The rating has at all times been Cam Thomas’ superpower. This season, nevertheless, the Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez wished to see the fourth yr guard evolve as a playmaker.
The 23 -year -old has taken up Fernandez’s problem, with a median of three.4 profession assists this season, however he clearly nonetheless has means to maximise his potential on this regard.
For the context, Shai Gilgeous -Alexander, Damian Lillard and Jalen Brunson – three of the most effective recreation guards – on common 6.2, 7.2 and seven.4 assist one evening, respectively. All three are stars. All three have mastered the artwork of manipulating the defenses in line with the eye that their rating necessities. And that is the extent that Thomas ought to aspire to achieve.
“It’s a weapon. Everybody have to be cautious, ”stated Fernandez.
For the protection of Thomas, it’s tough to develop while you can’t keep within the area. It has been restricted to solely 22 video games this season as a result of accidents to hamstrings, however has proven a continuing enchancment as a wholesome distributor. He harvested a minimum of six assists in 4 appearances between November 4 and January 2, together with a efficiency of seven seven -season assistants towards Philadelphia on November 22.
“I’ve been [finding my teammates]. They simply do it, “stated Thomas after 121-119 Thursday’s defeat towards Golden State. “That is how the assists are. If I ship it to them, they should do it they usually do it. So it goes to the help statistics sheet. However I did the identical factor and I performed the identical means all yr spherical. In order that they solely take images they usually go like my help. »»
Throughout his final two appearances towards San Antonio and Golden State, Thomas recorded six and 7 assists, respectively, whereas making a median of 23.5 factors out of 43.2 / 31.6 / 90 is split – whereas sharing minutes within the rear space with D’Angelo Russell. He returned the ball twice over this period.
“What I actually favored in his match this night is the six assists with a turnover,” stated Fernandez after the defeat of Brooklyn 127-113 towards San Antonio on Tuesday. “He had extra potential assist, assists, that is how we respect it, not solely the assists, however the potentials. I’m nearly positive that if it goes nearly 10 or greater than 10 is superb, that is the CT that we need to see. »»
Nic Claxton additionally appears to be put as a playmaker. The Veteran Heart completed with a profession summit of 10 assists throughout Thursday’s defeat, together with solely 5 within the first quarter.
“Large Time,” stated Thomas. “Simply to have the ability to have it on the high of the creation of key video games, it makes it simpler for us to make the cuts, brings us extra rapidly within the actions. If he makes video games like that, he makes us actually tough to maintain. It makes it simpler. Most guys, as they did, tried to ship two, he’s broad open. I believe he was growing his creation of video games, he actually helps us as a unit. He actually wants him to do extra. It was nice to see.
