If over the last nine Nets matches, Cam Thomas runs at 26.3 points, he also averages 4.1 assists. Not a striking statistic but which is still significant for the back, often considered as an offensive “black hole” more accustomed to stringing together baskets than delivering offerings.
And just as he doubled his playing time and points this season compared to last year, his passes followed the same path. This is where we must find the explanation for this trend.
“I moved up a notch in passing because I play more. When we play little, when we come in for short periods, let's be serious, we want to score. Nobody wants to pass, we all want to make baskets,” he smiles. “So probably as I play more, I have more opportunities to find my teammates. The last two years, I played one match and then not the next five. There, I play regularly, and I know it. »
The force of habit
The minutes spent on the floor allowed Cam Thomas to acquire a better reading of the game. He says, repeated situations game after game help to find solutions. “He does a great job of mapping the terrain. So, when he is the victim of a two-handed hold, he lets go of the ball and that proves that he has progressed.”underlines his coach Kevin Ollie, who does not hesitate to put him in the position of playmaker.
“I often talk to him about reading the game, recognizing patterns. He has to understand how the guys play. It's five-on-five and you have to see it. He is much better and more comfortable,” believes Brooklyn’s interim coach. “I make him play leader sometimes and I love him like that: he involves everyone. He makes the right reads and it's a question of game intelligence, we need that. »
Consequently, this gives matches like the one against the Wizards, with 38 points and 7 assists, including three for Nic Claxton always on the same action, repeated several times, in the first period.
“I just try to read the game, take what the defense gives me. Teams are putting emphasis on me this year, so I have to learn to attack defenses differently,” he explains. “It’s wonderful to see it evolve and everyone benefits from it. He will continue and we will follow him,” concludes Nic Claxton.
| 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 | 57 | 31 | 44.4 | 35.7 | 84.9 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 21.8 |
| Total | 181 | 21 | 44.1 | 33.9 | 85.1 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 13.3 | |
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.
