Cam Thomas continues to be a restricted free agent ready for a contract from the Brooklyn Nets.
As he pursues a brand new deal, he’s coping with individuals labeling him a ball hog. Thomas even responded to distinguished NBA analyst Zach Lowe.
All through his 4 seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, Thomas has proven appreciable progress. Everybody knew he was a pure scorer from his highschool and school days.
Nevertheless, he continued to develop and have become the crew’s most dependable offensive participant within the 2024-25 season.
The time period “ball hog” is the first criticism of Thomas’ sport. The 23-year-old understandably disliked the branding, contemplating he’s an underrated playmaker.
He made positive to name out critics, together with Lowe, who labeled Thomas an empty-calorie ball hog. He fired again, and Lowe has spoken about what occurred.
Initially, Lowe assessed Thomas’ sport and the way he may assist groups. Sadly, his evaluation was about how he would wrestle as a lead star on a crew.
The Nets may at the moment profit from that includes him as a star, however the long-term position may very well be as a sixth man, which is a good evaluation.
However Thomas’ frustrations are additionally legitimate, as he may really feel unfairly undermined. He ought to use this as motivation to carry out higher and work on his sport, significantly his playmaking.
He let his frustrations get to him, as he responded to Lowe. This may be associated to how Thomas has not acquired a contract but regardless of his promising potential. After making these remarks, Lowe responded as nicely.
“I did discuss how a few of his passes are like ‘I’m in jail’ last-resort passes. What does he appear like as an off-ball participant? It was a good [assessment]. Nobody on nationwide media goes by Cam Thomas’ 100 pick-and-rolls,” Lowe stated on his podcast.
“The man can straight-up get buckets. There’s a place for him within the NBA, and in my view, it’s as a sixth or seventh man scoring burst man.
“I do assume typically he performs like a ball hog, and that’s okay as a result of he can rating and he’s on a horrible crew.”
On the subject of pure scoring, Thomas is likely one of the finest within the league. He has all of the instruments to develop into a high scorer, thanks his self-creation means.
The 23-year-old has super shot-making abilities, however that’s not one of the simplest ways to judge basketball expertise these days.
The NBA is a team-oriented league, and isolation scorers are usually not as important as they have been 20 years in the past.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards are the perfect examples of these isolation scorers. However regardless of their abilities in isolation, they’re nonetheless phenomenal teammates with their playmaking.
Thomas needs to remain in Brooklyn, however which may require a pay reduce. He has reportedly already acquired a two-year, $28 million supply, which feels disrespectful.
He is aware of he deserves more cash, however the Nets are unwilling to budge. And even when head coach Jordi Fernandez likes Thomas’ sport, the Nets’ entrance workplace will make the ultimate resolution.
