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Nets’ Steve Nash explains Cam Thomas’ development on offense

Cody Taylor
·4 min read
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Nets’ Steve Nash explains Cam Thomas’ development on offense

Cam Thomas made just one 3-pointer on Wednesday versus the New York Knicks but the shot proved to be the dagger to send the Brooklyn Nets to a come-from-behind victory.

Thomas finished a team-high 21 points, four rebounds and two assists to lead the Nets to a 111-106 victory over the Knicks. He scored 16 points alone in the fourth quarter as the Nets overcame a 28-point deficit, matching the largest comeback in franchise history.

The 27th pick entered the fourth quarter with just five points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field. However, he went 7-of-10 from the field in the final period, including a stepback 3-pointer with 6.8 seconds left to put the Nets up by six points.

Nets head coach Steve Nash wasn’t surprised by the shot.

We know that about Cam. We’ve seen it in summer league. We’ve seen it at times this year. He loves those moments. There is a gene in there somewhere and he has that. … He made the game-winner but he made a bunch of plays down the stretch. We went to him and a rookie carrying the load in a rivalry game like this in the Garden shows you what’s inside of Cam.

Down Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets trailed by 20 points at the end of the first quarter. By midway through the second period, the Knicks were up by 28 points. From there, the Nets managed to cut it down to 14 points at the end of the third.

Brooklyn outscored New York 38-19 in the fourth quarter for their second straight win. After struggling to start the contest, missing eight out of his first nine shots, Thomas bounced back for a big fourth quarter.

He was just glad the shot at the end went in to beat New York.

I just went to my go-to move so I’m glad it went in because I was struggling tonight. I think I went 1-for-9 to start, wasn’t getting no calls. I just had to keep playing through it so I’m glad it worked out for us.

Said LaMarcus Aldridge:

He takes tough shots all of the time. He was in a pretty good rhythm. He carried us back. I was setting screens just letting him do his thing. When he let it go, I thought it was going in.

While Thomas hit the shot to seal the victory, Nash thought he played with more control down the stretch. He has been known to be a scorer, and often tries to take over games on offense, but Nash thought he played with more balance, something that Thomas has worked on.

It is a small thing but he had an assist to (LaMarcus) down the stretch. That loosens the defense. That’s when they can’t load up on him. If they think he is never going to throw it back, they can stay two on the ball and force him into a tough, contested two. I’ve been talking to Cam about that.

I thought he made a couple of great deliveries down the stretch that just kept them honest. There is a balance to it. It isn’t just Cam getting buckets. He was measured in his approach. He was looking to get off of it if they overplayed him and I think that is a huge part of his development.

Thomas is in the midst of his best stretch of the season. With the Nets short-handed, Thomas has scored in double figures in seven straight games, averaging 21.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists on 48.7% shooting from the field in that stretch.

He has earned high praise from his teammates and coaching staff throughout the season. The team knew Thomas would need some development but it appears as though that work is starting to pay off for him and the team as a whole.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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