Thunderous Intentions
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Matt’s Monday Musings – In growth we trust

By Matthew Hallett

Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 12, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) warms up prior to the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) warms up prior to the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerami Grant

For me, Jerami Grant was the frustration of the season; I love watching this kid play. Grant plays so far above the rim yet is also flashing signs of a solid three point game. I am not frustrated with Grant. I, like many of my counterparts at TI, am frustrated with the limited playing time he received all season.

Grant was the typical victim of the Thunder win now mentality. His game is still raw, even though his three point shooting percentage rose to 37 percent after being traded. Grant’s problems occurred once he drove to the basket.

The 22-year old’s athletic ability, defense and age were the three main reasons that the Thunder game up the conditional first round draft pick in 2020. Yes, they gave up Ersan Ilyasova, but can anyone really consider that a big loss since he is a free agent this offseason?

MUST READ: Five biggest holes for the Thunder to fill this offseason

In his 19.1 minutes per game Grant averaged 5.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. Yes…he averaged a block per game in just 19 minutes. Grant needed to see more court time considering how vulnerable the Thunder were to the pick and roll and how little rim protection they had.

I am not sure why Billy Donovan did not play him more. A year of development for Grant would have been invaluable, and I am sure he would not have cost them too many games.

The offseason

This offseason is the most important one in Grant’s very short career. There is a chance that Roberson will not re-sign with the Thunder, leaving the starting small forward slot wide open for Grant to take. I am excited for the possibility of Grant becoming an elite three-and-d player, and a consistent starting role would only speed up that process.

Grant needs to continue to develop his three point shot to be closer to 40 percent accuracy. If he can do this then he will become really dangerous. No one will be able to leave Grant unguarded on the perimeter and if you guard him too close, watch him drive right by.

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The former 76er is already a good defender and his shot blocking is close to the best on the OKC Thunder roster. If he can learn to lock his player down a bit better in the half court, losing Roberson (if that in fact happens) may not hurt as much.

The last thing that Grant needs to work on in the offseason is his free throw shooting. We all saw how Roberson shot from the line in the series against Houston. For those who missed it, he went 3-of-21. Not even DeAndre Jordan has been that bad, and he has the second worst percentage in NBA history. Grant is a career 63 percent shooter from the line. He needs to improve that to over 70 percent this season.

If the OKC Thunder can get this growth from Grant as well as Sabonis and Abrines, look out for the Thunder next year.

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