Isaiah Thomas is the second best player in the East

Isaiah Thomas dropped 53 points in Game 1 of the Celtics second round matchup with the Wizards. It was one of the most memorable single game playoff performances in the in recent memory. Thomas played the game of his life on what would have been his sisters’ 23rd birthday.

Colin has been critical of the Celtics roster for lacking superstars, but he thinks that after LeBron, Thomas is the second best player in the East. Thomas is undersized but he’s second in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring, and he shoots the three better than any of the other players regularly mentioned as the second best player in the conference to LeBron.

“That was the best performance by an Eastern player, not named LeBron James, since Michael Jordan.”

Coaching LeBron is hardest coaching job in the NBA because of the expectations

Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue recently said that his coaching job is the most difficult in the NBA. The thought of coaching the best player in the NBA sounds absurd, but Colin agrees with Lue.

Coaching LeBron is the most difficult job because of the expectations that come with it. With LeBron, there is only one outcome that is considered acceptable, winning it all. Everyone who coaches LeBron wins games, but if they don’t win it all, they won’t be there for long. Eric Spoelstra saved his job by winning it all in his second year coaching the Big 3. David Blatt ended up getting canned while leading the Eastern Conference, after reaching the Finals the previous year. It’s not like that in Phoenix.

“When you have LeBron, you win a title or you get fired.”

Guests:

Metta World Peace – NBA veteran and champion is in-studio to talk NBA Playoffs; Isaiah Thomas’ 50-point performance; if the Spurs roster is too old; and why it’s important to rest star players for the fourth quarter in the playoffs.

Wade Phillips – Rams Defensive Coordinator is in-studio to talk about his relationship with 31-year-old coach Sean McVeigh; how Jerry Jones ids different from other owners; why college players coming to the NFL are more ready than ever; and his take on Romo’s retirement/

Nick Wright – FS1 and host of the Make Me Smarter Football Podcast is in-studio to talk about the significance Isaiah Thomas putting up 50 in the playoffs; if the Spurs dynasty is officially over; what’s wrong with LaMarcus Aldridge.

Chris Ballard –  Colts General Manager joins the show to discuss how his coaching experience has helped him in the front office; how he plans to reshape the Colts roster; why player personalities are important; and what it’s like to admit that a rookie is a bust.