2017 NBA Playoffs: How Will Chicago Bulls guard Isaiah Thomas?

The biggest question for the Chicago Bulls as they head into the 2017 NBA Playoffs is how will they guard Boston Celtics All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas?

As the Chicago Bulls prepare for their first round match-up against the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs, the focus is on how the Bulls will guard Celtics’ guard Isaiah Thomas.

Thomas had the best season of his career with the Celtics during this past regular season. Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game while registering a player efficiency rating of 26.59.

While speaking with reporters on Friday, Bulls’ head coach Fred Hoiberg revealed there is a plan in place for how the Bulls will guard Thomas.

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"“We do have a plan in place, but obviously you have to adjust if things are going in the wrong direction,” Hoiberg said. “But we do have a plan on how we are going to try to slow him down a little bit, which is obviously difficult to do with the No. 2 scorer in the NBA this year.“We need to understand it’s a team problem, it’s not just the guy guarding him, it’s not just an individual assignment. He’s so good getting into the paint, getting downhill, splitting a ball [screen], pick-and-roll, coverage. He’s obviously a guy who can shoot it all over the floor with unlimited range, and he gets himself to the free throw line a bunch. You have to have a great awareness at all times of where he is and make sure all five guys on the floor know where he is.”"

Bulls’ guard Jimmy Butler has the sound of someone that will be a part of the team’s plan to guard Thomas.

"“I look forward to that matchup,” Butler said. “Especially what he’s done this year for that team. I know that it’s going to come at some point in time. I don’t know when — but I’m going to make it tough for him. For anybody that I’m guarding. Not just me, it’s going to be a team effort. I’m going to get beat at times, I’m going to need guys to be there. If not, then we’ll do it over and over again ’til somebody is there if I’m beat. But I look forward to that challenge. I want that.”"

There is no question that Butler is the Bulls’ best defender. With that in mind, Butler will likely guard Thomas during the deciding moments of each game.

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The larger problem that the Bulls will run into is that neither Rajon Rondo nor Dwyane Wade is particularly strong on defense. Meaning, Thomas will have the advantage when he is matched up with one of those two. The goal for the Bulls is to not let Thomas control the game. Great players like Thomas are going to find ways to get their points but they can be contained. From the sound of it, Jimmy Butler will be the one responsible for containing Thomas.

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