With an average of 20.6 points in nearly 29 minutes, 44% on shots (including 36% on 3-pointers) and 81% on throws, Cam Thomas is one of the rare satisfactions of the season of Netsonly 11th in the Eastern Conference (17-24) and in free fall for a month (14 defeats in 18 games).
However, despite the doubling of his statistics between this season and the previous one, as well as the strengthening of his role in the rotation of Brooklynthe guard, barely 22 years old, has to deal with certain criticisms, aimed at his style of play in attack and his limitations in defense.
“ I have the feeling that the criteria always change when it comes to me » he regrets. “ When others write down all these points, there is nothing but praise. When I'm the one doing it, there's always criticism. 'He doesn't know how to defend, he doesn't pass the ball'…”
However, the very offensive Cam Thomas keeps a cool head and avoids focusing on all this outside noise.
“ I don't really care about it. I'm myself, I know what I'm doing, I know what I bring to the team, I stay true to myself and I don't let trolls or anything else get to me on that » thus judges the 27th choice of the 2021 Draft.
A leading attacker
Cam Thomas' attacking qualities are, in any case, beneficial and sometimes even vital for the Nets. Like against the Lakers this Friday evening, when he scored… 33 points coming off the bench (13/18 shooting!).
“ He saved us in the first half, with his ability to get open shots » rejoiced his coach, Jacque Vaughn, after Brooklyn's victory. “ When [les Lakers] started to take it in pairs, we found good shooting positions for the other players. »
A performance all the more symbolic as Cam Thomas did not achieve it against just any opponent…
“ I grew up being a die-hard Lakers and Kobe fan [Bryant], so it's always good to come here, face them and have a good match. It always means something » recognized in this regard the hero of the evening.
Cam Thomas | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2021-22 | BRK | 67 | 18 | 43.3 | 27.0 | 82.9 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 8.5 |
2022-23 | BRK | 57 | 17 | 44.1 | 38.3 | 86.8 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 10.6 |
2023-24 | BRK | 32 | 29 | 43.6 | 35.6 | 80.9 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 20.6 |
Total | 156 | 20 | 43.7 | 33.3 | 83.8 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 11.8 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.