Top scorer in his team last year with an average of 22.5 points, Cam Thomas has a boulevard in front of him to keep this status next season. Mikal Bridges transferred to the Knicks, the guard is expected to lead offensively this team which lacks profiles like his.
The whole question is to know under what conditions the 27-year-old player, not always renowned for the quality of his shot selection (44% in career), will provide this “scoring”. The new arrival on the Nets bench, Jordi Fernandez, seems to have understood the issue well.
“ Development is the priority. For everyone, not just young people, but also veterans. Everyone has to improve, there has to be a plan. The conversations I have with Cam are: 'Can I help you be more effective as a scorer? If you look at his stats, the less he dribbles, the more efficient he is. He is at the top of the NBA. It's impressive “, let go of the coach.
The latter exaggerates a bit, but Cam Thomas is actually more skillful when he dribbles less : 48% success when he shoots without dribbling, compared to 44% after one dribble, or even 41.4% after 3 to 6 dribbles.
Generate more assists
“ His superpower is to score, and what we have to do is help him do it, but in an effective way. The same goes for his game, because he attracts so much attention that teams will try to blitz him. So how do you stand out and generate more assists? It's up to me and the rest of the staff to help him, we think he can take the next step “, projects Jordi Fernandez.
And reach the symbolic bar of 25 points on average, as his player has set himself? What about the impact of this “scoring” on the number of Nets victories? The questions are being asked as the 22-year-old is eligible for a contract extension, as are Day'Ron Sharpe and newcomer Ziaire Williams.
The Nets have about three weeks to reach an agreement with his clan. Only according to the New York Postno discussion would have taken place. Cam Thomas would thus become a “free agent” next summer. “ It is important to always keep the door open. […] It's important that these players know that we care about them », simply comments the GM, Sean Marks.
| 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 | 66 | 31 | 44.2 | 36.4 | 85.6 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 22.5 |
| Total | 190 | 22 | 44.0 | 34.4 | 85.5 | 0.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 14.0 | |
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.
