Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas has had one of the most inspiring stories – and seasons – in the NBA this season, and Joey Badass finds a connection with the MVP candidate.

Thomas has played well all season, averaging 28.9 points per game and making clutch shots and games for the history books in the process. But he gained particular prominence in the postseason: he found out that his younger sister Chyna Thomas died in a car crash the day before his team played against the Chicago Bulls in the first round. He still balled out, including a 53-point game, and led his team to a 4-2 series victory to progress to the next round against the Washington Wizards.

Joey Badass identified with Thomas’ play through adversity: his best friend and fellow Pro Era member CAPITAL STEEZ died by suicide in December 2012 at age 19.

“With Isaiah too, I do this for people I’ve lost as well. I keep pushing for them,” Joey said during a recent visit to the REVOLT TV offices. “I don’t stop because of them, because I know they want to see me keep going. His story touched me, because I know what that feels like.”

He also respected Thomas’ career as a journeyman in the league. While many stars have the conventional path of being a high draft pick and staying with the same team, Thomas was drafted as the 60th pick in 2011 and played for the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns before arriving in Boston in 2015.

“Sometimes that’s really all it is: to get in where you fit in, to that right place that’s going to propel you to the star that you should be,” he said. Joey correctly predicted that the Celtics would win Monday night’s Game 7 against the Wizards: they closed out the Wizards with a final score of 115 – 105, and Thomas led 29 with points and 12 assists. The Celtics will face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Joey Badass just released his sophomore album All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ on April 7, 2017 through Pro Era Records and Cinematic Music Group, earning props from the REVOLT TV team and other music critics. After performing at the Rolling Loud music festival in early May, he visited the REVOLT TV offices this week.

Joey Badass expresses himself “For My People” at Rolling Loud