Cam Thomas is not the same player he was when he entered the NBA. He’s not the same as he was entering this season.
The name is also the same. But what about games? It has grown by leaps and bounds.
And that growth as a playmaker, finding value in himself for plays other than isolation clearouts, will change the look of the Nets’ offense.
It could even affect their long-term plans, even if he tries to downplay it.
“I would say I’ve grown as a passer by playing more. People who don’t play a lot, they come in in a few spurts. I mean, let’s be real, when you first come in At that point, nobody’s trying to pass. They’re trying to get the bucket,” Thomas said jokingly. “So I would probably say just know we’re going to play more and have more opportunities to find guys.
“Instead of playing like I did the first two years, I’ll probably go to a game, not play for the next five years, and then play again. This year, I’m going to get reps, play, and help the team. Just reading the different coverages that are going to be thrown at me. I read the book in that regard, and to be honest, I just know that I’m going to be playing.”
Thomas has always been the proverbial walking bucket and will be in doubt for Friday’s visit to Chicago after scoring a team-high 38 points in Wednesday’s 122-119 win at Washington.
But more fortunate were Thomas’ seven assists (six in the first half), from a lob to Nic Claxton to a crosscourt shot to find Mikal Bridge in the corner.
“CT did a great job mapping the court, and when the doubles started coming in, he was off the ball. That just shows his growth,” interim coach Kevin said. Olly said.
Thomas has gone from being a dedicated shooter to an occasional passer and now a secondary playmaker that O’Ree can even rely on to occasionally run the point.
“I keep talking about court mapping and pattern recognition. You have to understand how the guys are playing you. This is a five-on-five game. Look at it. He I’m just doing a better job and getting more comfortable,” Ollie said. “I’m playing him at a certain point, and I love him at that point. He gets everyone involved. He’s doing a great job of giving us a new dimension.
“He’s finding the backside on every play we have, getting out and making the right reads. That’s pattern recognition. That’s basketball IQ, that’s what you need. Manipulating the game. , being able to bring in different matchups and take advantage of the game. He controls it and does a great job. And his teammates know that. His teammates know that. “CT is going to bring it out and control the game for us.” ”
This is a far cry from his first two seasons, when he averaged just over one assist per game and finished in the top four only twice in two years combined.
Thomas has already done that 11 times this year, including five in his last 10 games, averaging 25.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 dimes.
“I’m really just reading the game and just taking what the defense gives me. That’s been important to me this year because teams are paying more attention to me, so We have to learn how to attack NBA defenses differently,” Thomas said.
“It’s been great to watch him grow and everyone has benefited from that,” Claxton said. “He’s got to keep moving forward and we’re going to keep up with him.”
Will Thomas be Brooklyn’s long-term leader? He will be entering the final $4 million of his rookie contract next season. The Nets must decide whether to enter into extension negotiations or let the market determine his value in restricted free agency.
Thomas hasn’t garnered much interest league-wide, but is he becoming a strong candidate for a star signing? Or is it the centerpiece along with the bridge?
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell is perceived as the Nets’ favorite target, but Cavs owner Dan Gilbert told The Associated Press he is confident in locking him into a long-term extension this summer. It’s a situation worth keeping an eye on this offseason and beyond.
Noah Clowney (back contusion) and Dennis Smith Jr. (right hip synovitis) are likely on Friday. Clowney took a big fall in Wednesday’s win, and Smith has missed the past two games.
Keita Bates-Diop (right tibia stress fracture), Cam Johnson (left big toe sprain), Ben Simmons (left lumbar nerve impingement), Darik Whitehead (left shin stress reaction), Jacob Gilyard, Keon Johnson, Jalen Martin is all out.
Chicago will be without Lonzo Ball (knee), Zax LaVine (foot) and Patrick Williams (foot), while Alex Caruso (left ankle) and Ayo Dosunmu (upper respiratory) could be available. expensive.
