Controversy continues to surround the Boston Celtics tribute to Isaiah Thomas; not just when they'll do it, but if they should do it at all. Former Celtics guard Rajon Rondo doesn't believe Thomas deserves any recognition. "What has he done?" Rondo asked, per Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Thomas spent a little over two seasons with the Celtics and propelled himself to a premiere point guard in the league during that time. He earned All-Star selections in his last two years with the team and finished third in the NBA in scoring last season. He also played big in the playoffs despite the loss of his sister and led Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Thomas, however, was unable to get the Celtics past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and his time was cut short when Kyrie Irving demanded a trade, ironically sending Isaiah to the team he was previously unable to beat. Rondo doesn't think what Thomas did was enough to garner a tribute.
"This is the Boston Celtics," the New Orleans Pelicans guard added, per Doyle. "This isn't the Phoenix Suns; no disrespect to any other organization, but you don’t hang conference titles. Do we hang going to the conference finals? What do we hang here?"
The Celtics initially offered to give Thomas a video tribute prior to his first return to Boston but he declined, noting that he preferred a tribute when he was actually able to play and have his family there. Thomas was still recovering from his hip injury and was unable to play in back-to-back games.
Boston then offered another video tribute before his return on Feb. 11, but Thomas announced Tuesday on Twitter that he did not want to conflict with Paul Pierce's jersey retirement game after Pierce complained.
As for Rondo, he got a video tribute in 2015 when he first returned to play against the Celtics after his trade to the Dallas Mavericks. He had spent nine seasons with the team, earned four All-Star appearances, and was a part of the Celtics last NBA championship in 2008.
Source: bleacherreport.com
