Reviewing Jerami Grant’s first season in Oklahoma City
By Tony Heim
Jerami Grant’s regular season/playoff performance
After a regular season that left many on the Thunderous Intentions staff vocally upset (mainly myself), Grant finally received consistent playoff minutes. Even with a smaller playoff rotation, Grant’s playing time actually increased from 19.1 to 22.1 minutes per game. He went from averaging the ninth most minutes on the team to the sixth most, easily beating out the next closest bench player (Alex Abrines with 16 mpg).
What really stood out was Grant’s ability to find openings in the paint. With Enes Kanter unable to play, Grant was forced to play closer to the rim instead of his normal spot in the corner. He attempted two more shots per game in the playoffs but less three-pointers; it culminated with a 61.3% field goal percentage. Plenty of those shots were open dunks, partly because Russell Westbrook commands so much attention when driving to the hoop. But neither Kanter nor Steven Adams (two players who don’t drift past the paint) averaged that high of a figure during the regular season.
Then there’s the three-point shooting. Grant came over from Philadelphia as a career sub-30% shooter, yet in his first season with the Thunder he shot nearly 38%. Granted, the looks were more open and the attempts were slightly down. But the form looked good – you could here the swish on television. It’s a testament to the work the third-year player put in.
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On defense Grant was Oklahoma City’s best rim protector. He averaged as many blocks per game as Adams even with 10 less minutes per game. The 23-year old defends the rim like a mother protecting her child: with reckless abandon. But he’s more than a one trick pony on that end. He has the height and wingspan to guard centers and the quickness to take on a shooting guard from time-to-time.
Jerami Grant is still an incredibly raw player. But through the course of the season he showed the potential of being a well-rounded, starting caliber player in a couple years. He also proved he can dominate a highlight reel.