Celtics fans burn Isaiah Thomas jerseys after trade

Isaiah Thomas wanted to be in Boston but the Celtics traded him to the Cavaliers. For some reason, a Celtics fan decided to burn Isaiah’s jersey.

Jersey burning has taken its next step toward absolute chaos. In the wake of the the Celtics-Cavaliers trade that involved swapping point guards Isaiah Thomas and Kyrie Irving — a deal that also included Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets 2018 unprotected draft pick, Celtics fans have taken to social media to show their newfound disdain for the move and for the player who led the team in scoring and would eventually be nicknamed The King in the Fourth.

Not even a full minute after ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted Irving was ecstatic about the trade to Boston, a fan replied with this video:

Though this video appears to be in tribute, burning as a means of appreciation, other fans followed suit, including this video where a fan could be hearing saying he doesn’t care about Thomas anymore.

Jersey burning is nothing new to the NBA. It was popularized in 2010 after The Decision and has since become the go-to route for fans to do voice their frustrations when their favorite player exercises his rights and leaves in free agency. Players always run the risk of losing fan support because free agency is always pigeonholed into a binary of loyalty versus disloyalty.

However, the difference between Thomas and players like LeBron or Kevin Durant — guys who left in free agency — is he was traded. Thomas was open about his loyalty to the Celtics and his desire to play there long-term. He played the day after his sister tragically died in a car accident and played after having his tooth knocked out.

Next: 5 takeaways from the Kyrie Irving – Isaiah Thomas trade

So for fans of Thomas who think jersey burning is the only solution (and the only way to go viral, for that matter), should try and take after this person, who really did a number on Irving’s soon-to-be-old Cavaliers jersey.