Isaiah Thomas is the smallest guy in the NBA with the biggest chip on his shoulder. The Boston Celtics point guard has never been shy about where his motivation comes from: His doubters. He’s too short to play professional basketball. He’s too short to start for a pro team. Too short to be an All-Star. Too short to average nearly 29 points per game. It hasn’t mattered. Thomas thrives on others doubting him. He was selected dead last in the 2011 NBA Draft. Most players picked that late never see a single minute in the NBA. Thomas will probably make an All-NBA team this year.
Nike’s latest “Come out of Nowhere” series features Thomas (along with both of his parents, James Thomas and Tina Baldtrip, and Celtics head coach Brad Stevens) and highlights his rags-to-riches story:
This is the third ad in Nike’s 2017 “Come out of Nowhere” series. The first featured Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker. The second, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Thomas had by far his best season to date in 2015-16 and left that season in the dust this year. Thomas put up career-best marks in minutes per game (33.8) points per game (28.9), field goal percentage (46.3) and free throw percentage (90.9).
The Celtics are currently up 3-2 on the Chicago Bulls in their first-round playoff series.
