TORONTO — Coaching changes have a big impact on any team. But for better or worse, there’s probably no internet figure whose role has been more upsetting and confusing than Cam Thomas.
Under head coach Jacque Vaughn, he had an uphill climb to even breaking into the rotation, let alone the starting lineup.
Now under interim coach Kevin Ollie, the 22-year-old appears to be facing a wider range of possibilities as to how his role may change.
“At the end of the day, we have to win and make the playoffs. So the front office made the decisions that we as an organization thought were best for the team,” Thomas said. “We just have to move forward and keep winning.
“What Sean realized was that [Marks] he said to me. I didn’t know either. I saw it online and thought it was a prank or something. But Sean called and let me know. It’s unfortunate, but that’s to be expected. After all, no one wants to see themselves lose their jobs. It’s hard, but that’s what it comes with. ”
That’s what comes with losing, and the Nets did it in far too many ugly ways.
The Nets have lost 23 of 31 games heading into Thursday’s game in Toronto.
“We didn’t win enough. … and [we were] We dropped some games and didn’t play as hard,” Thomas said. “It’s on both sides, coaches, players, front office, everyone. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror. So that’s what we have to do.”
Now, the Nets are getting a fresh start with Thomas’ role under scrutiny.
Thomas is averaging 21.2 points, and only two young players in the entire league are averaging more points. But after struggling to prove his defensive prowess and energy level to Vaughn, will Oley consider him a sure-fire starter and potential No. 1 scoring option, or will he consider himself back to square one? Is not it?
In fact, Thomas went on a recruiting visit to UConn, where he won the 2014 NCAA title while O’Ree was still coaching at Storrs.
“Cam did a great job of scoring the basketball…but that’s just the little thing we asked him to do: get out of himself,” O’Ree said. “We talk about always hitting for rebounds, playing better defense and understanding that you can be a masterpiece on offense and you can be a masterpiece on defense.
“It was great to see him grow in those areas. We need to push him further and do what he has to do to continue to play at this level and continue to be the best player possible. And those are questions of energy and effort that we know he can do even on a better scale.”
O’Ree talked about how Thomas gave him “the biggest hug ever” after his first practice as an interim on Tuesday night. And Thomas’ Cheshire cat smile the next afternoon could suggest confidence that his role could remain the same or even grow.
Thomas said he has not spoken to Vaughn since the shooting.
“No. I’ve been busy the last few days, so I haven’t really had a chance. I’ll definitely try to get in touch with him,” Thomas said. “It’s tough when someone loses their job. But that’s part of the NBA business. We’re not producing as an organization… but it’s tough. I’ll definitely be reaching out to him. I will try my best.”
O’Ree will have to make a decision, as the Nets are pretty clean on the injury report and newly acquired guard Dennis Schroder also needs to practice.
In many ways, Marks is similar.
“do you understand [Thomas] Involve your teammates. I can see him making the right reads and really trying to play with his teammates,” Marks said two weeks ago. “It’s exciting to see how far Cam can take his game.”
It was Marks who called Thomas about the change of government. And eventually, Marks will have to make a call to negotiate a security guard’s contract.
The Nets already had Thomas’ $4 million option for next season, but they could extend him this summer. That’s because letting him reach restricted free agency gives them a chance to be creative with the order of his contract or include him in a star deal if needed.
It’s hard to gauge his value league-wide. Just as it’s hard to predict how his role will play out for the remainder of this season.
