East Notes: Nets, Cam Thomas, Celtics, Hornets, LaMelo Ball

Nets

Guard Cam Thomas is off to a fantastic start, averaging 26.0 points through six games, and suggested a breakout season may be in the cards.

“Yeah, it could be,” he told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. “Anytime you average 26 points a game to start the season, that’s a good thing. Last year, I was probably only averaging about 2-5 points at this same time. Then, by the end of last year, I averaged about 10 points, and now it’s 26.

“Obviously, it’s somewhat of a breakout, but I just want to keep building. It’s still early. As long as I can stay consistent, that’s the main thing, whether it’s 15, 20, or 30 points. I want to play a complete game, be consistent, and help my team out the best way I can.”

Thomas also has high hopes for the Nets, who have been competitive in the early going under coach Jacque Vaughn.

“I want us to keep getting better. I feel like we can very easily be 5-1 to start the season. Our first two games were basically one-possession games,” Thomas told Scotto. “If we got that last shot against Cleveland, and then Luka Doncic hit an amazing shot at the end of the Dallas game. Obviously, the goal is to make the playoffs and win a championship. That’s what everybody’s aspirations are. I feel like we can make the playoffs and do some damage. We have a lot of length and versatility. Our team is set up for the way that we want to play.”

• Center Nicolas Claxton has appeared in just one game after suffering a sprained ankle and is expected to continue to miss time. Per Erik Slater of Clutch Points, Claxton very well could miss at least another month. 

Celtics

Former stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have been left impressed with the Celtics’ 5-0 start to the season, as revealed on the Ticket and The Truth podcast.

“When they’re on the court, they play every possession,” Pierce said, via Justin Quinn of Celtics Wire. “They’re going for offensive rebounds, they’re (defending), they’re cutting, they’re setting screens, and they’re going for steals. They never stop playing the game — your star might go over here and wait on the ball or don’t go for the offensive rebounds. They play every part of the game you can play.”

• Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon of CLNS discussed the Celtics’ unbeaten start and how long it can last on a recent podcast, which can be viewed here.

Hornets

Point guard LaMelo Ball erupted for 23 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter against the Mavericks, but the Hornets blew a 15-point lead on the road to lose.

“Just trying to win, really. Trying to do as much as I could,” Ball told reporters of the highest-scoring quarter of his career. “Didn’t really go our way at the end.”

• Coach Steve Clifford admitted the Hornets tried, but could do nothing to slow Mavs star Luka Doncic. “We changed coverages,” Clifford said. “We really tried like four or five different things. And he just destroyed us. They had him for nine assists, but he created almost their entire offense. And we couldn’t figure out a way to stop him.”
• Charlotte next faces Washington on Wednesday — for its lone stop at home in a five-game stretch.