Cam Thomas, a rising guard for the Brooklyn Nets, didn’t play a lot of minutes last season because of his inexperience and the depth the team had on the perimeter. However, the LSU product scored record numbers of points when given the chance, such as in February of last year. Thomas became the youngest player to score at least 40 points in three straight games during a scorching period from February 4 to February 7.
He started his assault against the Washington Wizards with a 44-point outburst before going off against the Los Angeles Clippers for 47 points. Then he scored 43 points in a row against the Phoenix Suns. Thomas then faced the Chicago Bulls in an effort to continue his record-breaking scoring streak. The Bulls’ defense, however, had other ideas.
A difficult shooting night
“I feel like the Bulls played good defense on me,” said Cam
Thomas’ legendary scoring streak was ended in that contest. Thomas only converted three of his 16 field goal tries, but he still managed to score 20 points as the Nets defeated the Warriors 116-105.
He caused the most damage at the free-throw line, making all 13 of his tries.
The Bulls were able to contain Thomas in a way that few defenses were able to do thanks to All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso pursuing him and young forward Patrick Williams offering equally fierce resistance.
“When I had three 40-point games, that fourth game, I only had 20. I was struggling a bit, I feel like they played good defense on me that game. Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso, they played pretty solid defense on me that game, so it is what it is,”
Superior defense
Despite having three All-Stars in their starting five, the Bulls’ offence did not perform up to expectations, but their defense was quietly among the best in the league in 2022–2023. Chicago’s defensive rating of 111.5 placed them fifth overall. The Bulls’ late-season surge that got them into the NBA Play-in Tournament and within one game of making the postseason was made possible by that kind of smothering defense.