WASHINGTON — Discussing his first NBA start in more than 1½ years, Isaiah Thomas tried to play it cool at first — his face straight, his voice barely above a whisper, his words betraying no emotion or real significance whatsoever.
“Whether I start or come off the bench, I know who I am. I know I’m one of the best basketball players in the world,” he said. “So, I mean, that doesn’t affect me. I approach the game the same way.”
And that’s when he paused. A smile spread.
“But, I mean,” Thomas continued, “I am happy to be starting.