LeBron calls Celtics' Thomas 'a clear-cut star'

There's a prevailing notion that the Boston Celtics have good players and picks, some of which they ought to trade for a star who will put them over the top.

LeBron James, a superstar in his own right, would argue that the Celtics already have a star.

"They got a clear-cut star and that's Isaiah (Thomas)," James told Chris Fedor of cleveland.com ahead of Thursday's matchup with Boston.

"The notion that they don't have a star I think is fugazi as Donnie Brasco would say. Earlier I was watching the movie. So, they're a good team for a reason and it starts with the head of the snake and that's Isaiah."

James likened Thomas' game to that of retired NBA player Damon Stoudamire, drawing similarities between their shooting, propensity to carve up interior defenses, and overall craftiness.

IT ended up pouring in a team-high 31 points and nine assists in the Celtics' 124-118 loss. He's led the team in scoring since being sent to Beantown at the 2015 trade deadline, and earned his first All-Star nod last season.

The 5-foot-9 point guard's production has risen further in 2016-17, with him averaging a career-high 26.9 points and 6.3 assists for the third-place club. His PER of 26.1 is 11th in the NBA, just behind King James.