Carter Bryant’s defense already rivals NBA starters — and the Spurs knew it

Carter Bryant is receiving high praise, and as the very last lottery pick, that's something to be excited about. Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon recently released a new episode of their Game Theory Podcast, and raved about the Spurs' 14th pick. Vecenie kicked it off with a strong statement about the rook.

"He looked like one of the best defenders I've seen at summer league in a few years." - Sam Vecenie

He looked like that to a whole lot of us, and just last year, Jaylen Wells was drafted. Well's defense was so good, he earned a spot in the starting lineup, and ended the year third in Rookie of the Year voting. (Shout out to ROY winner, Stephon Castle)

During the Summer League, Bryant made eye-popping plays that made fans fall in love with him and start to feel what those cartoons felt when their hearts were beating out of their chest. Smitten, might not be the right word, but it's damn close.

This is a fan base that recognizes what brought them success in the past: defense. Bryant's ability to cover smaller guards and bigger forwards will be an invaluable asset that helps propel the Spurs back to the top of the Western Conference.

Is Carter Bryant a possible Defensive Player of the Year candidate?

I think this is a fair question to ask for one reason, and his name is Dyson Daniels. Atlanta drafted the crafty defender last summer, and he had a phenomenal year on defense, earning him top-three votes for the prestigious award that we know should have belonged to Victor Wembanyama. Unfortunately, the blood clot had other plans, so Evan Mobley won it.

The reason why he likely won't make the ballot, though, is because of Wembanyama. Wells can be used again here for the example of why, considering that, as good as his defense was, he had Jaren Jackson Jr. on his team. JJJ got the nod in the DPOY race, and two players from the same team rarely get votes for that award.

The Alien is expected to come back and wreak havoc on a league that keeps shortchanging him for one reason or another. Being sidelined for DVT is not his fault. Missing out on Defensive Player of the Year was a result of the new 65-game threshold rule that has only been implemented for a couple of years.

He's going to wreck the league when the games start. Placing Carter Bryant next to him is going to make life incredibly difficult for offenses. The only thing that will keep Bryant off the floor is his offense. If he can fast-track his ability to just be steady, his ridiculous defense will force Mitch Johnson to put him on the floor. He's that good.