Inside The Nets

Coach Ollie supports Cam Thomas' case for Most Improved Player

Cam Thomas made some waves when he said he has a case for Most Improved Player.

Peter Sunjic

© Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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Cameron Thomas is having a superb season, improving on his 2022/23 season. In 50 games for the Nets this season, Thomas averages 21.3 points per game, doubling his 10.6 ppg from his sophomore campaign.

In terms of raw numbers and a starring role, Thomas has a case for being the Most Improved Player. Cam made his case in an interview with Bleacher Report and TNT’s Chris Haynes. He is not alone with this campaign, as Brooklyn’s interim head coach, Kevin Ollie, supports his star guard.

“I definitely do. Seeing his growth, I know he’s been out with some injuries and stuff like that, but hopefully, he can continue to have this stretch in the next 17 games,” Ollie said in an interview after a practice session. 

“What he did the other day, I thought that was one of his best games. Not just his scoring, the rebounding, we watching film, he was touching guys, hitting guys, he’s not running out of the paint on the defensive side. It's been amazing to see his growth since I got here, how he’s retaining things that we want him to do.”

Cam deserves to be in the race

Doubling one’s scoring is already a good case for MIP, getting amplified by being assigned a better role. Cam has grown into a go-to scorer for the Nets alongside Mikal Bridges this season, which has done wonders for his skill set and the team’s potential success.

Thomas is already one of the brightest young talents in the league, as he’s only 22 years old, but he’s scoring at an elite level. It marks the growth of a potential superstar, and he’s ready to earn validation for his efforts with the MIP award.

The race is stacked

Thomas is not one of the favorites for the award, as Tyrese Maxey leads the pack. The Philly All-Star deserves his respect just like Coby White and Jalen Johnson, who also deserve the award.

Cam should also be part of the conversation, but he’s not getting the attention he deserves. Thankfully, he is making a case for himself, which could catch everyone’s attention. However, Cam is more focused on the Nets’ success over his own, as the team will play better with a locked-in Thomas.

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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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