When Kevin Ollie took over as the Nets’ interim head coach, Cameron Johnson was moved to the bench in favor of Dorian Finney-Smith to improve the team’s defense. That did not work out as expected, but Cam has stayed confident and ready to contribute to the team.
Cameron Thomas’ ankle injury opened a spot in the starting lineup, as Johnson started in his place. The former North Carolina Tar Heel scored 29 points, spearheaded by seven made three-pointers. After the game, Coach Ollie commended the 27-year-old wing player.
“He’s just a professional, we talked when I made the decision, and he was just a professional. He was like ‘What can I do to help the team?’. We talked and just accepted his role and that's what happens when you’re a good steward of the minutes that you get,” Ollie praised Johnson after the win against Atlanta.
“Him just believing in himself, believing in the team, doing whatever it takes for the team. To win, that bodes very well for his character, and he's a better person than a basketball player.”
Johnson remains a vital piece for the future
It’s rare to have a sweet-shooting wing like Johnson, who is reliable to start or come off the bench as an instant offense piece. He’s also a decent defender who can keep up with quicker players and match up against big players.
That skill set benefits Brooklyn’s long-term future because they can expect a reliable wing player to be on the roster for a long time. Thankfully, for Nets fans, Johnson is fine playing any role given to him for the betterment of the team.
Johnson is playing more comfortably in Ollie’s system
The game against Atlanta was a superb performance from Cam, but it was also a sign that he is getting comfortable in Coach Ollie’s system. He feels comfortable building his rhythm under the new coach, which is good since he considers rhythm a vital part of his game.
“Feels good; all I’m looking for is rhythm and feel for the game. It slows down the game for you when you’re in comfortable spaces and roles. You’re able to process quicker and more efficiently; sometimes good results follow that,” Cam said after the game.
Moving forward, Johnson wants to keep this up, as hitting his first three shots was a confidence booster, and he wants that to happen to him and his teammates every game from now.
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