Nets shooting guard Cam Thomas enjoyed a breakout year in what was otherwise a 2023/24 season to forget for Brooklyn and its fans. With Mikal Bridges now off to the neighboring Knicks, Thomas spoke to Curtis Rowser III of SLAM about how he’s preparing to build on his impressive run this year.
“I just want to keep working on everything,” Thomas said. “Last summer, I tried to put more emphasis on catch-and-shoot shooting, and I think I was way up in the league percentage-wise on catch-and-shoot [this past season]. So, just continue to work on that and fine-tuning the skills I had coming into the league, like my off-the-dribble stuff and finishing around the basket, [while] still improving on catch-and-shoot, trying to have the best percentage in the league.”
Last year, the 6’4″ guard posted averages of 22.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.7 swipes per game, a massive rise all-around over his 2022/23 averages of 10.6 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.4 APG and 0.4 SPG. Thomas recorded a shooting line of .442/.364/.856 and finished seventh in Most Improved Player voting.
When it comes to building out his offense, the former LSU standout revealed that he has a specific output target.
“I had the biggest jump in points from my second year to my third year,” Thomas said. “I was at 22.5 [points per game], so I think trying to get into that 25 PPG range, upping the play-making and just trying to keep improving my all-around game. And hopefully, it leads to wins.”
Their full conversation is well worth reading in full. Here are some highlights:
- Thomas appears comfortable with the prospect of assuming some of the additional scoring burden created by the departure of Bridges: “Just knowing that and embracing it. 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.”
- Thomas insisted that he is putting his blinders on when it comes to critics and doubters. “I don’t really worry about the doubters because I’ve always had them,” he said. “Nobody really believed in my talent and scoring ability—even at Oak Hill, and even in college, and even in the league. So, I’m used to it. Now, it’s really just self-motivation. Even down to sliding in the draft all the way down to pick 27 [in the 2021 draft]. I still carry that chip on my shoulder. And even with the Nets, not playing consistently my first two years.”
- When it comes to eventually earning possible All-Star or All-NBA accolades, Thomas appeared to be taking a wait-and-see approach. “Whatever happens, happens,” Thomas said. “If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t. I just want to keep improving. 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.” Brooklyn has a young, raw roster, and seems likely to be lottery-bound in 2024/25, no matter how good Thomas is.
Sounds like he had a talk with his agent about what counting stats will get him a bag when his contract is up. Not a word about team goals.
Wish he would mention defense.
Learn to play the point …..
Learn to play team D at least …..
I’d like to know what percentage of athletes have to create the me versus the world attitude In their head to motivate themselves. As an outside observer, it all starts to seem a little cliché like. Outside of athletics, I don’t think that kind of psychological motivation is used that much.
Someone on a bad team is going to score. He happens to be that player. Zero D, poor BBall IQ, doesn’t read the floor well. Just shoots. Meh. Move him for assets while you can.
Beautiful looking shot, and he can create it too. Decent handle and passer too, although not at PG level. A 2k’er favorite for sure. But he’s still worthless as W/L after 3 years. He combines being a subpar athlete for an NBA guard with a low BB IQ and a stubborn lack of effort. It’s led to teammate issues as well. BKN has the year to figure out what they can change, and what they can’t, and then whether an effort to effect the former is worth it in light of the latter. The tanking agenda, and the roster being in flux, help him. I doubt he’d still be on the team if Bridges stayed; he had no patience for him.
I am definitely a doubter! Cam Thomas plays Lou Williams/Jamal Crawford/Jordan Clarkson type of basketball in other words the opposite of winning basketball. Interesting to see if a player can change his playstyle this much into his career, not as easy as it sounds.