Thomas Bryant another example that Cavs have gotten tougher, deeper

Since the end of last season, I felt that the Cavaliers needed to sign a quality backup center. A guy off the bench who can actually play, relieve Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley for longer stretches and fill in as an occasional starter as needed.

The guy I had in mind was Thomas Bryant.

Well, it appears that’s the guy Koby Altman and the front office had in mind, too. As we relayed here, Bryant is reportedly signing a one-year deal with the Cavs.

Bryant is a great fit for several reasons. For one, he’s 6-foot-10. For another, he plays with some zest and some toughness. He will battle you down low. He can hit jumpers. He can defend. He will bring emotion, length and moxie.

Let’s be honest, coach Kenny Atkinson could’ve used all of those things in the frontcourt during the playoffs last season.

Now the Cavs have Bryant and Larry Nance Jr. to bring it. Both have experience in big-game situations. They’ve been around the NBA block. They know what’s up.

President of basketball operations Koby Altman said after last season that the Cavs needed to get “tougher.” Bryant brings that. Nance brings that. Lonzo Ball brings it (provided he can stay on the floor).

On paper, the Cavs are built for the playoffs way more than they were even last season. And let’s not forget, they finished 64-18. I think they’re better today.

They now have people who will push you around and can take your best shot. They have size. They have know-how. They just about have it all.

One opposing scout told me that if he had to pick a team to win it all, right now, it would be the Cavs. That was before the reported Bryant signing. 

And it’s players like Bryant, players on the edge of the roster who can be difference-makers, that make it easy to believe this team can really go places.

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