Inside The Nets

Mikal Bridges wants to keep playing alongside Cam Thomas in the starting lineup

Mikal has voiced his support for Cam to stay in the starting lineup.

Peter Sunjic

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Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas have gradually built their chemistry together this season. Over the past few games, the two players have scored 50+ points per game as a duo, which is a good sign for the Nets’ long-term future.

Before the Nets lost to the Warriors, Mikal showed his support for Cam to remain a starter for the foreseeable future. It is a big deal for the Nets because Coach Jacque Vaughn has been hesitant to commit to a starting lineup that includes Thomas.

“More reps, more time. It’s been good, just him being out there in that starting lineup makes it easy, too, where there are two guys that they gotta be worried about. It makes it easier for our offense, too,” Mikal said before the game against Golden State.

The Nets have a two-headed monster with Mikal and Cam

Whenever Mikal and Cam have started together, the Nets have played at their best. Coach Vaughn must take notice of this and not think about the team’s apparent defensive issues when Cam starts. That is not the issue anymore because Cam’s impact transcends those problems on defense.

Thomas is evolving from being a pure scorer because he’s also growing as a playmaker. That unselfishness goes against the stereotype around his reputation because Cam is a much better player than some critics might allude to.

Whenever Bridges and Thomas are firing on all cylinders, it’s almost impossible to defend the Nets. Having two high-level shot makers heating up puts defenders in an impossible position because they don’t know who to guard. Brooklyn can go a long way when the front office maximizes this partnership, as it’s easier to find surrounding pieces.

Thomas in the starting lineup brings more balance to the team

Starting Thomas is a good decision for Coach Vaughn, whether the 22-year-old is at point guard or shooting guard. Cam has shown he can adapt to almost any role because he’s confident in his ability to contribute in more than one way.

The former LSU Tiger has shown his playmaking chops in multiple pick-and-roll plays with Nic Claxton alongside his unstoppable isolation scoring.

With Mikal’s co-sign, the coaches must notice the chemistry between these two players. It will prove undeniable as time passes because Cam has proven himself as a superb go-to guy when needed.

The Brooklyn Nets' slow second half leads to a big loss to the Golden State Warriors

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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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