Isaiah Thomas already returned to Boston as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers but the All-Star point guard wasn’t able to play on that particular evening. As a result, Thomas encouraged the Celtics not to run a tribute video on his behalf, sending a lot of attention toward the Feb. 11 match-up between the two teams and a potential arrival of that recognition.
However, Celtics legend Paul Pierce will have his jersey retired on that evening and, in short, the future Hall of Fame inductee didn’t take too kindly to the reality of “sharing” his night with another former Celtic. With something of a stand-off forming, it appears that Thomas will defer to Pierce, as he announced that he will turn down a “gracious offer” from the Celtics to display the tribute on that evening.
https://twitter.com/isaiahthomas/status/953427146114043905
Beyond that, Thomas, who is not bashful about his love for his former city, thanked those in Boston that supported him and expressed excitement for an on-court return.
https://twitter.com/isaiahthomas/status/953427364897271808
Thomas is taking the high road here, as many have expressed dismay at Pierce’s stance toward wanting the night to himself. In the grand scheme of things, a three-minute video displayed in tribute to Thomas would not have done much (if anything) to take the spotlight away from Pierce but, on Feb. 11, it will be all Paul Pierce all the time. With the exception of the pure reality that Thomas will take the floor against his former team for the first time, of course.
