Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges defends Cam Thomas from harsh criticism of being just a scorer

Mikal wants people to recognize Cam as a good player.

Peter Sunjic

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Mikal Bridges was a guest on The Roommates Show. In the podcast, Mikal had to defend teammate Cameron Thomas from criticism of him being only a bucket-getter and a mediocre all-around player.

Josh Hart said Thomas’ play style is “all buckets and no defense.” That was a harsh assessment of Cam because the former LSU Tiger has proven himself to be Brooklyn’s most reliable scorer who deserves more of a nuanced look.

“It helped that Cam Thomas got moved to the lineup. He’s playing well, he’s doing a good job. It’s tough, we’re helping each other,” Bridges said about Thomas’ role in the Nets lineup.

Cam deserves more respect for his impact

While Cam is not an elite defender like Mikal, he brings so much more to the table than most people think. Hart said that Thomas is all buckets, even though the 22-year-old has evolved as a playmaker.

Cam averages 2.6 assists per game this season, but the raw assist totals don’t show how he can run a pick-and-roll and get a hockey assist. The third-year shooting guard is a more complete player than people give him credit for. He deserves the respect other players are getting, leading to Mikal defending him against the criticism.

Thomas’ scoring can also counteract his defensive inefficiencies, but the system is also in place to help him. The Nets have fantastic defenders around Cam, like Dennis Smith Jr., Nic Claxton, and Mikal.

In the same episode, Jalen Brunson also said that he faces that criticism. Cam should get more credit because he’s an elite scorer and will keep improving as he matures.

Mikal works well with Cam

Mikal and Cam work well together because they complement each other. Bridges is more of a supportive player at his core, which makes the youngster stand out because he’s a skilled scorer. Since Thomas is only in his third year, he will continue to mature, and having the 27-year-old by his side helps him play better.

The Nets might not have the best record heading into the All-Star break at 21-33, but the team is improving. Mikal and Cam are meshing well, which can be a good sign as they grow under Coach Jacque Vaughn and continue on the path to a playoff spot.

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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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