The performance of Matt Ryan was one of the greatest tales of the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason triumph over the Golden State Warriors. The quick-shooting wing scored 20 points in the victory, making 6-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc, and demonstrating why he would be a fascinating roster option.
The absence of perimeter shooting for the Lakers this season is possibly their biggest worry. Ryan obviously fits the description of a certified knockout deep shooter, even if the team doesn’t have any on paper, and he thinks he is as good as anyone.
In an interview with Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell after his game-changing effort, Ryan made it apparent that he thinks he is a shooter on par with anyone in the NBA:
I adore it. I was a tad shaky throughout my first few games. I could tell I was hitting the back rim and going in and out because several of my shots were doing so. And I only needed to keep shooting; it only took a few games for things to click for me in one of these games. After a couple of disappointing games, I’m extremely fortunate and grateful to have another chance tonight. But I’m confident that I can compete with the best of them when it comes to shooting, so I’ll simply keep improving and waiting for my chance.
Because Ryan has been working hard to remain on an NBA roster, he recognizes the significance of this opportunity with the Lakers and vows to keep working as hard as he can to play in this league:
“I don’t have time to waste. Every chance you get could be your last. Every day, my mother texts me, “This is what you’ve been waiting for.” You have been working toward this. You’ve been waiting for this chance for the past few years. I’m just attempting to maximize the situation, to realize a goal, and to support the squad in any way I can. And I’m going to keep going, working extremely hard every day, and trying to be the best version of myself.
In the NBA, there is always a place for shooting, and Ryan wants to show that he is among the greatest the game has to offer. It will be very challenging for the Lakers to let him go if he can win a few more games in a row like that.
Since Ryan’s contract is not guaranteed, Los Angeles has flexibility and could decide to keep him if he continues this behavior.
Anthony Davis’ preseason return for the Lakers “felt wonderful,”
In Sunday’s triumph, Anthony Davis made his comeback to the Lakers’ starting lineup, and the big man was dominant, scoring 28 points in the process. After the match, Davis claimed that winning made him feel fantastic.
While making it apparent that the back problems that held him out of the previous two games were minimal and not troubling him, Davis also mentioned that he must continue to use the preseason to get into game shape.
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