payitforward wrote:In response to something I suggested in the trade thread, nate writes:nate33 wrote: I don't think the rest of the league values Bryant as anything more than a decent backup center on a somewhat expensive contract.
Independent of my trade suggestion there, I kind of doubt nate is right about how most GMs see Bryant -- or how they should see him-- for a bunch of reasons:
1. Youth -- Bryant turned 23 less than a month ago. There are players in this draft who are older than he is.
2. Last year's numbers -- Bryant posted really outstanding numbers in 2018-19. Comfortably in the top, say ,15% of all Centers. What those numbers mean is a different question, but the numbers were there.
3. Three-point shooting -- Bryant shot almost 41% this year. & in general was outstanding offensively (65% TS%).
4. After a slow start, all Bryant's numbers were on the rise the last 1/2 of the season.
Without initiating a big argument here, soberly in other words, what does anyone else think about Bryant's progress & potential?
For clarification, I value him more than as an overpaid backup center because I really like his attitude and effort and think he will continue improve. I just don't expect other GM's are prepared to price in his expected improvement to the same degree that I am.
As a player right now, I think he is virtually unplayable in a playoff series against a good team that can spread the floor. His lack of defensive mobility and rim protection is too much of a defensive liability. I think other teams know this and therefore do not consider him much of an asset. Who wants a player than can't get on the floor in a playoff series against a good team? That can change if he gets smarter and better and we institute a drop coverage scheme like Milwaukee with Brook Lopez. But that will also require guards who can fight through a screen.