Isaiah Thomas' sister killed in car crash

AimingForYoko

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That's awful. I don't even know what to say...

She was younger than I am and my heart hurts for the people who loved her.
 

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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I'll be the asshole--is he heading out there?

Let me be clear, I have no problems with it if he leaves, but I'm just asking.
 

DJnVa

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Place will be wild whether he's there or not , whether he gets 50 or goes 1-15
I understand it will be a supportive crowd.

I'm just saying that it'll be even more crazy if he gets 50, or hits a late shot to get the win. It's human drama to an almost unimaginable degree.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I'll be the asshole--is he heading out there?

Let me be clear, I have no problems with it if he leaves, but I'm just asking.
Everyone handles grief differently so there is no right or wrong answer. When I was 20 my mom passed and I played in a random summer league game the next night. It was a wonderful escape from spending the prior 24 hours trying to figure out the new normal. I remember going back into that house a couple hours later dripping with sweat and seeing everyone, who btw had different views of my decision, while feeling bad that they didn't have my same escape that night. It was a major stress relief to run/sweat while giving my brain a break while doing what I loved.

Athletes can/do rely on the support of their teammates which is an extended family during difficult times even from the players that you aren't necessarily close with. Brett Favre had arguably the best game of his career the day after his father unexpectedly died. The competitor typically uses competition as an escape from the real world.......in many ways, playing in this game can do a world of good for Isaiah. He LOVES the city of Boston and in a sense every person in that arena is going to seem like family to Isaiah tonight. Aside from basketball, this alone can be very therapeutic for him.
 

joe dokes

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Everyone handles grief differently so there is no right or wrong answer. When I was 20 my mom passed and I played in a random summer league game the next night. It was a wonderful escape from spending the prior 24 hours trying to figure out the new normal. I remember going back into that house a couple hours later dripping with sweat and seeing everyone, who btw had different views of my decision, while feeling bad that they didn't have my same escape that night. It was a major stress relief to run/sweat while giving my brain a break while doing what I loved.

Athletes can/do rely on the support of their teammates which is an extended family during difficult times even from the players that you aren't necessarily close with. Brett Favre had arguably the best game of his career the day after his father unexpectedly died. The competitor typically uses competition as an escape from the real world.......in many ways, playing in this game can do a world of good for Isaiah. He LOVES the city of Boston and in a sense every person in that arena is going to seem like family to Isaiah tonight. Aside from basketball, this alone can be very therapeutic for him.
Thanks for sharing that.

I have a special type of scorn for those who comment on how others--especially people they don't know-- cope with grief.
 

johnmd20

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Thanks for sharing that.

I have a special type of scorn for those who comment on how others--especially people they don't know-- cope with grief.
I agree. It's personal for everyone. Sometimes an escape is helpful and athletes are particularly good at harnessing grief towards athletics.

My bet is IT plays the entire series and the wake is on the 19th and the funeral is on the 20th. Then he's back in Chicago either on the 20th or the morning of the 21st. I would also guess a lot of his teammates(or all of them) go to the wake or funeral, too. This is going to bond the team in a major way, although it's obviously a horrific reason for the bonding. People do what they can to cope.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I agree. It's personal for everyone. Sometimes an escape is helpful and athletes are particularly good at harnessing grief towards athletics.

My bet is IT plays the entire series and the wake is on the 19th and the funeral is on the 20th. Then he's back in Chicago either on the 20th or the morning of the 21st. I would also guess a lot of his teammates(or all of them) go to the wake or funeral, too. This is going to bond the team in a major way, although it's obviously a horrific reason for the bonding. People do what they can to cope.
I wouldn't be shocked if he plays tonight, goes straight to a charter flight after the game, and then returns in time for game 3. (Also wouldn't be shocked if he plays every game.)

HRB has it absolutely correct.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dec 22, 2002
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Way too young. Thoughts and prayers.

I think IT4 will have the fans behind him more than usual regardless of his performance but the place is already going to be close to 100% energy level so there's not much room for improvement. I think you'll notice the extra fan support more if he performs poorly than if he performs well. It's human nature. No one will blame him for having an off night.
 

bakahump

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As if we needed another reason for IT to Score 50. God I hope he is able to channel this and find some beginnings of closure.

I can only imagine how everyone in that locker room is behind him.
 

luckiestman

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Jul 15, 2005
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I just cant get past how horrible this must be for the guy. Life is such a motherfucker.
 

RetractableRoof

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Sadness that another life ended so young...

As an aside, sometimes personal things that occupy a persons mind will enable them to be on 'autopilot' during another activity and the results can be successful. I would not be surprised if IT played well, and I wouldn't be surprised if he played spectacularly well. I also wouldn't be disappointed if he was unable to play - frankly I doubt I could.

Either way, a terrible pain to carry during what ideally would be a wonderful time in his life.
 

boxosII

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I don't see how he could have anything on his mind but this catastrophe. I hope he does what's best for him.
 

CaptainLaddie

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Everyone handles grief differently so there is no right or wrong answer. When I was 20 my mom passed and I played in a random summer league game the next night. It was a wonderful escape from spending the prior 24 hours trying to figure out the new normal. I remember going back into that house a couple hours later dripping with sweat and seeing everyone, who btw had different views of my decision, while feeling bad that they didn't have my same escape that night. It was a major stress relief to run/sweat while giving my brain a break while doing what I loved.
Similar experience here: when my best friend passed away, I went and DJ'd a nightclub with some friends a night later. It was an escape, a place where I could avoid what was making me so sad for just a few hours.

I have no problem if IT sat or played. I just feel so horrible for him.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Yeah, judging how anyone handles grief is weak. If IT4 had to leave the team for this series and they ended up losing as a result I would have no less love for the guy. And ditto if he doesn't leave the team at all.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I'm surprised I haven't heard anyone mention Brian Shaw and his family tragedy when he lost his father, mother, AND sister in a car accident on the way to meet him in Las Vegas back when he was with the Heat. Like Chyna, none of the deceased were wearing seat belts (all 3 of the Shaw's were ejected from vehicle), and the lone survivor was Shaw's 11-month old niece who was secured in a child restraint seat.

Shaw won custody over child's father and raised his niece. She is now in college and in pre-med.
 

bakahump

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Never heard that story. Very sad. Thanks for pointing it out HRB.

It amazes me that there are people who still dont wear seatbelts. But I guess no more so then that there are people who still smoke.

Sincerely Baka (who drinks, still eats fastfood and is 30 lbs overweight)
Edit- We all make stupid decisions at times.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Never heard that story. Very sad. Thanks for pointing it out HRB.

It amazes me that there are people who still dont wear seatbelts. But I guess no more so then that there are people who still smoke.

Sincerely Baka (who drinks, still eats fastfood and is 30 lbs overweight)
Edit- We all make stupid decisions at times.
This really bugs me a lot. Even with smokers there's at least the positive reinforcement of the quick buzz and a chemical dependence aspect. Not wearing a seatbelt is just completely senseless.
 

the moops

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I mean, I predicted that on Sunday. It's the most obvious thing in the world.
Congrats on predicting the most obvious thing in the world :)

I think there are a fair number of players that this sort of relationship doesn not exist and teams would not travel with their temmate in the middle of a playoff series to attend a wake/funeral.
 

johnmd20

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Congrats on predicting the most obvious thing in the world :)

I think there are a fair number of players that this sort of relationship doesn not exist and teams would not travel with their temmate in the middle of a playoff series to attend a wake/funeral.
So then how was it the most obvious thing in the world? Your second paragraph directly refutes your first sentence.
 

the moops

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So then how was it the most obvious thing in the world? Your second paragraph directly refutes your first sentence.
This is not something I really care much about, so I'll let it be. I was just poking a little fun at you for your humble brag about predicting what you say is the most obvious thing in the world.
 

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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I mean, I predicted that on Sunday. It's the most obvious thing in the world.
Except that's not the plan, at least not yet.

IT flew to Washington and will rejoin the team before game 3. There are no funeral plans yet.
 

ThePrideofShiner

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Jul 16, 2005
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I'd love to hear this message:


Kevin Garnett left a voicemail for the team on trainer Ed Lacerte's voicemail. IT played it on his portable speakers to the team pregame.