Lebron James thinks Isaiah Thomas is a "clear cut star"

While All-Star point guard Isaiah Thomas may have a lot of detractors and garner tons of criticism, almost always due to his height, he can rest well knowing he has at least one fan - LeBron James.

The twelve-time All-Star and three-time NBA Finals champion called Thomas a "clear cut star" on a team that is regularly chastised for not having just that. Thomas, who is constantly reminded that he is in fact five feet nine inches, is currently having a ridiculously efficient and historic season. Not only is IT the leading scorer in the Eastern Conference at 27.7 points per game but he's also coming off of a historic 52 point game against the Miami Heat.

“They got a clear-cut star and that’s Isaiah. The notion that they don’t have a star I think is fugazi as Donnie Brasco would say. Earlier I was watching the movie. So, they’re a good team for a reason and it starts with the head of the snake and that’s Isaiah,” said James of IT, via Cleveland.com

The last pick of the 2011 draft, Thomas has had to deal with constant backlash against his height that, some pundits seem to believe, make him incapable of leading a team or being a bonafide All-Star. Even though IT drives to the rim at will, shoots 90 percent from the free-throw line and is shooting 35 percent from long range, he's still "just" five foot nine inches.

As of last season IT is officially an All-Star. Now he's having a memorable season and is one of the main reasons behind Boston's successes this year. Despite this former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley said that he "wished Isaiah Thomas was six feet six inches." Obviously Barkley's analysis is wholly ridiculous but this is exactly the type of verbatim Thomas has worked hard to overcome.

Thomas is scoring more than fellow point-guards Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Chris Paul and John Wall to name a few. The difference between IT and those players? They're almost always considered All-Stars, Thomas on the other hand can only hope to be taller, according to Charles Barkley.

But now with LeBron James' seal of approval, coupled with his 52 point outburst, Thomas should hopefully start to finally silence his critics. James' comments may also push other players to vote for IT in this years All-Star game. Yes, he's short but there's no doubt he has more than earned his vote.




Photo credit - Ken Blaze/USA Today
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