Kay Felder

Boston Celtics' Isaiah Thomas (4) has provided inspiration for Cleveland Cavaliers' diminutive rookie Kay Felder.

(Tony Dejak, Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The chip on his shoulder has been there for quite some time.

It was there before being overlooked coming out of high school, before still being questioned despite college numbers that put him in elite company and before sliding to pick No. 54 in this year's draft after leaving college early.

"Just because people always count the little guys out," Felder told cleveland.com. "People always want the 6-foot-5 or 6-foot-7 point guard. That's why the chip is always on my shoulder."

Felder, 5-foot-9, understands there aren't a lot of diminutive success stories in the NBA. Constantly hearing from the naysayers about the obstacles he faces can be tough. However, he's been able to draw inspiration from Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, who has helped create a roadmap to success.

"Watched his whole career and I remember him hitting a big shot in the Pac 12 Tournament," Felder said with a smile prior to Thursday's game against Boston. "He just dominated college all around and ended up leaving early. I thought about it -- yeah, I can model my game after him and put in bits and pieces from guys like Chris Paul and D-Rose (Derrick Rose) and (Russell) Westbrook and those types of guys. But Isaiah Thomas has definitely been a big inspiration. He reached out to me my last year in college and we have been connected ever since."

So what message did Thomas try to relay when the two first interacted?

"Basically said be you. Do what you do. Do what got you here," Felder said. "I'm a scorer and assist type of guy so don't let anybody change my game. That's definitely the biggest thing."

Thomas was the 60th -- and final -- pick of the 2011 NBA Draft and, like Felder, is listed at 5-foot-9, which might even be a little bit generous.

Despite early-career success, Thomas went from Sacramento to Phoenix before ending up in Boston, a place where has flourished, becoming a first-time All-Star last year and one of the premier lead guards in the Eastern Conference.

Prior to the Cavs-Celtics clash on Thursday night, LeBron James raved about the pint-sized Thomas, comparing him to former NBA guard Damon Stoudamire.

"They got a clear-cut star and that's Isaiah," James said. "The notion that they don't have a star I think is fugazi as Donnie Brasco would say. Earlier I was watching the movie. So, they're a good team for a reason and it starts with the head of the snake and that's Isaiah."

James pointed to Thomas' craftiness, ability to get into the paint at will, smooth shooting stroke and knack for commanding the opponent's attention, all things Thomas displayed during Thursday's game against Cleveland where he scored 31 points, including 17 in the second quarter.

Thomas, the seventh-leading scoring in the NBA, has scored 15 points or more in 51 straight games, which is the longest current streak, edging James by one.

"Kay could definitely learn from IT for sure," James said. "He should be looking at the way Isaiah has gotten better each and every year from when he was drafted to now. Going to Phoenix and Sac and to now. Seeing where he's gotten better over the years. He reinvented himself and playing more at a pace, but in control. Continuing to improve his jump shot. He should watch him."

Felder does. He also texts Thomas -- to catch up and pick his brain.

"I think you have to study those guys, especially when you're the same size," he said. "You're not about to watch LeBron. You can't do the things he can do. So I definitely study those guys."

It's been a tough rookie season for Felder. Unlike Thomas, Felder didn't go to a rebuilding team that had a place for him immediately.

The rookie has struggled to crack the Cavs' championship rotation, which led to him being sent to the D-League on Wednesday night.

"We don't practice a lot, so he doesn't really get a chance to get a lot of reps in practice," head coach Tyronn Lue said. "Then in a game situation, he hasn't really played a lot either. Just having the chance to go down to Canton and play, let him know he still has his game, has the confidence to go down there and play and play well. We know he can play, that's not a doubt."

Felder tallied 33 points to go with seven assists and seven rebounds in a win -- the most important aspect of that particular game, according to Felder.

Former D-League All-Star DeAndre Liggins made the trip to Canton to watch his shootaround workout mate. James kept tabs on the rookie's performance as well, giving him dap while shouting his stat line in the locker room Thursday night.

"You sometimes can get down on yourself," Felder said. "But at the same time, you know what you can do. That was a great confidence boost for me. It was kind of a wake-up call and a reminder."

If Felder had any other doubts, all he had to do was gaze across the court on Thursday night, watching as a 5-foot-9 point guard created countless issues for the Cavs' defense.

Or on other nights when Boston's not in town, Thomas will still be just a phone call or text message away.