter than A.I), a lot of the shots that skewed down A.I's FG% came from difficult shots that opponents allowed him to shoot, meanwhile mauling him everytime he created a drive for himself as he attacked the rim, which skews down his FG%, but the value is shown when looking at TS%. He became a much more willful and efficien shooter after handchecking was removed and even became a not-so-terrible 3 point shooter (though of course IT's elite 3 point shooting dwarfs this). The most glaring things that skew Iverson stats down, especially when comparing Isaiah's current season to Iverson's season at Isaiah's age, are the fact that when hand-checking was removed A.I's numbers shot up (IT never played with handchecking) as well as when Iverson was I.T's current age, he was frequently injured, which is nothing new since he usually plays through it, but the problem was so were his teammates, forcing a ridiculous burden on A.I's efficiency and this happened for multiple seasons. Thomas also benefits from an improved system that was upgraded from a time when nobody knew how to build around a player like Iverson as it hadn't been done before, while also living in an era that heavily relies on analytical data that forces him to be efficient to even keep his minutes whereas Larry Brown literally told Iverson to take all those shots he did post-2000 and all they knew of at the time was to surround A.I in players who were exclusively defensive specialists. I don't believe Thomas is the better player yet, despite being a better shooter than A.I ever was, nor am I even suggesting that A.I's efficiency could've been better than Thomas if he was in this era, but people are so unfair on A.I's efficiency without using proper context and without using comparable sample data.
I follow the nba, an AI, was a unique combined player. U presented an factual argument of comparison. Good job.. Isaiahs nice, plus theres videos of AI co signing him, an respecting the fact AI was his idol an look up to. So the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Here are the main differences between the two. Allen did it over a span of 14 years, so we're gonna have to wait if Thomas can do that. I mean yeah at 27 AI averaged 28ppg and later on he had 3 more seasons of 30+ ppg one of those being 33ppg. The defense back in the day was tougher and point guards didn't really score that much but were more so defenders. And a lot of times they would throw all kinds of defenders at Iverson. Just look at game 1 of the finals, Kobe first guarded Allen then Lue "guarded" or better yet kept pulling Iverson. He still scored 48. I love Thomas but I'm afraid people will never truly understand what AI did in that time unless they actually witnessed it. If people are already forgetting what Jordan did of course they'll forget about what AI did.
denzzeell AI era was full of LEGENDS asf. He played against with MJ, Kobe, Shaq, TMac, Vince Carter etc... you name it. Plus the fact he has alot of issues and problems (he was jailed) But he still made his way to the top. NBA nowadays is too soft. Hope IT make it too though.
Well you do realize efficiency comes from having teammates who can make it easier for you. Put Curry on an average team and his efficiency goes down. Put anyone on AI teams of the early 2000s and I'm pretty sure they won't be as efficient as they are now. And the little guards of this era you are talking about are all 4 5 inches taller, except for IT. And dribbling is objective since AI used a basic crossover, but was much faster than anyone so you couldn't really stop him.
HPM Royale Tell me about these players. But they must be the number one, two and three option on offense, be 6 feet or less and play against real defense. I'll wait on the names. Don't just say something without backing it up and think you're right.
I know I'll get some hate for saying this but I think Thomas is honestly better right now then Iverson ever was. Awesome vid. Do you hoop anywhere dude? Lol
Dope! I don't know if you want to our you can send it in a private message but I'd like to know who you are and where you play and stuff. Big fan of your vids
Thomas and Iverson are built physically different so they play very different.....Iverson was wiry and skinny with Thomas is stocky and thick, like a running back. So Thomas plays under more control and welcomes contact more to then move the defender....Iverson was NOT afraid of contact but avoided it with his shftiness....Result...Thomas plays under more control....But both have super long arms for their size....
AI was compared to Isaiah Thomas SR(pistons) and now his son compared to AI.....he is overlooked big time because he does remind the Big Wigs in NBA of AI and they (BIG WIGS) the commission commision hates AI....
Ed Arcelay (celtics) isiah thomas isn't (pistons) isiah thomas son their completely unrelated its jus (celtics)IT father made a deal with his friend that if the (pistons) won a playoff series or the championship against whatever team they were playing at that time that he would name his son after (pistons) isiah thomas and so the pistons won and u see the result (celtics) isiah thomas was born
where this comparison gets murky is Iverson was really overrated due to narrative/pop culture, and Thomas gets really underrated due to people over focusing on his defensive deficiencies. I think Thomas will be better when all is said and done, but the narrative may not support that. He's a much smarter and more efficient player. I don't really think Iverson gambling passing lanes makes him a better defender either.
Isaiah is better than Iverson. I think Iverson was a better athlete but he shot a low percentage probably because he didn't like practice. If he worked on his shot like I think Isaiah does he would have been a lot better. It's all about practice.
The only differnce is AIs crossover and he could dunk, but IT coyld xo one or the other if he really worked on it. Not saying he doesnt have a crossover, but if AI wanted to he could break the floor with his move.
IT has little simple and suttle cross overs that he uses but he doesn't use it as often as Iverson did. I actually think IT is slightly more athletic than Iverson was. I think they had around the same vertical I think at 40 plus inches. It's just that Iverson is a 2 to 3 inches taller IT and he has a long wingspan, even though IT has a long wingspan too, but Iverson's was longer. IT has a quicker 1st step than Iverson did imo but both were quick.
I just want Isaiah to dunk it in the game. Nobody knows he can throw it down. I want him to just posterize somebody in the playoffs... save it for the playoffs. haha.
But has he changed the Game? When you can come into a foundation that has been built and stood strong for years, and you come in and Make THE NBA play on your terms. I.e change the game Literally. Not even Jordan or Lebron has done that. That's amazing in itself and there will never be another iverson No matter how anyone puts it. I have to say good comparison but Iverson will be forever know as the one to change the game PERIOD no argument to that.
iverson wasnt always noticed or fan favorite hell he wasnt an all-star in his 1st 3 or four seasons even while leading the league in scoring or being top 5 in scoring it takes time to get that ... kobe was the one getting all the attention while Ai was producing more
IT is a GOAT.why? he carrying Celtics to the top with just good teammates not superstars like curry & kyrie is y'all see top team in the league they're surrounded by great players IT is the best player check the PER stats best second after Westbrook.unless IT have a better team record.which is great
Bro this shit is exactly what I tell my friends, nice to know I'm not the only one
Jonathan Vazquez same
1:20 did he just block DeMarcus Cousins?!
SuperGaming Mix GET THAT S--T OUTTA HERE
woaw wtf
yea
Hell yeah he did!
Costone90 Cousins is one of the best centers in today's nba
As a AI fan and a Celtics fan, I see the similarities in their games. But at least for me, I can't put them in the same class until/if IT4 can be the solo star and make it to the NBA finals.
To me, that's what will always set them apart, is the ability to carry a team to the finals.
Brian McDonald True but thats not the point of this video (i think) I think the point is that IT should get more attention and respect that he gets
AI had Eric snow Dikembe mutumbo, Aaron Mckey, Todd Mcculloch an old Toni Kukoc. A old vernon maxwell . I mean this guy literally carried the Sixers on his back. Isaiah is no joke but he's got a little better team.
Jessica Sims you're right
Jessica Sims you're going to tell me Isaiah has/had a better team? The sixers record in 2000-01 was 56-26. Before Isaiah came to the Celtics their Record was 42-40 in the 2014-15 season. His first season as a Celtic their record was 48-34. He was an automatic star making him an all-star his first year. With their team full of injuries.
whats your point. If Allen wasn't on the sixers they would have maybe won 20 games all season.
Tell me. How good would the Celtics be doing right now? With Smart as their starting pg? How would that go? And no they would not win "maybe 20 games all season" if they have the same amount of usage. "I believe that the sixers of that time and the Celtics of this time are very similar teams"
Yeah I kinda agree with your argument. Really I think the teams were built pretty similarly. The only difference is I think the Sixers had worse overall shooting than the Celtics although there wasn't as much infensis on shooting the 3 ball or doing it well back then, oh and Mutumbo as the Celtics don't really have a true center even though Mutumbo was only there for what, one season?
Sarcastically, Iverson is the 1st pick of the class 1996 but Thomas is only the very last pick of the class 2011.
Iverson changed the NBA.
Period.
Thomas is better than Iverson right now. (This season)
Ronold Cledor iverson crossover is banned from the nba
Ronold Cledor yeah and IT played less mins at this age and got better stats than AI did at this age
Ronold Cledor Where's Isaiah Thomas's ROTY
Aled Pittman or MVP
Ronold Cledor here's the thing, you can compare anybody but you can't compare. Iverson took the worst team to the finals, while he was injured, as an underdog. He played in a tougher era, amongst names such as Shaq, Jordan, Kobe, Kidd, the James/Anthony /Wade (early) era. Name two guys you'd take off of Iverson's team, over the Celtics. Iverson paved the way but numbers don't do him justice.
Damian Lillard, Isaiah Thomas & Russell Westbrook are 3 players that most remind me of my all-time favourite A.I. to me. All 3 have bits and parts that make me see A.I. in them. And also Dame's rap game like A.I. was back in a day, Russell with a fashion statement like A.I. back in a day and all 3 carry a franchise like A.I. did in Philly.
And go Patriots!! They will win 33-23! Tom Brady - MVP
Yeah I agree with You completely, bro! A.I. to me is also GOAT, he never was no Uncle Tom like MJ, Kobe and LBJ are, he never sold out, he always was himself, real to himself and to black people in the hood. I know he will never be viewed as GOAT over MJ, Kobe and LBJ, but in his prime he was better than Kobe (realisticly viewing) in 2000 - 2006. But P4P he is G.O.A.T., no argument to be made on anybody else over A.I. ... those 3 are players that keep my idol's spirit alive in the game, that's all ... I know they will never be like that like A.I. was, he had most heart out of anybody EVER ... in all sports. He was/is/always will be most influential basketball player to ever live (over MJ any day!) and for me, he's my biggest inspiration and motivation, he's my idol 'til death! I can only put Kevin Garnett and Ray Lewis in the same sentence with A.I. when it comes to giving their all on the court, playing with their heart 1st, talent 2nd ... man, I wish KG and A.I. could've been on the same team from 2000 - 2008, they would've been unreal together.
Yeah, he was black-balled out of the league pretty much, he was "good" until he was traded to Detroit from Nuggets during the early part of 2008-09 season after 3 games (according to Wiki). He averaged like You said 26.4 points, 7 assists and played all 82 games, and played 42 minutes per game and shot hi highest FG% in his career in 2007-08, but he wasn't in no All-NBA teams (there is 3 as You know, so 15 places and during that time CP3 and Kobe were in the 1st team All-NBA I think, but AI should've made it into the 2nd team All-NBA for sure, or 3rd at least). And he didn't even made Olympics 2008 team also after that season. Tim Donaghy said after his game fixing came public in documentary or to "60 minutes" that he knew A.I. & Sixers would lose, if certain referees would officiate Sixers games ... it's pretty obvious, Stern hated him from the start (1996), he did everything (like dress code, cancelling his rap album's release if he doesn't change lyrics, and changed ball-carrying rules also so to try to make A.I.'s best move less lethal ... didn't happen only LOL and also allowing the zone-defense because of A.I.'s dominance with man-to-man defense or 1vs 1, which was A.I.'s bread and butter). I hate that old skuns 'til death for what he did to A.I.
He was actually good in Detroit also, but rookie head coach insisted that A.I. and Rip can't start together and then Rodney Stuckey was inserted into the starting line-up, even though Rip and A.I. starting their record was better ... then he was the "cancer of the team" ... same thing was in Memphis, A.I. felt he put up better numbers than O.J. Mayo and outplayed him in the pre-season and in the training camp, but coach preferred O.J. Mayo instead in those 3 games A.I. played for Memphis ... and then after like 2 months off he came back to Sixers for 25 games, and he wasn't in great shape and had personal problems also during that time ... he's best game was vs Kobe, that was like 2001 NBA Finals, Kobe vs A.I. ... classic ... but yes media and the league portrayed him like a cancer and some gangster with his "posse" (like Phil Jackson likes to call LeBron's crew now also LOL) and he was black-balled out of the league ... no other way to look at it. It's a sad ending to HoF career, at least he got to end it in his team, that he would've died for, blue collar city, Philly ... I'm happy for that. And also that he got into the HoF in the 1st ballot, that also surprised me a little ... I thought they will fuck him over again, because media persons vote also for that I think ... but he got in at 1st try, like he should've been. Now during the summer, he's gonna play in Ice Cube's BIG 3 vs 3 league, I think ... hope he has something left in the tank. ... and they blamed him for USA's 2004 Olympics bronze medal also, but he was the best player in that tournament for USA's team and they changed the squad from 2003 FIBA American Championship winning team for that 2004 Olympics team very much, 3 rookies with 1 year pro experience (LeBron, D-Wade and Melo), one college graduate (2004 NBA Draft 2nd pick after Dwight Howard and Okafor won 2004-05 ROY also, not Howard, which is funny) Emeka Okafor and Richard Jefferson from 2001 Draft, Amar'e & Carlos Boozer from 2002 Draft, so it wasn't very great team and several big name players from that 2003 FIBA gold medal team dropped out for some reason and it was Iverson, Marbury, Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion and Tim Duncan pretty much in 2004 Olympics.
In that 2003 FIBA Americas Championship team were Jason Kidd, T-Mac, Vince Carter, Jermaine O'Neal, Mike Bibby, Kenyon Martin, Ray Allen, Elton Brand ... and Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan also from big name players ... so 8 very good/great players didn't play in 2004 Olympics, where Argentina won gold medal and beat USA in the semis also ... the same Argentina, that USA beat by 33 points in the final of 2003 FIBA Americas LOL
Iverson was loved because of his character and style of play. Isaiah is good and stats wise they are similar but Iverson has that something special.
I came into this video thinking, "what the hell is he talking about even putting these two in the same sentence..." but after going through the entire video, you clearly raise a compelling argument with facts to back it. good work.
Thanks for this. incredible work your underrated you should be THE NBA Analyzer of the year 2017.
I think the rules have helped IT...Allen Iverson played around the time defense was a lot more physical
THANK YOU for mentioning this. Iverson despite being out of his prime, he had his best years of efficiency after hand-checking was removed.
I'm a celtics fan and I know he's a really under rated player and I tell all my friends that he really good but they always say he sucks and I have to show the that Isaiah is averaging 29 points a game(second best in the nba) and I really like to see at least some people giving him some love. Great video man.
+Daboy21 Thanks for watching!
Fantastic video, I hope you do more of these. I'm really disappointed he didn't make the all-star this year. I don't understand how Irving got in ahead of him. Basketball has let him down.
+Shaiakh Amjad He will still be an All-Star, he's just not starting. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
Yeah kinda sucks that the All-Star game is just a massive popularity contest. Makes sense tho, it's just for entertainment so it's better that people see the players they vote for I guess. I still think that IT and DeRozan would have made a nasty backcourt combo.
I love it when people actually understand that Isaiah Thomas is amazing.
Isaiah Thomas is the best thing that happened to the Celtics since 2008! Thanks for the stats man. Awesome vid!
This video is great. And the funny part is that his PPG has increased by at least 2 PPG since the posting of this. He's certainly playing at another level this year, for sure.
Edit: At the rate he's going, he could pass Westbrook for the scoring title, although as a Celtics fan, I still believe Westbrook does more for his team this year with Durant gone.
+Steve D He's just playong out of his mind right now. Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching.
I do think he is underrated. And you just got another subscriber.
Great Video bro! The intro was fire.
Celtics have wayyyyy more offensive weapons around Lil Zeke than AI's 6ers, but solid video nonetheless *clicks like*
it's a faster game now, compared to when Iverson played. Iverson can't be compared to anyone, but Isaiah Thomas is a legend in the making. enough said 🙏🙏 salute to the young god👊
Great video!!! Isaiah needs to be showed more respect for what he does and soon enough, people won't argue with him being on AI's level!!!
+Matt_cardarelli Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Iverson made it possible for guys like Isaiah to shine, because (like Curry now) Iverson changed the whole game !
i love ur vids bro havent seen a channel like this for a while
+Denny Arroyo Appreciate it bro. Thanks for watching!
The fact that amazes me is that the Suns had Thomas and Dragic (+Bledsoe) on the same team. Thomas and Dragic are now the faces of their new teams. I know that they were all 3 pg's and there was not enough room for everyone...but I still think that the Suns front office might be one of the worst in the league because they did't get much in return for those players or even to get them on the team in the first place.
Isaiah Thomas, is as good as he is "now" from simply working as hard, and developing his game, his shot, and his body to spectacular levels. But its taken him a little bit longer to develop, as he was figuring out his role on each team he played on. Now he's simply blossoming and he can "go all out" like he said, on any given night he has to.
Great video, I was wondering this honestly then when I saw this it confirmed my thoughts on Thomas.
+heiltecn9ne Appreciate it. Thanks for watching!
Actually after MJ and AI retirement i quit to watch NBA since then, but one time this small guy caught my attention i think back in 2013 on TV, he's good and kinda reminded me of AI but less handles yet effective and good scoring machine. FYI he's not that short, there's these Muggsy Bogues and Spudd Webb that much shorter than him and they're like 5'6 PGs but boy he's something, hope he and Kyrie become a legend one day, they're one of my top picks for this new generation of basketball.
P.S. AI played against with tons of amazing players i mean LEGENDS asf like MJ, TMAC, KOBE, SHAQ etc... you name it 90's bloody basketball era. On the other hand IT's generation is different, NBA nowadays is too soft and full of crybabies. But nontheless, hats off to IT! I even bought couple of his jerseys just to pay some support.
+TH13beast
The ANSWER to your question at 1:14 ....why he's not....is
1/ Celtics wining record the year before. Weighted how deep they went int playoffs
2/ Number of personal awards i.e. Scoring titles, MVPs
3/ Breakout year, the year before i.e. was running for personal award
4/ Flagged as Future superstar, based on last year's performance. Note } This gets you like 1-2 games and generally close to the All-star weekend, to push votes as the league sees them as future stars of the league i.e. Greek Freak
All of these impact how many Celtics games that are NOT against teams that meet the above criteria are are shown on the major cable channels i.e. ESPN, TNT vs just shown on local cable i.e. CSN. As you can see from their schedule, unless they are playing Cavs, Warriors, Knicks etc .....their games are all on CSNHD
www.nba.com/celtics/schedule
*NOTE* | the schedule is sold a year in advance. So if Isiah continues putting up monster numbers this year, next year,....Celtics will get more ESPN and TNT games.
*NOTE_2* | This is why OKC got far fewer games on ESPN an TNT this year than they did years past; as when the cable networks bid on the schedule, they had no idea that Westbrook will have a huge year
The above is exactly why clubs pay so much for a superstar, as it increases the number $ ESPN and TNT are willing to pay for that clubs games. Because more people will tune in to the game, more eyeballs means more $ per advertising slot slot during the game.
Good input bro! Thanks for watching!
isaiah is amazing and I always thought that and he can compare to ai but Celtics now team are a little better than the Sixers at the time thats the only difference beside handles and who's better (Iverson).And I'm like the biggest ai fan there is believe me.
great vid btw subbed
+Sharkkyyy ツ Appreciate it bro. Thanks for watching!
Being 5'8 I use these two players as inspiration and role models
What i have noticed about IT is that when he does the things that Iverson does but he goes through more contact. I don't know if thats just me noticing that.
Damn good clip bro keep up the good work
Iverson was a better defender but Isaiah is way more efficient on offense. It's true they are insanely comparable
I don't really remember Iverson being a good defender? I would say he was ok but nothing great. He was really good at getting steals though. I'd actually say Isaiah a better individual defender than AI was but IT can only do so much at his even shorter height.
Niko Cross Not even close. Stealing ball it's part of defense,especially if you're short and you couldn't block shots on taller guys every night. Iverson is 6ft with shoes on, he's 5'10".
I guess what I mean is neither one of them are good defenders. Just ok at best.
Niko Cross isiah SUCKS at defense. He is way than AI
These two guys simply exceeded limits. Let's enjoy the new lil guy, he's got the heart of a lion.
He can play on a similar level and it is extremely impressive for a 5'9 guy to be top 5 in scoring. But one thing that AI has done is that he changed a generation, he influenced a whole generation with his whole hip hop culture movement
real good stuff man
+Tristan Lotivio Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching!
Most under rated player is Gordan Hayward
MonsterBoy -1999 Hayward is actually overrated
michael jordan Melo is underrated now because of haters like you
DIMES Melo is over rated because he can't carry a team like a leader and he has no defense.
michael jordan melo has the made the playoffs EVERY single year of his career except the last 3.
You a causal fan huh?
MonsterBoy -1999 he carried the Denver Nuggets to a game away from the finals
Iverson is strong, and dunks, Isaiah is a really good shooter, and a scorer
if Isaiah gotten the chance to shine from the very beginning and wasn't over looked I think he would be great but at the same time I know that him being snubbed and overlooked and treated as a one season wonder makes him hungrier and work harder than most. the way he scores he could average more than A.I. in his career as long as he's healthy of course and he's on a team where the franchise and players want him to shine (hopefully it could remain Boston but they where questionable with keeping him during the draft) and A.I. would love for this dude to be better than him he loves his game and his heart for the game
right on. IT is way more clutch than AI
Isaiah is honestly far more impressive tbh. I mean, think about it.. His stats at age 27 are all better than what Iverson's were. The dude is dropping almost 40 points a night at this point, and is just 5'8"! At least Allen Iverson was 6 feet tall. That's the difference right there, is they aren't both the same size... Iverson is known for being that crazy good small dude, yet Isaiah is 4 inches shorter than he was.
Iverson wasn't 6 feet, ask anyone that was around him. He was more around 5'10
Iverson was really 5'11 and Isaiah's 5'9. Even so both guards are small and while Isaiah I'd say is more disadvantaged than Iverson was cause he's even shorter, IT is built a little bigger than Iverson was. IT weight's around 180 to 185 while Iverson usually played at 160 to 165 lbs. IT is very impressive though. He actually shoots a good percentage at that height which, I kinda give a little more leniancy for that when your shorter.
Isaiah ain't 5'9, he's 5'8 man.. He wrote a letter to Boston and said it himself. Also, if you watch the video of Iverson standing next to Isaiah, he's much taller.. But ether way, he's 3-4 inches on him. Yet you're right, Thomas is pretty big for his size.. So it makes sense that he can get to the rim like he does.
Bear in mind that Thomas has literally every bit of help to have the efficiency he has while Iverson didn't. Thomas is still a better shooter than Iverson ever was, but the efficiency gap is not as big as you think it is. Iverson in his physical prime never had the kick out options Thomas had and his team would lose playoff games when he when he didn't shoot 30 times, even LBJ in 2007 at least had kick out options. When Iverson got this with a raw Korver, a raw Iggy and Webbers' corpse, his FG% was floating around 45%, his eFG% at 47% and his TS% at 55% until he left Denver, this was all age 29-32. Speaking of FG%, compared to Thomas (who is a more willful shooter than A.I), a lot of the shots that skewed down A.I's FG% came from difficult shots that opponents allowed him to shoot, meanwhile mauling him everytime he created a drive for himself as he attacked the rim, which skews down his FG%, but the value is shown when looking at TS%. He became a much more willful and efficien shooter after handchecking was removed and even became a not-so-terrible 3 point shooter (though of course IT's elite 3 point shooting dwarfs this).
The most glaring things that skew Iverson stats down, especially when comparing Isaiah's current season to Iverson's season at Isaiah's age, are the fact that when hand-checking was removed A.I's numbers shot up (IT never played with handchecking) as well as when Iverson was I.T's current age, he was frequently injured, which is nothing new since he usually plays through it, but the problem was so were his teammates, forcing a ridiculous burden on A.I's efficiency and this happened for multiple seasons.
Thomas also benefits from an improved system that was upgraded from a time when nobody knew how to build around a player like Iverson as it hadn't been done before, while also living in an era that heavily relies on analytical data that forces him to be efficient to even keep his minutes whereas Larry Brown literally told Iverson to take all those shots he did post-2000 and all they knew of at the time was to surround A.I in players who were exclusively defensive specialists. I don't believe Thomas is the better player yet, despite being a better shooter than A.I ever was, nor am I even suggesting that A.I's efficiency could've been better than Thomas if he was in this era, but people are so unfair on A.I's efficiency without using proper context and without using comparable sample data.
They definitely have similar skill sets. Now its a matter of can IT be consistent over a long period of time the way AI was.
Thomas is really good, A.I. just makes it look so much more amazing!
great vid
Great video!
I follow the nba, an AI, was a unique combined player. U presented an factual argument of comparison. Good job.. Isaiahs nice, plus theres videos of AI co signing him, an respecting the fact AI was his idol an look up to. So the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Suns were stupid for trading him. The closest player to Iverson
Here are the main differences between the two. Allen did it over a span of 14 years, so we're gonna have to wait if Thomas can do that. I mean yeah at 27 AI averaged 28ppg and later on he had 3 more seasons of 30+ ppg one of those being 33ppg. The defense back in the day was tougher and point guards didn't really score that much but were more so defenders. And a lot of times they would throw all kinds of defenders at Iverson. Just look at game 1 of the finals, Kobe first guarded Allen then Lue "guarded" or better yet kept pulling Iverson. He still scored 48. I love Thomas but I'm afraid people will never truly understand what AI did in that time unless they actually witnessed it. If people are already forgetting what Jordan did of course they'll forget about what AI did.
denzzeell AI era was full of LEGENDS asf. He played against with MJ, Kobe, Shaq, TMac, Vince Carter etc... you name it. Plus the fact he has alot of issues and problems (he was jailed) But he still made his way to the top. NBA nowadays is too soft. Hope IT make it too though.
Well you do realize efficiency comes from having teammates who can make it easier for you. Put Curry on an average team and his efficiency goes down. Put anyone on AI teams of the early 2000s and I'm pretty sure they won't be as efficient as they are now. And the little guards of this era you are talking about are all 4 5 inches taller, except for IT. And dribbling is objective since AI used a basic crossover, but was much faster than anyone so you couldn't really stop him.
HPM Royale Tell me about these players. But they must be the number one, two and three option on offense, be 6 feet or less and play against real defense. I'll wait on the names. Don't just say something without backing it up and think you're right.
He doesn't have to palm the ball like Iverson did.
those haters still gonna say NO!
I know I'll get some hate for saying this but I think Thomas is honestly better right now then Iverson ever was. Awesome vid. Do you hoop anywhere dude? Lol
+JD Widdis Yeah bro, I actually play at the college level. I have a series coming up soon that you may like to check out. Thanks for watching!
Dope! I don't know if you want to our you can send it in a private message but I'd like to know who you are and where you play and stuff. Big fan of your vids
I follow your twitter page so I could dm you if you want
+JD Widdis Go ahead bro!
do you have instagram?
youre awesome dude
Where can I find the song at the start of the video
Finally someone else realized how good Thomas is
Thomas has been doing this since his sophomore season on the kings
Thomas and Iverson are built physically different so they play very different.....Iverson was wiry and skinny with Thomas is stocky and thick, like a running back. So Thomas plays under more control and welcomes contact more to then move the defender....Iverson was NOT afraid of contact but avoided it with his shftiness....Result...Thomas plays under more control....But both have super long arms for their size....
he does get credit he made the allstar team last year and I think this year
this is amazing
+Lester Sabilano Thanks for watching!
he is incredible, he is not really celebrate, thats why the he is not on the press
he was the last fucking pick in the draft too, literally number 60
Iverson had his signature crossover. Thomas doesn't have a signature move yet
do a malcolm brogdon mix please
what is the song at the beginning
I respected Isaiah before I watched the video!!!!
AI was compared to Isaiah Thomas SR(pistons) and now his son compared to AI.....he is overlooked big time because he does remind the Big Wigs in NBA of AI and they (BIG WIGS) the commission commision hates AI....
Ed Arcelay (celtics) isiah thomas isn't (pistons) isiah thomas son their completely unrelated its jus (celtics)IT father made a deal with his friend that if the (pistons) won a playoff series or the championship against whatever team they were playing at that time that he would name his son after (pistons) isiah thomas and so the pistons won and u see the result (celtics) isiah thomas was born
My boy IT! GO CELTICS!!!!
What about Kemba Walker?
Ill admit It might be harder for Isaiah 5'9 now than it was for Iverson 6'0
Allen will win MVP if he gets his team 55 or more wins and if he is still averaging 29 a game
It pisses me off that he's not a starter this yr; HES SECOND IN SCORING!
The final point is pretty much that Thomas has the potential to be better than Iverson
where this comparison gets murky is Iverson was really overrated due to narrative/pop culture, and Thomas gets really underrated due to people over focusing on his defensive deficiencies. I think Thomas will be better when all is said and done, but the narrative may not support that. He's a much smarter and more efficient player. I don't really think Iverson gambling passing lanes makes him a better defender either.
Isaiah is better than Iverson. I think Iverson was a better athlete but he shot a low percentage probably because he didn't like practice. If he worked on his shot like I think Isaiah does he would have been a lot better. It's all about practice.
powerful
thank for the vid
+Christopher Essieh No problem bro. Thanks for watching!
The only differnce is AIs crossover and he could dunk, but IT coyld xo one or the other if he really worked on it. Not saying he doesnt have a crossover, but if AI wanted to he could break the floor with his move.
IT has little simple and suttle cross overs that he uses but he doesn't use it as often as Iverson did. I actually think IT is slightly more athletic than Iverson was. I think they had around the same vertical I think at 40 plus inches. It's just that Iverson is a 2 to 3 inches taller IT and he has a long wingspan, even though IT has a long wingspan too, but Iverson's was longer. IT has a quicker 1st step than Iverson did imo but both were quick.
Niko Cross true also IT can turn it on quick not saying AI didn't he used crossers to get open and get by someone.
Niko Cross no iverson is way faster
I love Isaiah
I could see the comparisons
I love both 😍
I just want Isaiah to dunk it in the game. Nobody knows he can throw it down. I want him to just posterize somebody in the playoffs... save it for the playoffs. haha.
you forgot the level of defense on them
Y bro that's what I thought Thomas not gonna be the second iverson he gonna be the first Thomas
DAVID ZHU theres a already a great thomas..but ye
John Freexzy Isaiah Thomas got his name from the Detroit Isiah Thomas
But has he changed the Game? When you can come into a foundation that has been built and stood strong for years, and you come in and Make THE NBA play on your terms. I.e change the game Literally. Not even Jordan or Lebron has done that. That's amazing in itself and there will never be another iverson No matter how anyone puts it. I have to say good comparison but Iverson will be forever know as the one to change the game PERIOD no argument to that.
ai is one of the goats I can agree but ai is way better
I'm not hating on Thomas
the only difference Iverson didn't play his true position pg. he wasn't a sg to me his team sucked so he had to
i think he is realy underrated the guy from this video is better than iverson
IT deff plays better in the 4th quarter
he cold ass hell I fuck with him
fire alert listen to Kaleb Mitchell -Ai ft aha.... hurry the13beast
+Samuel Cymonisse You already know bro.
TH13beast .....wat u waitin for......aha ripped that thing apart. Make a mix
+Samuel Cymonisse I got a little something on deck...me and Kaleb have been in talks about somethings lately. Stay tuned.👀
..........aww yea
Truth.
Isaiah Thomas and Damien Lillard are so underrated.😑
i knew before anybody that isaiah was the closest thing to ai in todays game.
iverson wasnt always noticed or fan favorite hell he wasnt an all-star in his 1st 3 or four seasons even while leading the league in scoring or being top 5 in scoring it takes time to get that ... kobe was the one getting all the attention while Ai was producing more
+Pocket La'dray (Mr7901) Exactly. That's even more of a reason for Isaiah to compare to him. He's just now getting recognition. Thanks for watching!
comparison is very fair
brad stevens is a good coach
he's a good player
Yeah i agree wit what chur saying
IT is a GOAT.why?
he carrying Celtics to the top with just good teammates not superstars like curry & kyrie is
y'all see top team in the league they're surrounded by great players
IT is the best player check the PER stats best second after Westbrook.unless IT have a better team record.which is great
IT isn't on AI's level yet..maybe someday...He is a great player though.
yes he can
Boykins > IT > AI