Defense wins championships, right? It also wins awards, and that is what 14th overall pick Carter Bryant is about to do. It doesn't matter if he is a rookie; he is ready to conquer the All-Defensive team. It definitely won't be easy, though.
Because Bryant will be [buried in the depth chart](https://airalamo.com/spurs-fans-worry-carter-bryant-struggles-minutes-season) and not the center of attention like many other All-Defensive team candidates, he will have to make his mark. To do so, Bryant will need to rack up the numbers and give voters no other choice.
Carter Bryant will need to get his hands dirty
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We know the Arizona forward can lock up whoever is in his way, but he must be as aggressive as possible when attacking the ball.
First, the lengthy forward must use his quick burst and first step to jump into passing lanes for deflections and steals. Just like a safety in football, Bryant must sense ball movement and pounce before it can get to the target. Racking up these key stats will go a long way in Bryant's pursuit of glory.
Next, Bryant will need to take notes from Victor Wembanyama and become a master blocker. There is no better player to learn from than the Alien himself. Bryant has the athleticism and timing to send balls flying into the stands. It will be a sight to see. If he is highlighted enough with absurd blocks throughout the season, the media will start to notice.
Of course, there is a lot of competition in the race to become one of the 10 best defenders in the NBA. Each of the best defenders excels statistically with blocks or steals. Lucky for Spurs fans, Bryant can do both. But he will first need to prove that he can do it at the NBA level.
Carter Bryant is compared to these All-Defensive studs
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Over the past several years, a blueprint has been created when constructing the perfect defender. Many of the greatest defenders fall into a similar mold. The epitome of a great wing defender is a bulky, lengthy, and gritty player who is quick on his feet and can precisely move laterally. Sounds a lot like Bryant.
Some prime examples of this archetype are OG Anunoby, Lu Dort, and Dyson Daniels. As Bryant sets forth on his NBA journey, these players should serve as an example of what he needs to do to accomplish his greatest goal. This trio is all amazing at getting deflections, muddying up passing lanes, and hammering down blocks. It is without a doubt the recipe for being All-Defensive.
Even as a youngster, Bryant has the tools to transcend his rookie class and become one of the leading defenders in the NBA. With training, dedication, and hard work, there is no reason that the 19-year-old can't submit his name into the All-Defensive team ballot in year one. Alongside Wembanyama and the crew, [the Spurs' defense is about to be deadly.](https://airalamo.com/carter-bryants-commitment-defense-first-makes-him-perfect-spur)