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Cam Thomas’ return to the court took two months — and too long.
The Nets’ young guard finally made his comeback Friday night, after an absence that lasted 57 days but felt even longer.
“Totally. I’ve never been out this much ever, so it’s definitely an adjustment,” Thomas said shortly before tipoff of Friday’s 121-102 loss to the Trail Blazers at Barclays Center. “But I’m just glad to be back; ready to get on the court and play again. So, it feels good.”
Friday marked Thomas’ first action since Jan. 2, sidelined by a strained hamstring. He went right back into the starting lineup and shared team-high scoring honors with 16 points in just 21:18, albeit shooting just 7-for-17 and 0-for-4 from deep.
“Decent first game back,” Thomas said.
“Obviously, missed some shots I normally make when I’m in rhythm and playing, but it’s just the nature of being on for a while and coming back and playing first game. So shots, not really worried about that; that’s going to come. But it feels good to finally finish a game and have no pain. So that’s the main thing I’m pleased with. So just got to keep building and keep going.”
Thomas had played Jan. 2 at Milwaukee and two games earlier in Orlando. But the problem ran deeper and had lingered longer than that.
The young guard had only appeared twice since first hurting his hamstring on Nov. 25, coming off the floor during a win at Golden State. His abbreviated comeback taught him the virtue and value of patience.
“Just doing everything more diligently, and taking more time, and being patient with it, not rushing. So that’s probably the main thing. But everything is about the same. Just being more diligent with it, so it doesn’t happen again. So it’s good,” said Thomas, adding it wasn’t so much a case of adding to his training regimen but following it to the letter and not getting ahead of himself.
“No, just same old, same old. I’m not going to overthink, overdo anything. Just do what I’ve been doing. But it was just more so just being more patient with it during the rehab. The rehab was the most important thing. But now it’s all good. I’m fine.”
Thomas was cleared for full five-on-five practice last week, and made his return against Portland.
“He got up 17 shots in 21 minutes. He got open; that’s what he does,” coach Jordi Fernández said. “He still needs to keep playing to get his conditioning and get more minutes. He’s going to keep working.”
Thomas had played just 19 games this season, and topped 30 points six times. The whole rest of the roster had seven 30-point outings.
“Just getting excited to be on the court to be with his teammates, and play the game of basketball. That’s what he really enjoys doing,” Fernández said. “He can be himself on the court. And it’s been great.
“CT has been part of the group, he’s used his voice to help the guys. And this has also been good to have him around and be around his teammates in a different way. He’s been helping us. So that’s been amazing. And now, he has a chance to be back on the court and do what he does best.”
What Thomas, a pending restricted free agent, does best is get buckets.
The off guard is the Nets’ leading scorer, averaging 24.3 points. He’s also worked to meet Fernández’s challenge to improve his play-making and defense, combined with own natural gravity that will help their struggling attack.
“It creates attention. He’s a weapon, and he’s capable of scoring in bunches,” Fernández said. “And even if they double team him, then — with the proper spacing — you can get a good shot. So the games he’s played, he’s made the difference; and that’s what we expect from him.
“We also need him to be a playmaker, to be a defender. So, have a complete game. And he’s been working hard, and we’re going to push him not just to do what’s easier for him is, to get better, get 1 percent better and make him a better player and also makes us a better team.”
