Cam Thomas, 22, thoroughly outplayed first-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, 23, in the Nets’ 136-121 defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. He finished with 40 points on 14-of-26 shooting in his fourth straight start, including 21 points in a decisive third quarter.
Maxey boasts higher points, rebounds and assists averages this season, but his overall shooting percentages are very close to Thomas’. And when it comes to his recent Eastern Conference All-Star nod, he also has the benefit of a consistent role on a 30-18 team while Thomas’ role has fluctuated dramatically over the course of Brooklyn’s 20-28 start.
However, Thomas did not use Maxey’s success — and his own lack of national recognition — as motivation on Saturday. He was simply playing his game, doing what he needed to do to help the Nets escape Wells Fargo Center with a win.
Thomas’ early years in the NBA have not been as smooth as Maxey’s. But every player’s path to stardom in the league is different. His journey just requires a little more patience.
“Hopefully my time will come, but I don’t really get into stuff like that, I don’t really care,” Thomas said. “I just want to keep playing the right way, getting wins for my team… So congratulations to [Tyrese]. He’s a year or two older than me, so congratulations to him making the All-Star game. I’ve known him for a little minute during AAU, the camps and stuff. So it’s good to see him getting what he deserves. But for me, I just want to keep playing and winning for the team.”
Thomas is in the midst of one of the best offensive stretches of his career, averaging 30.4 points while shooting 53.7% from the field, 46.7% from 3-point range and 90% from the free throw line. 50/40/90. He is also averaging 0.75 points per minutes played, which is tied for 11th in the NBA and becomes even more impressive when considering he does not have a sustained role.
“He’s a magician when it comes to putting the ball in the hoop,” Lonnie Walker IV said. “It’s like he puts a magnet in the ball every time he shoots the ball. So he’s just a great player. He’s young, so it’s beautiful to see because the sky’s the limit for this kid.”
The Nets are 13-11 when Thomas starts this season and 2-13 when he comes off the bench.
“I think this is only honestly the beginning with more reps, more time,” said Mikal Bridges, who has averaged 25.6 points per game over his last seven appearances. “But it’s been good. I think him just being out there in our starting lineup makes it easier, too. We kind of got two guys and they have to worry about it. It makes it easier for our offense, too.”
Despite Thomas’ stellar play in recent games, there is still no indication whether he will remain in the Nets’ starting lineup when the team is healthy. Thursday’s trade deadline could shake up Brooklyn’s roster in unexpected ways as well.
Head coach Jacque Vaughn was noncommittal when asked about it on Saturday night.
“I’m not sure what our starting unit will be going forward,” Vaughn said. “But I think right now this group has put us in position to win games. And I’ll always consider that as far as being the best option for our team… So I’ll always diagnose and see what’s best for our team going forward.”
Those within the Nets organization know what kind of player Thomas is. But his path to true stardom in the NBA starts with a consistent role. The decision to leave him in Brooklyn’s starting lineup should be a no-brainer at this point. His impact on the game is evident. His growth cannot be ignored.
“You’re seeing it at all levels now,” Vaughn said. “Whether it’s the ability for us to run a simple pick-and-roll and he makes the right decision. He’s just doing it over and over again. The game is really revealing itself to him, whether he’s going to take a shot, whether he’s going to produce something for a teammate, whether that’s going to be to a big at the rim or to a small in the corner. So I really think the way he’s seeing the game is really impressive. And then the effort that he’s given on the defensive end of the floor.”
