With third-round pick Dylan Harper out for the San Antonio Spurs’ Summer League opening due to a groin ailment, all attention turned to Carter Bryant, the 14th choice in the recent NBA Draft.
Bryant became the player to watch in San Antonio’s opening Summer League game of the season, but there wasn’t much to see.
The Spurs fell 82-69 in their debut game in San Francisco.
To their credit, San Antonio hung with a Miami Heat club that had three NBA rotation players in Kel’El Ware and Pelle Larsson until the fourth quarter, when careless play cost the Spurs’ summer team. Ware dominated later in the game due to his inside size.
He finished the game with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a few steals and blocks.
Bryant got off to a terrific start, scoring the game’s opening points with a fadeaway three-pointer that gave Spurs supporters a thrill early on. However, he soon went silent for the remainder of the night. Despite playing over 30 minutes, Bryant finished with only 7 points, 5 rebounds, and one assist. He shot only 37.5 percent from the floor, going 3-for-8 and missing all five three-pointers after the opening shot.
So, should Spurs supporters be worried or calm about Bryant’s performance?
Of course not. It’s far too early to make any major conclusions from a single Summer League game, particularly for a 19-year-old making his NBA debut. Many young players struggle in their debuts as they adjust to the game’s speed and intensity, not to mention the anxieties that come with being a highly anticipated prospect playing in front of an audience for the first time. Spurs fans should be aware that even Victor Wembanyama struggled in his Summer League debut, ending with only 9 points.
While there is no reason to panic, there are several areas of concern as the Summer League season progresses. With Bryant, a 6-8 Arizona product, on the court for the most of the game, fans should expect increased performance in future games: more points, a higher three-point shooting percentage, and a stronger defensive presence. These are critical to Bryant’s success during the next four games, which begin today against the Warriors.
With Dylan Harper expected to miss at least the next two games, Bryant will be the focal point for Spurs supporters hoping to see him make an impact this week. Harper is slated to return on Thursday, when the Spurs face fellow top-three pick V.J. Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers in a contest that has the potential to showcase the NBA’s future.
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