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Denver Nuggets: Three bold predictions for Isaiah Thomas

By James Siegle

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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SANTA MONICA, CA – JULY 19: Figure skater Alex Shibutani (R) and NBA player Isaiah Thomas pose in the Green Room at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2018 at Barker Hangar on July 19, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/VMN18/Getty Images For Nickelodeon)
SANTA MONICA, CA – JULY 19: Figure skater Alex Shibutani (R) and NBA player Isaiah Thomas pose in the Green Room at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports 2018 at Barker Hangar on July 19, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/VMN18/Getty Images For Nickelodeon) /

IT will not average 29 points per game…but he will flirt with 18 and six assists.

Thomas averaged 29 points and six assists in a magical 2016-2017 campaign.

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His stats may have been over-inflated in Brad Steven’s Isaiah-heavy system. But this doesn’t mean the man can’t seriously hoop.

Even last year, the “down-and-out” Thomas averaged 15 points in 32 appearances, Only five times did he fail to score in double-figures. Thomas also recorded 20-plus points in six of his 15 games as a Laker (ESPN).

Isaiah will be disappointed if he expects 29 ppg with Denver. The 2016-2017 season was an awesome display of IT’s capabilities. However, less glamour can still spell success.

A more realistic comparison is the Clippers’ Lou Williams. Sweet Lou averaged 22.6 points and 5.3 assists in 33 minutes off the bench last year (ESPN).

Denver boasts more capable scorers than LA, so 22 ppg is still a stretch. But 17-18 points is certainly attainable. Barton’ assent to the starting lineup leaves a glaring need for bench offense. Who better than IT to plug the leak?

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