Thankfully, Isaiah Thomas Does NOT Need Hip Surgery
(Boston Globe) – Hip surgery has been ruled out for Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said on Wednesday.
Ainge said that Thomas, who severely aggravated an injury to his right hip during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, has resumed light on-court work and has been ramping up his cardiovascular training off the court.
Gather round fellow Celtics fans, and join me in a collective sigh of relief
This is without a doubt, the biggest news of the summer for me. More than the Draft Day trade, more than the Hayward signing, Isaiah Thomas’ hip issue was #1. The NBA has had a few other cases of hip tears that had surgery, and the recovery time is nothing to sneeze at. Wilson Chandler missed the entire season. Kevin Looney had it and had a 4-6 month recovery period. LaMarcus Aldridge had it done and his recovery time was 2-4 months. Any way you want to slice it, the fact that Isaiah waited so long, it is a blessing that he does not have to go under the knife. With the season starting even earlier next season, the Celtics can’t really afford to have Isaiah on the shelf for the next few months, despite the talent that they added this summer.
I will say this also must be a relief for Ainge, who passed on Fultz not knowing what the future had in store for Isaiah and his health. It wouldn’t be the best look to pass up on what is said to be an elite PG prospect, and then find out in July that your All NBA point guard is going to miss major time, so for that I am thankful.
It’s fair that we as fans were a little nervous about Isaiah’s situation when the Celtics signed Shane Larkin, but now that just appears to be camp insurance. It wouldn’t shock me if to start the year the Celts brought Isaiah along slowly, which probably means more Marcus/Rozier minutes while Isaiah gets back to 100%. That isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the world, considering how much Rozier is going to have to elevate his play this season.
At the end of the day though, disaster was avoided and that’s all that really matters. It makes the news of not having Bryan Doo and Ed Lacerte around a little easier to stomach. Isaiah is going to be OK and as a result, the Celtics probably are as well.
Thank you God. Now give me more of this