There was a time that Cam Thomas struggling in a shooting slump wasn’t a contributor.
But those days may be over — which is good news for the Nets.
The third-year guard shot just 7 of 23 in his second game back from an ankle injury Saturday, but still had seven rebounds and, even more auspicious, a season-high five assists to help Brooklyn rout red-hot Orlando.
That playmaking is a great sign moving forward.
“Look at the passes that he threw. He can play-make. He’s more than a scorer,” said coach Jacque Vaughn. “He’s really taken a step on the defensive end of the floor, which makes me extremely happy as a coach that he wants to defend. He’s gotten better at defending.
“As a young player … if you asked him a question about the scouting report, the plans, he’s locked-in that way. So he’s taken really a lot of steps and growth. … He can make plays for others. And he’s such a weapon because he can score the basketball that he’ll be able to draw double-teams. He’ll be able to get to the paint, get free throws for us. That young man can hoop.”
Questions about Thomas’ playmaking and defense led to inconsistent playing time last season.
Despite pouring in 134 points in a three-game span, he was still just a plus-5.
But Saturday, on a night when his shot was failing him, Thomas was a plus-10.
His gravity allowed him chances to create for others on the drive-and-kick.
“Just knowing that I was struggling a little, and then the way the defense was — they were trying to key in on me — to make plays for other guys. So I was open to do it,” said Thomas. “And then knowing the ball’s going to come around, I’m going to find my shot eventually, get some shots to go.
“And obviously just knowing that [it’s] my second game back, I’m still trying to find my rhythm a little bit, just getting that flow again. Once that gets right, I’ll be all good. But just trying to find different ways to impact the game as of right now when my rhythm is a little off.”
After a sorry effort Thursday vs. Charlotte, the coaches let the players hear about it.
And assistant Kevin Ollie gave an impassioned pregame speech Saturday that carried over in their win over Orlando.
“Yeah man, and coaches they…were pissed off about that Charlotte ‘L’ and let it be known,” said Mikal Bridges. “And coming in the next day and them just fired up ready for the next game and know that last game was unacceptable.
“So they just had us all locked in, and yeah KO was really — that’s just how he is as a coach, really forceful and he gets you motivated and gets you ready for the game. So definitely needed it.”
Read more
