2 key takeaways from Cam Thomas’s hot start to the season

If you’ve been paying any attention to the start of the 2023-24 season at all, chances are you’ve come across Cam Thomas. Thomas is averaging 26.9 points through the first seven games of Brooklyn’s season, the 11th most in the association.

The third-year guard out of LSU is a top-three candidate for the Most Improved Player award and is showing no signs of slowing down his scoring, hanging a season-high 45 points over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night. For context, in his first two seasons as a pro, Thomas averaged 8.5 points in year one and 10.6 points in year two. That’s an increase of 13.3 points, more than doubling his production. No doubt, Cam Thomas is a certified bucket-getter.

There’s a lot to unpack when you analyze Thomas’ game

Thomas has had an absurd start in the scoring department, but when looking at the MVP ladder, he’s nowhere to be found. Tyrese Maxey, a player who finds himself both on the MIP and MVP ladders, is averaging fewer points than Thomas, yet getting more recognition. Why is that?

Let’s explore.