Cam Thomas goes to attain, as a result of that’s what he’s all the time finished when given taking part in time throughout his first three seasons with the Nets.
However first-year coach Jordi Fernandez has been attempting to impress upon Thomas all through coaching camp the significance of being much less of a free-wheeling quantity shooter and extra of an environment friendly participant who nonetheless can get his buckets throughout the offense and with out forcing the motion.
The early outcomes by two preseason video games have been encouraging, as Thomas has averaged 14.5 factors whereas taking pictures 55.5 p.c from the ground and 50.0 p.c from 3-point vary (4-for-8) in simply 20.5 minutes per sport.
“I imply, I’m simply attending to my spots. There’s not likely a lot distinction [that] I’m doing,” Thomas stated after scoring a team-high 17 in Monday’s 39-point win over Washington. “Apart from getting out and working extra and getting a number of simpler photographs, I’m simply taking part in off the ball a little bit bit and simply taking pictures the catch-and-shoot photographs that I’m given.
“Clearly, sooner or later, I’m going to have the ability to create, do a number of the one-on-one sport, as a result of generally that’s what the sport requires. However proper now, I’m simply attempting to play throughout the offense and simply discover my spots.”
The 23-year-old Thomas, the No. 27 total pick of LSU in 2021, led the Nets in scoring (22.5 ppg) in 66 appearances final season, however he might elevate these numbers with Mikal Bridges (19.6 ppg) traded to the Knicks over the summer season.
Thomas has room for enchancment with a 34.4 p.c profession mark from lengthy distance, together with a 36.4 3-point taking pictures share in 2023-24.
Nonetheless, Fernandez desires the 6-foot-3 wing to turn out to be a extra full participant at each ends.
He likes what he’s seen to date within the preseason coming into Wednesday’s highway video games towards the 76ers.
“I like his ball strain. He picked up and he turned the ball and he was engaged,” Fernandez stated of Thomas after Monday’s win. “And also you see CT isn’t just attempting to take photographs proper now. … If you happen to do your math, if he would have performed extra minutes, he’s proper at his common. But in addition environment friendly, defensively engaged, speaking, try to being bodily.
“So I’m very proud of him. I’ve gotta preserve discovering methods to assist him extra. However to date, the best way he has been (open) to strive these on issues, he’s rebounded, 5 rebounds [Monday night]. CT has been superb back-to-back video games proper now, so I anticipate him to be superb for the remainder of the preseason and for 82 extra video games.”
With large males Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe coping with preseason accidents, Fernandez has employed a smaller beginning lineup that includes two level guards, Dennis Schroder and 6-10 former All-Star Ben Simmons.
The latter has been guarding opposing facilities at occasions, however Thomas likes the ball-handling dynamic that alignment brings.
“It’s undoubtedly a great lineup that we will use,” Thomas stated. “Clearly having two guys on the market who can play-make for the shooters helps. And I really feel prefer it’s actually a great profit that now we have with that lineup.
“I really feel like both of them, whoever will get to rebound, can carry it up and get us in a great set. So I really feel like simply having that’s good for us to make use of, and we simply obtained to maintain working.”
