[leithusrexParticipant]

What are your thoughts. I’m a big time Seattle basketball fan so I have a bias based on what I’ve seen from him over the past three years and the lack of what I have seen from some other late second round PG prospects across the nation. I’ve heard it from other Pac-10 coaches and agree: he was one of the most underrated and disrespected PGs in the nation. Is the only thing working against him his size? I don’t see much Barea is doing that Thomas can’t. Maybe Barea’s range is a little deeper and more polished for the NBA depth three line.

The last time I posted a forum topic was for a similar question about Brockman 2 years back (and I honestly did not think he would go). I am a Seattle fanboy and will admit the bias. Looking for input from across the nation. Thomas is the most rounded player UW has put out in the past 3-4 years, better than Brockman and Pondexter, he was the pilot of that ship even in his freshman year and proved he can be a big time distributor this year. But the mock consensus seems to be that he isn’t NBA material…..

Maybe Portland takes him. They have a recent history of drafting Seattle talent. I don’t know if anyone else would, but then again I would not be surprised if he did go as high as early second, based on how well he ran a major D1 school and proved he can be a leader against major talent set for NBA careers. That might sound crazy but he seems like a serious question mark.

Thoughts? What else is in his way besides height?

[JaeEvolutionParticipant]

 I live in Washington and don’t really follow college basketball, but after watching Draft Combine seeing the results of his shooting and athletic testing I know he can be good. I would say the only thing Barea has that he doesn’t is experience in the league.

He is very close with a lot of Seattle based athletes (Jamal Crawford, Brandon Roy, Jason Terry) and they support him constantly. I wouldn’t mind him going to Portland and becoming their backup PG but I would LOVE for the Hawks to take him in the 2nd round and partner him in the backcourt with Jamal (if he returns) also I could see him and Jamal along with Marvin Williams also from Seattle to mesh very well on the team.

There is no doubt in my mind he can’t become a Barea type player his FIRST year, he’s that good people knock size too much now days and I love that in his interviews he compares himself to someone like Barea their games are very similar.

[NiceWithTheRockParticipant]

I don’t know much about him aside from the pac 10 and ncaa tourneys but his stats look good, especially 7 apg to 2 turnovers a game. IT is very athletic and quick so his height should not hinder him (personally, I think height is a little overrated). I think someone definitely drafts him or at least gets a camp invite barring a lockout.

[surveParticipant]

Cant say if he will or not because these teams pass on a lot of good players in the 2nd round….but IMO he is too good not to get drafted.  I will be somewhat surprised if he doesnt. 

[JoeWolf1]

 I think he’ll get drafted somwhere in the 50-60 range, he’s still short, but he measured a lot taller than a lot of people thought he would.  He’s got a very good shot, has great athleticism and producted at a high level in college.  I think someone will take him in near the end of the draft.

[leithusrexParticipant]

His athleticism and penetration skills are ridiculous. Personally, i don’t see how teams could pass this up. But you’re right, there’s a lot of talent out there and teams have to pass on some of it. He gets a camp invite for sure.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Isaiah Thomas should definitely be drafted. In any given year, I do not think there are 60 better players than him, and this year is definitely not the exception. I even remember reading somewhere that teams liken him to JJ Barea, and I could see that for sure. I think he is a complete warrior and seems to be a winner, and while he may be more of a combo guard (really small one at that) than a PG, you can still have a player like that play valuable spot minutes for you. If you look at what he did in college, he actually shot a better FG and 3PT% than Barea, not to mention doing it as the main player on his team in the Pac-10.

I think that if you take Isaiah Thomas ANYWHERE in the 2nd round, you are probably making a good pick. The two guys he most compares too are Nate Robinson and Aaron Brooks, and both of those guys as late first round picks are in the top 10 of their draft classes currently in PPG. Nate is 10th in class of 2005 at 11.3 ppg (in 23 mpg, over 397 games) and AB is 7th in 2007 at 12.5 ppg (in 25 mpg over 272 games). Am I saying either should have been a top 10 pick? No, lottery might even be pushing it, but I think they have both been tremendous value picks thus far with Nate at 21 and Aaron at 26. Clearly, they have both excelled at providing teams a quick offensive burst off of the bench, and that is what Isaiah’s role would be as well. It took Barea a while to really carve a niche for himself, but he did so in Dallas 3 years ago, has not looked back and has been a valuable piece to a potential champion.

Isaiah Thomas is a gamer and a great competitor, and I see him carving a niche somewhere, especially due to the fact that he can handle the rock like few others. He reminds me a bit of Aaron Brooks, though I think Isaiah will probably have more ability to drive the paint due to his awesome strength, while Aaron is the superior long range shooter. My point is, Isaiah is one of those guys that may be small in stature, but he will pressure the ball on defense and he will be a terror to try and catch. All I know is that if he is getting Barea comparisons, teams will be on the lookout.

[surveParticipant]

yeah, he is short but thats like maybe the only knock on him…that and he is more of a score first PG.  he is super athletic and very very strong.  he is a sure talent in a draft short on PG’s this year.

[JNixonParticipant]

Thomas is a good scorer, he’ll get picked at the end of the 2nd round. He’s very quick, aggressive, and athletic, but the thing that worries me is he’s a true streak shooter. But so is Barea in all honesty. Thomas is an undersized combo guard, and him sticking will depend on what team he goes to, as he’s a niche player and it will certainly take a coach to fall in love with him to stick and get minutes. He has the talent to do it though definitely.

[mrhancocParticipant]

He’s a good change of pace PG , fast/quick, don’t turn the ball over much and he can get his own shot when needed; but his size and lack of court vision is not impressive to most NBA scouts. If he could improve on his court vision and manage to find his shot early in his career, he could be a pretty good player and a steal in this draft when reviewed years from now

[Pro 1Participant]

I find it believable that IT will go either late in the 1st round or early in the 2nd round.

IT is a gamer and competitor in the JJ Barea mold and every bit the player that KWaker, BKnight & KIrving are coming into the draft in my mind.

IT has solid court vision and passing skills.

[Author]

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