Nets capturing guard Cam Thomas loved a breakout 2023/24 season, in any other case a yr to overlook for Brooklyn and its followers. With Mikal Bridges now off to the neighboring Knicks, Thomas unpacked how he’s coaching to construct on his spectacular run this yr, throughout a brand new interview with Curtis Rowser III of SLAM.
“I simply need to hold engaged on all the pieces,” Thomas stated. “Final summer time, I attempted to place extra emphasis on catch-and-shoot capturing, and I believe I used to be manner up within the league percentage-wise on catch-and-shoot [this past season]. So, simply proceed to work on that and fine-tuning the talents I had coming into the league, like my off-the-dribble stuff and ending across the basket, [while] nonetheless bettering on catch-and-shoot, attempting to have the perfect proportion within the league.”
Final yr, the 6’4″ LSU product posted averages of twenty-two.5 factors on a .442/.364/.856 slash line, 3.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.7 swipes an evening, an enormous rise all-around over his 2022/23 averages of 10.6 opoints, 1.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.4 steals an evening. He completed seventh in Most Improved Participant voting.
In relation to constructing out his offense, Thomas revealed that he has a selected output goal.
“I had the largest soar in factors from my second yr to my third yr,” Thomas stated. “I used to be at 22.5 [points per game], so I believe attempting to get into that 25 ppg vary, upping the playmaking and simply attempting to maintain bettering my all-around sport. And hopefully, it results in wins.”
Their full dialog is properly value studying in full. Listed here are some highlights:
- Thomas seemed to be snug with the prospect of assuming a few of the extra scoring burden left by the departing Bridges. “Simply understanding that and embracing it,” Thomas stated of the scoring problem. “I’ve form of been having these roles [as the leader of the team] ever since I used to be in highschool and faculty. So, I’m probably not nervous about it. I’m simply excited to get it going and to attempt to do it within the League. I’m probably not nervous about it in any respect; I’m simply prepared.”
- Thomas insisted that he’s placing his blinders on in the case of critics and doubters. “I don’t actually fear concerning the doubters as a result of I’ve at all times had them,” Thomas stated. “No one actually believed in my expertise and scoring capacity—even at Oak Hill, and even in faculty, and even within the league. So, I’m used to it. Now, it’s actually simply self-motivation. Even all the way down to sliding within the draft all the best way down to choose 27 [in the 2021 draft]. I nonetheless carry that chip on my shoulder. And even with the Nets, not taking part in constantly my first two years.”
- In relation to finally incomes attainable All-Star or All-NBA accolades, Thomas seemed to be taking a wait-and-see strategy. “No matter occurs, occurs,” Thomas stated. “If I get it, I get it. If I don’t, I don’t. I simply need to hold bettering. So far as the crew, the purpose is to be higher every single day and attempt to win as many video games as we will. Truthfully, we don’t know what our crew might appear to be going into subsequent season.” Brooklyn has a younger, uncooked roster, and appears more likely to be lottery-bound in 2024/25, regardless of how good Thomas is.
