Whatever one might think about his conservative politics and anti-vax perspectives, I think we can all agree that it's sad to see a talented athlete have nearly four years of his prime wiped away by injury.
Due to a couple of injuries, the later being an ACL injury, during the bubble, Isaac only played 34 games in the 2019/20 season and then missed the 2020/21 and 2021/22 season.
He returned in 2022/23, but got a torn left adductor muscle after only playing 11 games.
As of tonight's win over Boston, Issac has played 14 games playing reserve minutes but posting a respectable 17/11 per36 with impressive 2.5 steals per36 and 3.6 blocks per36.
That means he has played more games this year than the last three seasons combined and is on pace to play more games than the last FOUR seasons combined.
It's a shame he missed so much time in the years when he really would have been coming into his own and when he seemed to be developing, but here's to hoping that his health holds up from here on out.
I remember having discussions with family and online about how I honestly think JI will takeover the NBA. He was up there for me with Giannis and KD, his defense was so gamechanging those years (still is but this is JI with more bounce more speed more sound laterally). He would completely swallow entire possessions and then run up court hit a smooth euro and get an And1. He was showing improvements from 3 back then also. I just felt it in JI, then these injuries hit, but everytime he came back his defense was always there so there was always hope. JI imo is truly back, still needs to be kept bubble wrapped but he is a difference maker for this team and to me can be a deciding force for championship contention.