LOS ANGELES – On Sunday evening the Boston Celtics played in their first playoff game of the post season against the Chicago Bulls. Although the Celtics took their first loss to start the series 0-1, Celtics guard, Isaiah Thomas made sure to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that he came to play and he is playing for more than just him. Thomas undoubtedly was devastated at the tragic loss of his younger sister, Chyna Thomas, who died in a car accident just a day before tipoff, but Thomas laced up and played in honor of her.
Coming from Tacoma, Washington, it’s hard to make it out, trust I know that personally, being from there myself. So for Thomas and fellow teammate/long time friend, Avery Bradley, there’s a lot of weight on their shoulders. They literally are doing it for everyone who couldn’t before them and to show the young kids in the Tac (Tacoma) that it is all possible if you work at it. Not to mention trying to prove all of the critics who say Thomas is good, but pointing out how he won’t be good enough or how he’s too small to play this game. There is always something going on in the mind of a great player, always someone there hating your success and waiting for the failure, there’s always those people you have to prove wrong, then there’s all of your believers who you can’t let down, your family, friends and the whole town. Thomas carried this weight day in and day out becoming one of the NBA’s leading scorers this season. However, right now for Isaiah, he has more on his mental than the norm. This is more than just a game, more than just basketball; this is for Chyna Thomas!
On Thomas’ shoes it read: “RIP Lil Sis,” “Chyna,” “4-15-17.” Sunday night, Thomas played for his “lil sis,” scoring a team-high of 33 points in Game 1, after him showing emotion made former NBA star Charles Barkley “uncomfortable” and had others doubting his play before the clock started ticking. Just 22 years old, Chyna Thomas was driving on I-5 around 5AM Saturday morning, according to Washington State Police. It seems that Chyna Thomas was not wearing her seatbelt as her car suddenly drifted toward the left shoulder, approximately 50 feet before crashing in to a large metal pole. Chyna Thomas died at the scene in Federal Way, Washington. #RIP
Now the fact that Thomas was being doubted on how he would play and critized for showing emotion that made other grown men “uncomfortable” is baffling. Especially seeing how Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game, 5.8 assists and was named an NBA All-Star for the second year in a row.
Thomas has agreed to play in Tuesday night’s match up against the Bulls for Game 2 of the NBA Finals before catching a flight to Washington to be with his family. Best of luck to Thomas and the Boston Celtics, take home a win.
Our hearts and prayers are with you and the Thomas family!
Simply Trinidad 