After his rookie season, the San Antonio Spurs sent Carter Bryant back to the Summer League, hoping he could use his NBA experience to help mentor this year's draft picks. So far, he's been vocal in practices, but needs to take a leap forward during games.
On Thursday, the San Antonio Spurs dropped their first game of the Las Vegas Summer League, losing to the Atlanta Hawks 93-66.
The Spurs were led by 26th overall pick Tarris Reed Jr., who secured a 14-point double-double. Asa Newell, who played for the Hawks last year, led Atlanta and all scorers with 15 points.
While 20th overall pick Jayden Quaintance didn't suit up for the Spurs, second-year wing Carter Bryant did. He finished with 12 points on inefficient shooting, but kept pulling up from deep, which is exactly what the Spurs need.
San Antonio would like to see Bryant expand his game this summer, but the main focus is on his leadership.
Spurs Pressure Carter Bryant to Be Vocal
This offseason, the Spurs signed Tobias Harris, re-signed Harrison Barnes, and have yet to trade either De'Aaron Fox or Keldon Johnson. There's no shortage of veteran leadership on the roster, although they still want Bryant to be more vocal and confident.
"The area I want to see him improve in is leadership," said Summer League coach Corliss Williamson. "He's done that in the practices he's been in. Now, he's just got to start the game off, set the tone defensively for us to get us going. And then, it's just decision-making. Decision-making out there. Just try to give him opportunities to play in different spots he won't play in the regular season and see if he can improve in those areas."
On the floor last season, Bryant was a streaky shooter, going off at times and refusing to pull up from deep at other times. In order for Bryant to have more trust in his game in the NBA, he should be a better leader in the summer, when games don't matter as much.
"The more he can grow his voice, the more he can look at the game from a different aspect as far as being a leader and helping others," Williamson added. "That's just going to help him improve."
Next season, Bryant is expected to remain on the bench but hold a bigger role. The Spurs have made it clear that they see him as a long-term project, although eventual growth would go a long way in securing his spot.
