For some reason, Isiah Thomas nearly went down a different path this morning after shoot-around.

He was back to providing lengthy explanations when questions were raised about some of the situations we’ve been questioning over the last week, stuff like winning vs. evaluating. There was even a rambling speech about standing fast in the face of constant speculation.

Think Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

“Anytime you’re losing like this and you’re having as tough a year as I’ve had personally and professionally, it’s definitely tough,” Thomas said. “However, you persevere, you overcome, you gain strength, you move on, you knuckle under and you continue fighting. You get your tail kicked and you get back up. My strength and my resolve, if anything, I definitely know that I’m tough enough to take it now. I still feel strong and ready to go out and compete, but I guess there comes a time when you always have to get tested, and the only way you get tested is to really get knocked down. We definitely got knocked down, and I’m strong enough to get back up. If there’s one thing you can be sure of, I’ll never quit and I’ll keep coming back.”

So they’ll have to show you the door?

“You gotta kill me because I’m never stopping,” Thomas added.

And then when he was asked whether he’s learned anything new over the last few days that could affect his tenure, it sounded like Thomas wanted to share.

“I … you know … let me try to say this … well … I guess I can’t say it any different than I’ve been saying it,” Thomas said. “I don’t talk about my job status and that’s something that when you lose, that type of speculation is always there. That’s why I don’t intend to stay in this position in terms of losing.”

Who knows? Maybe it’s all an act, but it’s a good one, I’ll give him that.