The biggest shot of the season was hit by Matt Ryan.
Kind of.
The training camp invitee, who earned a partially-guaranteed contract and a spot in coach Darvin Ham's early- season rotation, is waiting on the first direct deposit to hit his account.
Ryan said he hasn't gotten a paycheck yet, despite his buzzer-beating 3 that forced overtime and led to a win against New Orleans. We are not paid until the 15th.
Ryan needs to remain on the roster past January 10 to have his salary guaranteed. He is taking care of his expenses in L.A. on a two-way contract, stretching the $112,000 he earned with the Boston Celtics last season.
Ryan hitched a ride from a team staffer back to the extended-stay hotel he's staying in near the Lakers' practice facility until he finds a place to live. He doesn't have a vehicle in L.A.
Ryan is not splurging this year. In the next few years.
Ryan's origin story is similar to the pennywise mindset. While waiting for his break with an NBA team, he worked as a delivery driver for DoorDash and had morning shifts at his grandfather's business, which was located in a graveyard.
The Lakers are 2-9 through their first 11 games, and his precarious position as the last man on the roster is similar.
The two things seem to be related.
While Ryan was in the midst of hitting six 3s in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, the 6-foot-76 forward had a pen in his hand and he signed it as an endorsement of his shot. James is used to it.
A bunch of guys that didn't play last year are playing. It's in the rotation. Even if it was here or with their team, they were playing heavy minutes that didn't play at all. It is learning.
Ryan played just five minutes with the Celtics last season but still earned a playoff bonus from Boston's NBA Finals run that he put in a savings account
The All-Star walked out of the arena after Ryan's jersey was draped over his shoulder. Mitchell's dad and Ryan's mom taught in the same school district as the two boys grew up playing on the same team.
Ryan said that his greeting with Mitchell after the game was similar to a feeling he had previously. One of them said, 'F---ing finally, we're here'
Ryan doesn't want to bask in the glow of achievement yet. It is easy for him to maintain modesty. Fans can keep mentioning Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan on his feed if he opens up his social media accounts.
Ryan was annoyed when he made the team. I just ignored it now. I'm just trying to make a name for myself. The names are the same.
Since that shot against New Orleans, Ryan has earned some individual recognition, but he's sticking to the routines that helped get him here. He has the same work ethic that he had before the New Orleans game.
The NBA's all-time leader in regular-season points is on the verge of being passed by the man known as King James. All year long, we will have complete coverage.
There is a game-by- game points tracker.
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