If Isaiah Thomas isn’t awake when the text lands, he’ll respond as soon as he gets up.
That’s the relationship Thomas, now with the Charlotte Hornets, and Nuggets rookie Bones Hyland have developed since the start of the season.
Months ago, at the request of Nuggets president Tim Connelly and assistant coach Charles Klask, Thomas connected with Denver’s rookie. Since then, the longtime NBA veteran has made a point of watching the Nuggets.
“He’s really special,” Thomas told The Denver Post this past week. “I love watching his game.”
Few players in the NBA have seen the business end of professional basketball like Thomas, who’s now played for 10 franchises, including the Nuggets, throughout his underdog career.