Cam Thomas is going to score. That's what he did every time he was given playing time in his first three seasons with the Nets.
But first-year coach Jordi Fernandez has told Thomas throughout training camp that he is not a free-spirited volume shooter, but rather an efficient player who can effortlessly get his buckets within the range of the attack. I'm trying to instill in them the importance of things.
Thomas averaged 14.5 points on 55.5 percent shooting from the floor and 50.0 percent (4-of-8) from 3-point range in just 20.5 minutes per game, leading the way in his early performance through two preseason games. The results were encouraging.
“I mean, I just reached my destination. There's not much difference [that] I’m doing it,” Thomas said after scoring a team-high 17 points in a 39-point win against Washington on Monday. “Aside from going out and running more and taking a lot more easy shots, I just play a little bit off the ball and catch and shoot as I’m given.
“Of course, at some point I'll be able to create and run a lot of one-on-one games, because sometimes that's what the game calls for. But right now I'm just going to be able to create and run a lot of one-on-one games. I’m just trying to play inside and find my spot.”
Thomas, 23, was drafted 27th overall by LSU in 2021 and was the Nets' leading scorer (22.5 points) in 66 games last season, but was traded for Mikal Bridges (19.6 points). This could potentially increase that number even further. Knicks during the summer.
Thomas has room to improve with a career mark of 34.4 percent from long range, including 36.4 percent from 3-point range in 2023-24.
Still, Fernandes hopes the 6-foot-3 winger becomes a more complete player on both flanks.
He likes what he's seen so far in the preseason entering Wednesday's road game against the 76ers.
“I like his ball pressure. He picked up, passed the ball around and engaged,” Fernandez said of Thomas after Monday's win. “And CT isn't just taking shots right now. … If you do the math, if he was playing more minutes, he'd be right at the average. But you also have to be efficient, work defensively, communicate, work hard and be physical.
“So I'm very happy for him. We've got to keep finding ways to help him more. But so far, the way he's tried these things (openly), he has rebounded, 5 rebounds [Monday night]. CT has been playing very well so far, so I expect them to do very well for the remainder of the preseason and the remaining 82 games. ”
With big men Nick Claxton and Dayron Sharp plagued by preseason injuries, Fernandes has started two point guards, Dennis Schroder and 6-10 former All-Star Ben Simmons, in the lineup. A starting lineup with a number of players was adopted.
The latter sometimes guards opposing centers, but Thomas likes the ball-handling dynamic the alignment provides.
“It's definitely a good lineup that we can use,” Thomas said. “Obviously it helps to have two players who can play-make shooters, and we feel like we really benefit from this lineup.
“I think if either of us can get rebounds, we can bring it in and get it into a good set. So I think just having that is good for us, so we just have to keep working.” No need.”
