Cam Thomas had a promising rookie season in 2021-22, however his taking part in time evaporated when the Nets added Seth Curry after which Goran Dragic.
If Thomas discovered minutes exhausting to come back by down the stretch final season, he’s going to be going through an much more uphill climb to start out his sophomore marketing campaign.
“We’ll see the way it goes after coaching camp. However he clearly is on a veteran crew with numerous guys who can play, have had numerous success,” Nets coach Steve Nash admitted. “We all know Cam’s proficient, and simply attempting to proceed to develop him and see if he can preserve pushing and getting higher at sure issues that’ll assist him get minutes.
“I stated whether or not he performs or he doesn’t play, he has to remain optimistic, he has to maintain the assumption that this course of goes to assist him. So, as final yr we noticed he performed stretches of the season and carried a big load at sure instances throughout the yr after which different instances he doesn’t play, that’s very legitimate and attainable this yr. Whether or not he earns a ton of minutes or doesn’t, we nonetheless consider in Cam. He’s a really proficient younger basketball participant that we need to develop.”
Thomas was one in all solely two Nets to play each recreation from Jan. 7 via Feb. 26, pouring in 13.6 factors in 24.4 minutes per recreation. However after Dragic made his debut on Feb. 24, Thomas mustered simply 5 factors in 11.5 minutes and sat out 4 video games over the ultimate 22.
Now, the Nets not solely have Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons from the beginning of camp, however in addition they have Curry, Royce O’Neale and Joe Harris, who missed most of final season with an damage to his left ankle damage that wanted two surgical procedures.
“There’s most likely extra competitors this yr with Kyrie taking part in each evening, Joe Harris again, Ben being a flexible participant. That’s earlier than we get to Royce, Seth, Patty [Mills]. So numerous competitors with the guard spot,” Nash stated. “That’s why it’s actually essential for Cam to proceed to consider, proceed to work, not take any days off.
“Hopefully for his profession he earns minutes, but when he doesn’t, have a look at the circumstances. He’s bought numerous robust gamers with numerous expertise, numerous nice complementary gamers within the group. So, tons of competitors.”
Nic Claxton labored on tweaks to his free throw type that the Nets gave him over the summer time. In Simmons’ case, nevertheless, it’s extra about fostering confidence from the road.
“I’m not going to be discouraged if he doesn’t shoot a greater proportion than he has previously,” Nash stated. “I’m gonna encourage him to maintain going and I consider in him as a free throw shooter.”
The crew web site shared clips of observe, with O’Neale and Claxton paired with the brand new Large 3 of Irving, Simmons and Kevin Durant. O’Neale will possible be competing with Harris for the fifth beginning spot, and is seen as the higher defensive participant — one thing the Nets have put a concentrate on enhancing this offseason.
The Nets will host their sixth annual Observe within the Park on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 2.
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