Cam Thomas’ Relationship With ‘Big Brother’ Kyrie Irving
Cam Thomas #CamThomas
The Brooklyn Nets’ ascending guard Cam Thomas spoke about what he learned from former All-Star teammate Kyrie Irving.
After dealing disgruntled All-Star starter Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday afternoon, the question of how the Brooklyn Nets would replace his high-volume scoring production was left in question.
While that is certainly a working progress, enter second-year guard Cam Thomas, who is making a case to be deserving of a bigger role.
Since Irving’s trade demand was made public, he’s been showcasing scoring heaters on the hardwood. His high-volume scoring, mixed with the ability to buy a bucket, has already given fans quick shades of their old superstar guard.
Coming off an electric 44-point performance, powering Brooklyn’s 23-point comeback over the Washington Wizards on Saturday, the 21-year-old was ready to take his scoring punch to the next level.
Thomas poured in a career-high 47 points (15-of-29 shooting from the field, career-high 7-of-11 from 3-Point territory). Although some poor decisions down the stretch coughed up another home win, it brought the fun back to the team in wake of Irving’s sudden departure.
“I think it just reinforces our belief in him and overall his belief in his own game to be able to showcase it and to answer when we needed it most,” said head coach Jacque Vaughn postgame. “We needed his scoring and his ability to playmake and he provided for us definitely these last two games.”
There is no secret the second-year guard serves as a sponge around Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. All three players have shared sentiments, jokes, and everything in between about each other since Thomas was drafted by the Nets in the 2021 NBA Draft.
After his career night, Thomas reflected on what he learned most from Irving, who he referred to as a ‘big brother.’ During his postgame media availability, he also mentioned that Irving’s trade request ‘stunned’ him.
“Everything really,” Thomas said. “That’s my guy we talked about it a lot. We talked about Kobe. Just life in general man. That’s really the main thing that I will miss from Kai is me having that big brother on the team to laugh with, joke with and make fun with. He’s my big brother. Even though K [Kevin Durant] is my big brother for real, me and Kai made more jokes together. I can joke around with Kai.”
Although Thomas is a Kobe fan, he joined another NBA great in a very exclusive category on Monday night. The guard, who was wearing a Kobe shirt postgame, became the second-youngest player to ever record 44+ points in consecutive games. The other is Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who is on the verge of becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“For real? For real? That’s great company to have my name mentioned with that guy, though I’m a Kobe guy. If you said Kobe, I’d be more…no I’m kidding. It’s great company,” Thomas said postgame. “He’s about to break the all-time scoring record in two games or one game. I’m just glad to have my name mentioned with him this young.”
Thomas, who is averaging 8.4 points in 14.5 minutes per game, will certainly be seeing an increase in his role. But that won’t be a starting spot.
“I have some new school and old school in me. Hopefully, I’m able to use it at the right time,” said Vaughn on utilizing Thomas more. “I think for young guys to go through something so they can get to the other side. There’s something to that. There’s something to not playing and putting in the work and doing it when you don’t get your results at your timing and Cam has shown himself.
“He joked the other day that he’s the all-time leading scorer in our stay-ready group so he put in a lot of work and he’s getting rewarded for it. And maybe it wasn’t at the timing of others, maybe it wasn’t even at his timing. But he’s taking advantage of it and sometimes that’s just the way it works out.”
The Nets will likely have their new starting point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, along with 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith, joining the team on Tuesday night vs. the Phoenix Suns. It is unclear at this time whether both will suit up for Brooklyn.
Regardless, Thomas will continue to stay ready whenever his number is called. He is, in fact, Brooklyn’s ‘Stay Ready Group’ all-time leading scorer.
“I love to hoop man, I love to hoop, whether I stay ready. You know, obviously, I want to play in real games; who doesn’t? Can’t tell me one person who don’t wanna play in a real NBA game; it’s foolish,” Thomas said with a smile. “So really, I just try to stay in the moment, and when I do get my opportunity I try to make the most of it because I love to hoop. I don’t want to go out there and look bad, that’s just me personally. So I just want to go out there and give my best, give my all and just play hard as I can.”