LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are already benefitting from the arrival of Isaiah Thomas.
He’s averaging a smidge over 16 points per game in just seven games played this season, per Basketball-Reference. In time, that number and the rest of them should jump as he gets in better basketball shape and finds his rhythm and place in the offense.
But James detailed another way Thomas has positively impacted things for the Cavaliers. He said Monday that Thomas makes a significant difference on the fast break, per Nikki Goel of ClutchPoints.
Fans will look at his comments and potentially see a dig at former Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving, who was at times criticized for over-handling the ball and stalling the offense with his style of play.
James seems to be saying that Thomas, at least in transition, is a better option than Irving was. No one’s opinion on that subject matters more than that of James, who spent years with Irving and practices with Thomas every day.
Plus, James is right about in what pushing the ball in transition does to opposing defenses. Thomas likes to work in transition and can make many things happen if he has the ball, though it’s also possible that James wasn’t discussing Irving at all. He didn’t mention Irving’s name in the quote. However, James is known for his subtle off-hand comments.
Either way, the Cavaliers traded Irving for Thomas, so that is the player they will have on the floor for the foreseeable future. It shouldn’t matter what Irving brought last season because that’s over.
If the Cavaliers want to win a championship this year, they will need to make it work with Thomas.