As the NBA offseason heats up, a nostalgic wave has swept through Celtics Nation, with fans reflecting on the pivotal 2016-17 season that marked Boston’s return to prominence. At the heart of that resurgence was Isaiah Thomas, the 5-foot-9 dynamo whose one-man-gang heroics captivated the league. Paired with the arrival of Jayson Tatum the following year, the Celtics’ trajectory shifted, cementing their status as a powerhouse. A recent fan post on X, declaring “Miss Isaiah made Boston relevant again. That 2016-2017 season, he was a one man gang.” captures the sentiment that Thomas’ brilliance laid the foundation for Tatum’s rise and Boston’s sustained success.
In the summer of 2016, the Boston Celtics were a team on the cusp. Fresh off a 48-win season and a first-round playoff exit, they lacked a true superstar. Enter Isaiah Thomas, the undersized point guard acquired from the Phoenix Suns in 2015. The 2016-17 season saw Thomas erupt into an All-NBA performer, averaging a staggering 28.9 points and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.9% from three. His fourth-quarter scoring outbursts—earning him the nickname “King in the Fourth”—propelled Boston to a 53-29 record and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Thomas’ signature season was nothing short of magical. He dropped 53 points in a playoff game against Washington on his late sister’s birthday, a performance that remains etched in Celtics lore. Despite a hip injury cutting his postseason short, Thomas led Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals, their first since 2012, challenging LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. “Isaiah was the heart and soul of that team,” said former teammate Al Horford, whose own 2016 free agency signing (ranked 17th-best of the 21st century by CBS Sports) bolstered the roster. “He made us believe we could compete with anyone.”
Thomas’ fearless play and clutch performances turned TD Garden into a fortress and reignited Boston’s relevance on the national stage. As one X user put it, “IT was carrying that team like a backpack.” His undersized stature and relentless heart resonated with fans, making him a beloved figure in a city that reveres grit. Off the court, Thomas’ infectious energy and community engagement endeared him to Boston, amplifying the Celtics’ cultural resurgence.
The following offseason, however, marked a turning point. In a blockbuster trade, the Celtics sent Thomas to Cleveland for Kyrie Irving, a move that stunned fans but set the stage for the future. Enter Jayson Tatum, selected third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum, a versatile forward with a polished offensive game, quickly emerged as a cornerstone. In his rookie season, he averaged 13.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, stepping up in the 2018 playoffs to lead a depleted Celtics squad back to the Eastern Conference Finals. His iconic dunk over LeBron James signaled the arrival of a new star.
Tatum’s ascent built on the foundation Thomas laid. While IT’s scoring and charisma made Boston relevant again, Tatum’s two-way brilliance and playoff heroics—culminating in the 2024 NBA Championship—solidified the Celtics as a dynasty in the making. Now an MVP candidate, Tatum averages 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists (2024-25 season stats), embodying the star power Thomas hinted at but couldn’t sustain due to injuries and roster changes.
The 2016-17 season remains a touchstone for Celtics fans, with Thomas’ one-man-gang efforts sparking a renaissance. “Isaiah gave us hope and swagger,” said coach Brad Stevens, now president of basketball operations. “That energy carried over to Jayson and the core we built.” Though Thomas’ time in Boston ended abruptly, his impact endures, echoed in the chants of “MVP” for Tatum and the 18th championship banner hanging in TD Garden.
As Boston navigates the 2025 offseason, with roster questions looming after losing key big men, fans on X continue to celebrate the Thomas-Tatum era. “IT started it, JT finished it,” one post read. From Thomas’ 2016-17 heroics to Tatum’s championship glory, the Celtics’ return to relevance is a story of heart, hustle, and star power—a legacy that continues to inspire.
