Phoenix Suns’ Isaiah Thomas gets first crack against former team
Nov 7, 2014, 3:00 AM | Updated: 3:00 am
PHOENIX — For the Phoenix Suns, it is simply the next game, the sixth of what is an 82-game 2014-15 regular season.
For point guard Isaiah Thomas, however, it is more. A lot more.
It is the first opportunity for him to play against his former team.
“November 7, December 26, February 8 (and March 25). I know it all,” he told Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM back on media day, listing off the matchups against the Sacramento Kings.
Well, November 7 is Friday, a day the Suns host Sacramento and a day Thomas has had circled on the calendar since the moment he was acquired by Phoenix in the offseason.
Despite averaging team highs, as well as career highs, in both points (20.3) and assists (6.3) last season, Thomas was not viewed as the Kings’ long-term answer at point guard. His future in Sacramento became even more tenuous when, just two days into free agency, the team signed Darren Collison to a three-year, $16 million dollar contract.
A week later, Thomas’ exit out of Northern California became official when the Kings and Suns completed a sign-and-trade in which Thomas put pen to paper on a four-year, $28 million dollar contract to call the Valley home.
His future now resides in the desert.
“I just felt wanted. That’s the biggest reason why I came here because I felt a genuine want for me and I felt like they wanted me for who I was and who I am,” he said at his introductory press conference, before elaborating on his three seasons with the Kings.
“It’s very disrespectful, that’s what I feel. Especially when you keep bringing players in that I don’t think are better than me and at the end of the day I always beat them out for a spot.”
Now, instead of competing with them, Thomas will be competing against them.
Eight players remain from when Thomas played in Sacramento.
“We just need to win, plain and simple. We need to win that game,” he said, speaking after the Suns’ 102-91 loss to Memphis on Wednesday. “I mean, it’s going to be fun, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning. I’m going to play my heart out and hopefully we beat them guys.”
A starter with the Kings, Thomas is adjusting to a new role with the Suns, coming off the bench, where he leads the team in scoring (18.6) and shooting (52.3 percent) while averaging the fifth-most minutes (25.4) per game.
“You just want to play your game, not try to do too much,” he said of the impending matchup against the Kings. “Those games are tough for guys. I just want to go out there and play my game and do what I can to help this team. Obviously I want to play well. I want to show them guys they made a mistake, but at the same time, it’s about winning. It’s about doing what’s best.”
The Suns are 3-2, while the Kings, at 4-1, are off to their best start since the 2001-02 season. They’ve won four straight after dropping their season opener to Golden State.
“That’s a pretty good team over there,” Thomas said. “I tip my hat off to Coach (Mike) Malone. He’s got them guys playing at a high level.”
