It's safe to say Cam Thomas needed a big game against the Timberwolves on Thursday night.
During the pregame shootaround, Thomas explained how head coach Jacque Vaughn distributes fourth-quarter time “randomly” rather than based on the performance of the first three quarters, possibly depending on the guards and coaches. He said it caused some tension between them. It is clear that it is “result-based.”
“I think it was pretty clear whether it was the beginning of the year or not. I said this group was likely to have a lot of close games,” Vaughn said before the game.
“And it worked out in a way. I might have said that in preseason as well. And then I said to the group, individually and collectively, some people start and they don't finish, and some people finish and they don't start. I also said that some people don't. That's how this group is built. And I think going back to preseason, I can say that I always said this was going to be performance-based.
He played defense when the Nets lost to the Timberwolves. Getty Images
“And it's that simple. Mikal is the only one who finished the game he started. [Bridges]. So I think that's pretty fair. My honesty with the group.Dorian [Finney-Smith], [Cam Johnson], [Thomas]Lois [O’Neale]spencer [Dinwiddie]Dennis [Smith Jr.], all were part of it. So I was pretty honest and open. That's how I operate individually and collectively as a group. ”
Thomas' answer, before Bridges' missed foul shot in a heartbreaking 96-94 loss to Minnesota, was out of frustration with the Nets losing 11 of their previous 13 games. It seems that
Four of the last five games they conceded in the fourth quarter.
But Thomas washed away any nerves during Thursday's 28 minutes, including the only time the Nets scored, scoring nine of his 25 points before he was ejected with 5:32 left and the game tied. It contained a significant portion of the quarter. 40-40.
Nick Claxton finally made the shot with 3 minutes and 24 seconds left.
Timberwolves. AP
Thomas was questionable to be replaced at this point, even though he had already committed two turnovers.
But the third-year guard shouldered a heavy load again in the fourth quarter, drawing a foul and making six free throws to help the Nets close to a shutout against the NBA's best defense.
“I think I found myself reading his books for quite some time,” Vaughn said. “And I don't like running guys for 13 minutes straight, which is often the case. Even tonight. We didn't do that with Mikal. …If you want effort on both ends of the floor, It's hard to do that in this league. “But Cam was great for us. Throw him 10 free throws, get to the line, go downhill against opponents. [Rudy] Gobert on the rim. His shooting ability will help us. So we've seen some really good signs from this group. ”
Thomas has found a different spot in the rotation last season than he did before Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, and has had strong performances over the last four games despite the Nets' continued struggles.
In these games, he averaged 23 points in just 27.4 minutes per game and shot an incredible 55.7 percent from the field.
The new role seems to have given him the confidence to take more shots.
He more than doubled his shooting average from last season, going from eight attempts per game in 2022-23 to 17 this year.
He's also made more 3-pointers this year, averaging 5.4 per game compared to 2.3 last season.
However, his 3-point percentage dropped from 38.3 percent last year to 34.4 percent.
The Nets have lost for the fifth time in their last six games and are without a win, so they will need to maintain Thomas' performance and improve his outside shot.
“He can score goals by will,” Bridges said. “He just keeps going, and we needed that.”
