Thomas Bryant's 'indomitable spirit' kept him ready. And he took his moment in Game 6 clincher
INDIANAPOLIS – The chants cascaded down from the upper reaches of Gainbridge Fieldhouse in the second half of the Pacers' Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals series-clinching win over the New York Knicks.
'Thom-as Bry-ant! Thom-as Bry-ant! Thom-as Bry-ant!'
Fitting, maybe, on a Pacers team that prides itself on depth and balance, chemistry and cohesion, that Bryant, who did not play at all in Games 3 or 4 and just five minutes in Game 5, heard his name ringing through the arena.
More: Celebrate the Pacers' amazing season and run to NBA Finals with our commemorative book
'It was great,' said the 27-year-old Bryant, who played his two college seasons at IU. 'For me, I never had that happen. Through high school, college, NBA, that was the first time for that to happen. It was kind of a shock, but also a great moment to live in right there.'
Bryant earned those cheers by staying ready for his moment. He knocked down his first 3-point attempt in the first quarter, then hit another early in the third. Bryant's third 3-pointer put the Pacers up by 15 minutes midway through the third quarter and led to the fans chanting his name after a Knicks timeout.
Nobody was happier for Bryant than his teammates, who watched him keep a positive outlook throughout the ups and downs of playing time during the season.
'I've played against Thomas since high school,' Myles Turner said. 'He's always had that enthusiasm and energy and skill. He was able to put us up in his way tonight. He didn't complain, he didn't pout. If you watch any film, he's the first one up on the bench. First one gassing us up, talking to us and getting us right.'
Bryant has had his moments in these playoffs, including Game 5 of the Cleveland series, but saw his playing time diminish this series as coach Rick Carlisle has recently turned to Tony Bradley for size off the bench.
But Bryant stayed ready for his moment, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds and one blocked shot in 13 minutes Saturday.
'You talk about a guy who has a great spirit and stays ready,' Carlisle said. 'His 3s and his blocked shots and his rebounds were all pivotal stuff. Thomas has an indomitable spirit as a person and a player. Even when he's not in the rotation, he's over there in a defensive stance on the sidelines and he is into it and he is ready. He is ready. He's had a flare for these moments.'
Bryant knows his time will come again. He might not known when, or how many minutes. But he will be confident when it does.
'It comes from my teammates and the work I put in when you guys don't see it,' Bryant said. 'And just staying with it. Believing in one another. My teammates believe in me. We're a close team. Chemistry is a big thing people overlook sometimes. That chemistry is going to help you in times like this.'
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