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San Antonio Spurs combo guard Bryn Forbes is officially brawny

By Dylan Carter

DENVER, CO - APRIL 3: Bryn Forbes #11 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 3, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 3: Bryn Forbes #11 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on April 3, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Heading into another contract year for the San Antonio Spurs, zippy combo guard Bryn Forbes has put on a mass of muscle in the offseason.

For as skilled and dedicated as former-Spartan Bryn Forbes is to his craft, the San Antonio Spurs combo guard has never relied on physicality to succeed. His wiry build made him a target on the defensive end at larger guards tend to bully the 6-foot-3 sharpshooter.

From the looks of it, Forbes got tired of being a target and opted to dedicate himself to filling out his frame this offseason. In a recent video detailing Forbes’ long and winding journey to relevance in the NBA, the young guard was shown in the gym pumping iron with massively improved biceps and a generally stronger frame.

This is highly noteworthy for a player looking to keep his starting position for the Spurs as All-Defensive second team selection Dejounte Murray returns to the lineup, expecting to take his starting role back from Derrick White coming off of his breakout sophomore season.

With a team-first mentality and an unwavering dedication to his team, Forbes started every game under Gregg Popovich last year and truly came into his own. The 26-year-old averaged 11.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 45.6 percent shooting from the field, 42.6 percent shooting from deep and a much-improved 88.5 percent from the free throw line.

"I think my biggest purpose is to show people anything is possible."

From undrafted to starting in the NBA, @BrynjForbes' journey is just beginning. This is his Spurs Story.@FrostBank | #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/53bFfoOTQj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) September 27, 2019

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In filling out his frame and solidifying himself physically, Forbes has set himself up for a breakout year on the defensive end. Oftentimes pinpointed as one of the team’s weakest defenders, Forbes should have no problem using his newfound physicality to his advantage when guarding taller opposition at the two-guard spot. It should be easier for him to switch off of ball screens and fight through them while remaining true to his game.

On the other end of the floor, Forbes is going to benefit from improved physicality by utilizing his strength to finish through contact and battle under the basket for rebounds.

Forbes has a lot to prove as he enters the final year of his contract and adding this muscle isn excellent sign of things to come. His work isn’t done, it’s only just begun, but Forbes is one of the hardest workers on his team and will never settle for complacency.

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As the season approaches, it becomes more likely that Forbes can retain his starting role and relegate White to the second unit by providing steadfast dedication to this team.