Milwaukee Bucks fans have quickly become acquainted with Cam Thomas, who made quite the entrance by scoring 34 points in just his second game. Just a couple of games later, he dazzled again with 27 points in only 21 minutes. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly anticipate seeing Thomas fully unleashed once his minutes restriction is lifted.
Thomas' scoring prowess has deep roots, inspired by none other than James Harden. During a chat on the Hear District podcast with Bucks commentator Marques Johnson, Thomas shared how he modeled his game after Harden during his time at Oak Hill Academy.
"When Harden was in Houston, he was unstoppable," Thomas recalled. "My mom pointed it out, and I started watching him closely. Scoring 40, 50 points a night and making it look easy-his ability to get whatever he wanted and make the right plays was incredible."
Thomas credits Harden with shaping his one-on-one skills, particularly his ball handling and ability to attack the basket. It's no surprise to those familiar with Thomas' game that Harden was a key influence.
Harden's peak years in Houston were marked by leading the league in assists and capturing three consecutive scoring titles, along with an MVP award. This period coincided with Thomas's senior year of high school, and his admiration for Harden's scoring ability was evident as he averaged over 23 points per game during his freshman year at LSU. He continued to impress in the NBA, making a name for himself with three consecutive 40-point games as a sophomore.
While Thomas has made progress as a playmaker, his primary focus remains scoring. He joined the Bucks with the intent to "get buckets," a mission his teammates and opponents recognize.
The influence of "The Beard" is clear in Thomas' game. Not only did he draw inspiration from Harden's time with the Rockets, but he also had the opportunity to play alongside him in Brooklyn.
"I got to know him a bit and really admire him," Thomas shared. His stepback shot is reminiscent of Harden’s signature move, with a similar high release point.
Of course, Thomas' game isn't a carbon copy of Harden's. Standing two inches shorter, he compensates with impressive lower-body elevation, making his shot difficult to block.
While he hasn't mastered the art of drawing fouls to the extent Harden did, Thomas still gets to the line frequently, averaging 6.3 free throw attempts per 36 minutes since his rookie season. This season, only Giannis surpasses that average for Milwaukee, a team currently struggling with free throw attempts.
Even as Harden racked up assists, he was known for hunting his own shot, leading the league in shot attempts during his scoring title years. Thomas mirrors this approach, attempting over 21 shots per 36 minutes in his role as a sixth man for the Bucks.
This scoring mentality is precisely why Milwaukee brought him in, especially as they push for a spot in the Play-In tournament. The Bucks will be counting on Thomas to channel his inner Harden and keep those buckets coming.