Isaiah Thomas sure loves talking to legendary athletes. Earlier this season he raved about his experience talking with Kobe Bryant. He talks with his good friend Floyd Mayweather all the time. Now, Thomas has his sights set on a man who is viewed as a hero in Boston, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
From ESPN’s Chris Forsberg:
Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas on Tuesday expressed a desire to meet New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to pick the four-time Super Bowl champion’s brain about winning, game preparation and leadership.
“It would just probably be like sitting down with Kobe [Bryant],” said Thomas, who has raved about a private one-on-one interaction with the retiring Los Angeles Lakers guard that occurred during Bryant’s final visit to TD Garden in December.
“I got the chance to talk to Kobe. I’m real good friends with Floyd Mayweather, so I get to pick guys-like-that’s brains. I just would like to sit down and actually meet [Brady] and also just pick his brain about winning championships and how he goes about his day, how he prepares. I like his preparation to everything. I like to pick guys’ brains, especially the best in the business, best in their field, and see what he has to say to me. Hopefully I can make it happen.”
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And Thomas smiled wide when it was suggested that he — the 60th and final pick of the 2011 NBA draft — shared similarities with Brady, who was also a late-round pick before putting together a Hall of Fame career.
“Coming into the NFL, he wasn’t supposed to be a Pro Bowler, wasn’t supposed to be a franchise player, wasn’t supposed to win Super Bowls and be arguably the best quarterback ever,” said Thomas. “And I want to be on that path. I’m not saying I’m going to be the best player ever, but … ”
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“I just want to grow,” said Thomas. “Not just being a basketball player but being a leader in all aspects, all facets of the game. And why not learn from the best? Especially, I think it’s better to learn from different guys in different sports in how they lead and how they get respect from their teammates.
“Like I said, I would love to pick his brain, ask him a few questions. I got to do it with Kobe. I got to do it with Floyd Mayweather, always do it with him and things like that. [Peyton] Manning’s retired, so I can’t do it with him. So I’d love to do it with Brady.”
Thomas certainly has to feel lucky, having been able to talk with Bryant and Mayweather already. Talking with Brady would be an incredible experience as well, and I, for one, would be jealous.
Thomas, who was named an All-Star for the first time in his career this year, is averaging 21.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.7% from the field, 34.9% from deep, and 88.6% from the foul line.
