Cam Thomas isn’t the same player he was when he entered the NBA. He isn’t even the same as when he came into this season.
The name is the same. But the game? That’s grown exponentially.
And that growth as a playmaker — seeing the value in plays other than isolation clear-outs for himself — is going to change the look of the Nets’ offense.
It may even impact their long-term plans, even if he tries to downplay it.
“I’d say I’ve grown as a passer because I’m playing more. If anybody doesn’t really play much, then they get in for a few spurts — I mean, let’s be real — nobody’s looking to pass when they first get in, they’re looking to get some buckets,” Thomas said jokingly. “So I’d probably say really just me playing more and knowing I have more opportunity to find the guys.
“Instead of like the first two years, I’d probably play a game, then don’t play for the next five, then play again. This year, just getting the reps, playing, reading different coverages teams are throwing at me. Just reading it in that aspect, and just knowing that I’m gonna be playing, honestly.”
Thomas has always been a proverbial walking bucket, and is coming into Friday’s tilt against visiting Chicago fresh off a team-high 38-point performance in Wednesday’s 122-119 win in Washington.
But more auspicious were Thomas’ seven assists — six in the first half — from lobs for Nic Claxton to cross-court looks to find Mikal Bridges in the corner.
“CT did a great job court mapping. Then when he started getting doubled, he was getting off the ball. That just shows growth in him,” interim coach Kevin Ollie said.
Thomas has gone from a single-minded shooter to an occasional passer to now a secondary playmaker who Ollie can even trust running the point on occasion.
“I keep talking about court mapping and pattern recognition. You’ve got to understand how guys are playing you. It’s a five-on-five game, and you’ve got to see that. He’s just doing a better job at it and getting comfortable,” Ollie said. “I’m playing him at the point some, and I love him at the point: He gets everybody involved. He’s doing a great job to just give us another added dimension out there.
“He’s finding the backside on all our plays and coming off and making the right reads. That’s pattern recognition. That’s basketball IQ, and that’s what you need. You can manipulate the game or exploit the game where it’s different matchups you can bring in. He’s controlling that and doing a great job. And his teammates know it; his teammates are saying, ‘CT bring it up and control the game for us.’ ”
It’s a far cry from his first two seasons, when he averaged just over an assist a game and only topped four twice in the two years combined.
Thomas has already done so 11 times this year, including five in the last ten games during which he’s averaged 25.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 dimes.
“I’m really just reading the game, just taking what the defense gave me. That’s been an emphasis for me this year since teams are keying in on me more, so I’ve got to learn how to attack the NBA defense differently,” Thomas said.
“It’s been beautiful watching him grow and everybody is reaping the benefits,” Claxton said. “He’s got to keep going and we’re gonna follow him.”
Will Thomas be a long-term leader in Brooklyn? He’s headed into the last $4 million year of his rookie deal next season. The Nets must decide whether to enter extension talks or let the market determine his value in restricted free agency.
Is Thomas — who hasn’t drawn tons of interest league wide — becoming a more viable chip to dangle for a star? Or a centerpiece alongside Bridges?
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell has been the Nets’ perceived favorite target, but Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is confident of locking him into a long-term extension this summer, he told the AP. It’s a situation that bears watching this offseason, and beyond.
Noah Clowney (back contusion) and Dennis Smith Jr. (right hip synovitis) are probable Friday. Clowney took a hard fall in Wednesday’s win and Smith has missed the past two games.
Keita Bates-Diop (right tibia stress fracture), Cam Johnson (left big toe sprain), Ben Simmons (left lower back nerve impingement), Dariq Whitehead (left shin stress reaction), Jacob Gilyard, Keon Johnson and Jaylen Martin are all out.
Lonzo Ball (knee), Zaxh LaVine (foot) and Patrick Williams (foot) are out for Chicago, while Alex Caruso (Left Ankle) and Ayo Dosunmu (Upper Respiratory) are probable.
