LAS VEGAS — Cam Thomas, known for his confidence on the court, has always been comfortable playing, starting, and scoring. However, building a strong rapport with coach Jacque Vaughn required some effort.
Fortunately, that effort is paying off.
In the Nets’ preseason opener against the Lakers, Thomas was given a rare start and delivered an impressive performance, scoring a team-high 26 points in a close 129-126 loss.
“I’m feeling more comfortable with the coach,” Thomas stated. “In terms of playing, I’ve always felt comfortable. It’s just a matter of understanding what the coach expects. Since he took over as our coach, I’ve been trying to figure everything out.
“Having a full training camp and knowing his expectations has really helped me a lot. It has also guided me in terms of what I need to work on this summer. So, in terms of playing, I’ve always been comfortable. It’s just about getting the opportunity to play.”
Despite being only 21 years old, Thomas has only started six times in his first two seasons.
However, due to Cam Johnson’s hamstring injury and his impressive performance during training camp, Thomas earned a chance to start on Monday.
“He can flat out score the basketball,” Vaughn acknowledged. “But I also look at other aspects of his game, and he knows that. Did he box out? Was he running hard? Did he communicate with his teammates? Did he understand his positioning on the floor? He has made significant progress in these areas, and he deserves credit for it. And with credit comes playing time.”
Thomas proceeded to score 17 points during a 27-13 run for the Nets at the start of the third quarter.
With three consecutive 3-pointers, Thomas helped the Nets tie the game at 82-all, 85-all, and finally 88-all with 5:23 left in the third quarter.
However, it is Thomas’ growth in terms of team play that stands out.
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