3 takeaways from the first week of Brooklyn Nets basketball
![Oct 25, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Oct 25, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/6fbc012f60157ff524e23e86267493e4f1fbfa817d471ed35280cc1f29153a7b.jpg)
1: Cam Thomas is a stud
Cam Thomas’s performance in the first week of the Nets season is by far one the biggest surprises of the Nets season. The Nets entered this season expecting Mikal Bridges to lead the way, but as of right now, it’s been Cam Thomas.
In their first game against the Cavaliers, Thomas had 36 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, shooting 13-of-21 from the field and 2-of-5 from three off the bench. He had 15 of those 36 points in the first quarter.
In the Nets’ second game, Thomas was just as good as a starter, where he had 30 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block where he shot 12-of-19 from the field but a shaky 1-of-4 from three. He scored 12 of his 30 in the fourth quarter.
This really shouldn’t be a surprise because there was a three-game stretch last season where Thomas had 40 or more points. How Thomas has performed could be a massive win for the Nets for the rest of the season.
It is fair to say that he won’t average 30 points per game for the season. If Thomas can maintain the efficiency but still score 20 points per game, the Nets could make the playoffs and be above the play-in.
At the moment, the Nets only true scorer is Mikal Bridges, who has had a shaky start to the season. If Thomas can play this well when Bridges comes along, that is a very good one-two punch from the Nets.
The season is still young, so Thomas’ play can easily fall off, but he has easily been the highlight of the Nets season through the first week.