On Sunday night, the Los Angeles Lakers played their fourth preseason game of the 2022-23 campaign, and for the first time in two years, they actually won a preseason contest.
They did so by outlasting the Golden State Warriors, 124-121, even though LeBron James and Russell Westbrook sat out to get some rest.
A few themes are emerging as the regular season inches closer for Los Angeles. Kendrick Nunn looks healthy and like his old self. Austin Reaves looks more comfortable and poised, especially as a secondary facilitator. And Anthony Davis seems motivated.
But something that may have gone relatively unnoticed is the fine play of center Thomas Bryant.
The Lakers signed him to a veteran’s minimum contract in July, and many shrugged it off as a signing that would have minimal impact. Such naysayers cited the fact Bryant had suffered an ACL injury in January 2021 and has struggled to regain his form ever since.
But Bryant is looking good, and barring something unexpected in the team’s final two exhibition contests, he deserves to start at the 5 this season.
Bryant's energy and toughness are noticeable and needed
The 6-foot-10 man will not impress anyone with his statistical production, but he will put up solid numbers in certain statistical categories the old-fashioned way: not with talent or outstanding skill, but by working hard.
He runs the floor, he can box out, he’s a good finisher underneath and he can help protect the rim.
Bryant was quiet in the Lakers’ first two preseason games, but he busted out on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves with 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting and 8-of-10 from the free throw line plus seven rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot in 26 minutes.
One of the bigger picture things I've been zooming in on during preseason is Thomas Bryant's athleticism post-injury.
He was a bit tepid in his couple games, but his burst was noticeabley better last night, especially in the 1st quarter where he leaked out and ran the floor hard pic.twitter.com/KrehoPLOLm
— Alex Regla (@AlexmRegla) October 7, 2022
On Sunday, he put up six points and five rebounds despite playing just 12 minutes versus Golden State.
Head coach Darvin Ham wants the Lakers to play aggressive pressure defense, as well as employ a fast-breaking style on offense, and Bryant is best suited to do both.
In addition, he has the ability to be a lob threat and provide the type of “vertical spacing” JaVale McGee did a couple of years ago when they won the NBA championship.
The one thing Bryant hasn’t shown yet is the ability to consistently hit 3-pointers, but it’s something he did in the past when he shot over 40% in back-to-back seasons with the Washington Wizards.
The other candidate for the starting center spot hasn't done so well
Coming into training camp, Bryant and Damian Jones, another free agent pickup, were the two main candidates for the starting 5 position. It has been presumed Davis will start at the 4.
Many liked the Jones signing, but he has been somewhat underwhelming so far in the exhibition season.
In 12 minutes on Sunday, he had three rebounds but no points or blocked shots. Against Minnesota on Thursday, it was a similar story: one rebound and nothing else in eight minutes.
His best showing was in L.A.’s first preseason game when he started and grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots but scored only one point in 21 minutes.
