Cam Thomas: ‘Trying to get into that 25 ppg range’
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Thomas promises excitement and entertainment in the coming season. Cam Thomas first made his mark at Madison Square Garden on the night of February 16, 2022. Down 18 in the fourth quarter, the Brooklyn Nets relied on the 20-year-old rookie, He scored 16 points in the fourth quarter, generating a 15-0 run for Brooklyn.
Then, out of an inbounds play, Thomas crept towards the top of the key and drilled a 29-foot three, the dagger in the biggest comeback in Nets history, ending the night with a raucous celebration.
“I knew it was one-on-one time,” said Thomas post-game.
Now, as he enters his fourth year, it’s one-on-one time again. The Nets traded Mikal Bridges for a passel of draft picks, leaving things largely in Thomas’ hands. In an interview with SLAM, out Monday, Thomas told Curtis Rowser III that he understands the responsibility ... and embraces it.
“Just knowing that and embracing it,” said when asked how he’s approached things. “Attacking it head-on. I’ve kind of been having those roles [as the leader of the team] ever since I was in high school and college. So, I’m not really worried about it. I’m just excited to get it going and to try to do it in the League. I’m not really worried about it at all; I’m just ready.”
Known as one of the hardest workers at HSS Training Center, Thomas did say he took a little more time off this summer, but he ticked off what he’s been working on since getting back in the gym.
“Just doing everything—doing it consistently,” he said. “I had the biggest jump in points from my second year to my third year. I was at 22.5 [points per game], so I think trying to get into that 25 ppg range, upping the playmaking and just trying to keep improving my all-around game. And hopefully, it leads to wins.”
Not only did Thomas have the biggest jump in scoring in the league (something he obviously takes enormous pride in) he was in heady company among the league’s scorers. Of the 32 players who averaged more than he did last season, only two are younger and both of them — Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero — were overall No. 1 picks.
However, Thomas told Rowser that he’s no longer into comparing himself with other top young scorers in the NBA. He knows he’s already there.
“I’m not focused on trying to prove myself anymore. Everybody knows I’m one of the top young scorers—top young guards—in the league now,” he told Rowser. “So, it’s really just trying to maximize my ability, see where I can take it and become the best player I can be, this year, and for years to come.”
That doesn’t mean that he’s forgotten that what he sees as the disrespect he’s felt most of his career, particularly when even after his three straight games of 40 or more points in February 2023 Jacque Vaughn diminished his achievement by noting that two of three games were losses.
“I still carry that chip on my shoulder,” he said of the doubters, specifically referencing NBA GMs who let him fall to No. 27 in the 2021 Draft, “And even with the Nets, not playing consistently my first two years. I have that in my back pocket so I can keep growing and keep improving…to show why you should have played me in my first two years.”
He was criticized early on for not focusing on other parts of his game: playmaking and defense. They improved last season, but there’s more needed, particularly on a rebuilding team where he knows that he is the man.
“Individually, I just try to stay in the moment. Whatever happens, happens. If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t. I just want to keep improving,” he said.
He also offered an assessment of the Nets in the coming season: No specific predictions in part because he says he doesn’t know what the roster will look like.
“As far as the team, the goal is to be better every day and try to win as many games as we can. Honestly, we don’t know what our team could look like going into next season. But whatever it looks like, we just want to be the best team we can be and try to put a good product on the floor for Brooklyn.”
Indeed, ESPN’s predictions for the 2024-25 season have Thomas a top five pick for Most Improved Player.
Bottom line: what should Nets expect from the player and the Nets?
“Excitement. Entertainment. [I’m] hoping everything leads to wins at the end of the day,” he told Bowser. “We’ll see. It’s different in the League. But I’m prepared, not worried at all. I’ve done it in the League, but I want to take it to another level, for sure.”
Moment of Clarity: Brooklyn Nets Guard Cam Thomas Discusses His Offseason, Staying True to Himself and Proving the Doubters Wrong - Curtis Rowser III - SLAM
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