Celtics PG Isaiah Thomas expresses interest in meeting Patriots QB Tom Brady

— -- WALTHAM, Mass. -- Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas on Tuesday expressed a desire to meet New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to pick the four-time Super Bowl champion's brain about winning, game preparation and leadership.

"It would just probably be like sitting down with Kobe [Bryant]," said Thomas, who has raved about a private one-on-one interaction with the retiring Los Angeles Lakers guard that occurred during Bryant's final visit to TD Garden in December.

"I got the chance to talk to Kobe. I'm real good friends with Floyd Mayweather, so I get to pick guys-like-that's brains. I just would like to sit down and actually meet [Brady] and also just pick his brain about winning championships and how he goes about his day, how he prepares. I like his preparation to everything. I like to pick guys' brains, especially the best in the business, best in their field, and see what he has to say to me. Hopefully I can make it happen."

Thomas, an unabashed Denver Broncos fan, laughed when asked if he would reveal to Brady that he supports one of New England's rivals.

"He shouldn't be mad at that. I didn't grow up here," said Thomas, a Tacoma, Washington, native. "It's not like I grew up here and I'm not a Patriots fan. But I'm a fan of his. I like how he carries himself. He carries himself like he's the best quarterback ever."

Thomas said the idea of meeting Brady came to him during his drive to the Celtics' practice facility on Tuesday and he tweeted his desire for a sit down. He found it amusing that a pack of Celtics reporters lingered at the team's practice facility while Thomas received post-practice treatment in order to talk with him on the topic before a scheduled community appearance.

And Thomas smiled wide when it was suggested that he -- the 60th and final pick of the 2011 NBA draft -- shared similarities with Brady, who was also a late-round pick before putting together a Hall of Fame career.

"Coming into the NFL, he wasn't supposed to be a Pro Bowler, wasn't supposed to be a franchise player, wasn't supposed to win Super Bowls and be arguably the best quarterback ever," said Thomas. "And I want to be on that path. I'm not saying I'm going to be the best player ever, but ... "

Thomas was interrupted by a follow-up question before stressing that he'd like to learn from Brady's leadership abilities.

"I just want to grow," said Thomas. "Not just being a basketball player but being a leader in all aspects, all facets of the game. And why not learn from the best? Especially, I think it's better to learn from different guys in different sports in how they lead and how they get respect from their teammates.

"Like I said, I would love to pick his brain, ask him a few questions. I got to do it with Kobe. I got to do it with Floyd Mayweather, always do it with him and things like that. [Peyton] Manning's retired, so I can't do it with him. So I'd love to do it with Brady."