Carter Bryant gave the Spurs exactly the kind of preseason jolt they’ve been waiting for.
In his debut, the second-year forward looked far more comfortable as a scorer, mixing catch-and-shoot looks with self-created offense and playing with a level of confidence and aggression that stood out right away. If Dylan Harper locks down a starting job, Bryant’s growth could become a huge piece of San Antonio’s bench scoring.
Bryant finished with 11 points in 23 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks, and the numbers matched the eye test. He looked ready to let it fly from the perimeter and showed he can do more than just spot up. That kind of versatility is what the Spurs need from him if they want their second unit to keep producing.
The shot-making package was on display in different ways. Bryant hit two of his five three-point attempts, and both makes came off the catch. His form looked smooth, and the hesitation that sometimes showed up before may be fading.
He also showed he can put the ball on the floor and create something for himself. Late in the first quarter, he knocked down a contested mid-range pull-up. There were also possessions where he pushed the ball in transition, attacked the lane, and drew contact to get to the free-throw line.
That kind of all-around scoring is what makes his development so interesting. If Bryant can keep pairing that offensive balance with the kind of defense he flashed as a rookie, he has a chance to become one of the more reliable bench players in the league. A 6'6" athletic forward who can affect both ends is a tough cover.
Of course, it wasn’t a clean outing. Bryant also had four turnovers, a reminder that the decision-making still needs work.
But preseason is the right place for that. This is the stage for reps, mistakes, and adjustments. What matters most is that Bryant played assertively instead of disappearing, because that’s the path toward becoming the two-way difference-maker San Antonio needs.
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There is still time for that to change this season, with three games left against Los Angeles and a chance to flip the series in San Antonio's favor if everything breaks right. The matchup looks different now, too, with the Lakers roster having gone through changes that include LeBron James moving on to Philadelphia, leaving the Spurs to chase a piece of history against a version of the rivalry that keeps evolving. [Read more 🡒]