It's apparent that Toumani Camara wants to be a more central part of the Portland Trail Blazers' path forward, and it would appear the feeling is mutual. One recent quote from a Blazers front office executive serves to back this up.
"It was so important for him and for us that he got some recognition last year," said a Portland front office executive back in July. "Toumani is really, really good. We’re hoping to be able to work something out to keep in Portland for a long time."
It's clear that Camara has earned the respect of not only this fanbase, but of his coaches and the front office as well. In his rookie year he quickly earned a larger role right away due his defensive presence.
He then built on that in his second professional season by exhibiting improved confidence and consistency. It's not very common for a second-round pick to stick so fast like Toumani has, let alone become a dependable rotation guy in back-to-back years.
Toumani Camara is set to continue leveling up
When he first came into the league, one of the biggest concerns surrounding Camara's game was his offense. There was uncertainty concerning whether he would be able to shoot from distance or make quick decisions. Now, through two seasons, he's made big strides in cutting off the ball, shooting the three-ball and finding ways to contribute without needing a high usage rate.
Toumani has also much further established his defensive reputation since the moment he arrived in Portland. At first, he was just the guy who was willing to take on defensive assignments across multiple positions. Now, he's someone the Blazers' staff can count on to be consistent with assignments in various schemes. He's no longer just an energy player, he's a legitimate high-level defender.
The words from Portland's unnamed front office executive weren't just empty praise for the young star. Rather, they were indicative of the kind of investment the team wants to make in him. After two seasons, they've clearly seen enough to say he belongs as a key member of this core moving forward.
It's the worst-kept secret that Camara has been a Trail Blazers fan favorite for some time now. Early on it was for his hustle and intensity, but now that's clearly turning into a confidence that he can be something even bigger. Every young core needs the player who's a glue guy, makes winning plays and helps embody the team's culture. It's obvious that Toumani Camara is becoming just that.