© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Ollie heaps praise on Cam Thomas' limitless talent
Cameron Thomas stood out again in the Nets’ win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The former LSU Tiger scored 29 points while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. It was one of the most well-rounded performances from the 22-year-old, further cementing his place as one of Brooklyn’s best players.
Interim head coach Kevin Ollie was pleased with how his starting shooting guard played, especially after returning from an ankle injury. It was a magnificent performance that deserves praise.
“He had seven rebounds today, five assists, so it wasn’t just his scoring, he was contributing in other ways, and that’s just great to see. I want him to keep that up,” Coach Ollie told the media after the win against Cleveland.
“We’re gonna keep challenging him in those ways. We want him to be a masterpiece on the offensive and defensive end, and he can do it.”
Coach Ollie recognizes Cam’s superstar potential
While former head coach Jacque Vaughn knew Cam’s talent, he couldn’t empower him to be at his peak performance level. Thomas was a consistent scorer for Coach Vaughn but got moved between the starting lineup and the bench too often.
That does not happen with Coach Ollie because he recognizes that Thomas should be the team’s focal point. It’s a big deal for Cam to get this kind of belief, given he couldn’t lock down his place in the starting lineup in the previous regime.
Under Ollie, Thomas is affecting other areas of the game beyond scoring. That is a sign of growth and development, which bodes well for the former LSU Tiger’s case of becoming an NBA star.
Brooklyn is keen on maximizing Thomas’ talent
Thomas profiles as a scorer since that is his most natural talent. He could get up a shot no matter how tough the defense. However, he is becoming more of a well-rounded threat due to his growth as a playmaker. Cam recognizes that defenders are looking to stop him, which means there will be an open teammate to pass to.
Apart from his offensive production, Cam is also improving as a defender. If he keeps that up, he can become a two-way player who meshes even better with an elite two-way talent like Mikal Bridges. The Nets have a good thing going with Cam, and they should keep building around him to succeed in this league.
