Inside The Nets

Cam Thomas talks about how he's grown during the 2023/24 season

Cam is earning the respect of defenders around the league.

Peter Sunjic

© Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
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Cameron Thomas is just in his third year but is already cementing his reputation as a talented scorer. He could hit shots from impossible angles, as he has a natural knack for shot-making.

Coaches are adopting double teams to contain him and force him to pass. That is the ultimate sign of respect from coaches and defenders because it proves Cam is a dangerous scorer. Thomas realizes the attention he’s garnering, which has led to him making adjustments.

“Just staying true to myself and not letting anybody change me. That’s how I really try to approach the game,” Thomas said in a post-game interview after losing to Orlando. “Even now, when teams are trying to blitz me a lot on the screens, it can be frustrating because you wanna come off and get one-on-ones and open shots, but at the same time, you just gotta read the game and play through it.”

Cam continues to evolve

With every game, Thomas displays maturity and a willingness to learn. It shows that the 22-year-old is ready to embrace a superstar role for the Nets when allowed to do so. Of course, he is only in his third year, meaning his growth is still ongoing.

You can see how he’s added dimensions to his game, going from a pure bucket-getter into a dynamic offensive star with playmaking abilities. Under Coach Jacque Vaughn, Cam showed flashes of this, but with Coach Kevin Ollie, Thomas is becoming a complete star.

He has also learned how to deal with more attention on him. Cam has continued to improve because he knows teams will look to stop him and take him away from the game.

“That’s what I really got better at this year. Because we played Atlanta, and it caught me off guard, and I struggled that game a lot with the blitzing, but then you look at the film and just know where you can attack and how to read it. So it’s been good growth for me in that area,” Cam continued.

Cam will be the Nets’ torchbearer

With continued improvement and trust from the coaching staff, it’s hard not to see Cam as the Nets’ biggest star. He’s already in a starring role alongside Mikal Bridges, but he’s ready to take the reins and be at the forefront.

Cam has the right attitude to be a star, and everyone within the Nets organization sees it. With how he’s adapting to defensive schemes set up to stop him, the future is bright for Thomas and Brooklyn.

Brooklyn falls short in a significant loss to the Orlando Magic

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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