The 2010s was a remarkable decade of sports. We saw perfect games and no-hitters, broken curses, record-breaking seasons from teams and players, one player going to the finals eight straight times; the list can go on and on but I’m pretty sure I’d lose your attention. I suggested to Pat that we do posts like this to wrap up the decade and oddly enough, I could not even decide between two moments until time was running out. For me, there is only one moment greater than watching Tyus Jones hit the dagger three point shot in the NCAA title game and staring at his brother, future Duke commit, Tre in the stands as he turns around; that was one of my favorite Duke teams of all time and an all-time classic game. But, I digress, there is no better moment for me than watching Isiah Thomas’ 2017 playoff run with the Boston Celtics.
Isiah Thomas? Isn’t that the player who no one wants anymore? The player who was traded for Kyrie Irving that summer and was a disaster for the Cavs? That’s the one. 2017 was also the season some people started debating whether he was the better Isiah Thomas, obviously comparing him to his namesake and basketball hall of famer. Players have had remarkable playoff runs before in all sports but not many were or will be as unique as 2017 IT4, the King of the 4th.
One day before the Celtics were set to play the Chicago Bulls in game one of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Thomas’ sister, Chyna, died in a car crash at age 23 in their home state of Washington. Obviously devastated, there were questions as to whether Isiah would play. I still remember when I got the alert that he was going to play, I looked at my phone and said “this game will be one to remember.” In pre game and introductions, Thomas looked all business and was clearly fighting back tears and just trying to keep himself together; which rightfully ended when the Celtics offered a moment of silence for his late sister after player introductions. Just like that, the camera shot towards Isiah’s sneakers with all the homage being paid and the ball tipped off. Despite the Celtics losing the game, IT4 poured in 33 points in a truly remarkable, tough performance.
The Celtics went on to win the series against the Bulls and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semis when Isiah encountered another event involving his sister. On May 2, 2017, Chyna Thomas would have been 23 years old, and of course the Celtics had another game, this time it was game two against the Wizards. There was little doubt that Isiah Thomas was going to play in this game but these two teams do not have the best of relationships and I was nervous for IT going into this game with all the emotions he was feeling. To be honest, I was more worried something bad would be said in the heat of battle that could trigger something bigger than basketball; but the Celtics have Marcus Smart so that would have ended quickly. Anyway, this game had a different outcome than the game against the Bulls. It was in the 2017 season, when Game of Thrones was taking over the world, that Isiah Thomas was heralded by the fanbase as the King of the 4th and this night Thomas would show the world why that was. The Celtics needed their king to come up big as the Wizards were giving them all they could handle the entire game. Thomas scored 53 points, 29 of which came in the 4th and OT, on his sister’s birthday to help the Celtics take a 2-0 series lead over the Washington Wizards.
It was the greatest moment of my fandom this decade, let’s see if the 2020s can top it!
