Examining which players benefit most following formation of OKC Thunder Big 3

Jerami Grant:

I love me some Jerami Grant. The product out of Syracuse is an athletic machine and has yet to realize his touch or his potential. His skill set is very similar to a young Serge Ibaka, a guy who can jump out of the gym, has great timing and who possesses exceptional athleticism to guard out on the perimeter. We are yet to see the best of Grant and OKC should seriously consider keeping him beyond this season (particularly if he excels this season).

Developing Offense

Although Grant’s handle needs some work, his dunks are reminiscent of Russell Westbrook. If Grant is coming down the lane or is attacking the paint, move out of the way. Just ask Kevin Durant.

Or Marc Gasol.

Grant’s biggest weakness is creating his own shot. He doesn’t look particularly comfortable dribbling among defenders and looks ungainly dribbling at pace to the hoop. He did have career high percentages in field goals (47), 3-pointers (37.7) and catch and shoot opportunities (39.4).

Since Grant can make an outside shot, Donovan can use him as a spot up shooter. However, Grants athleticism must be used on backdoor cuts, straight line drives and retrieving lobs. Like Roberson, Grant will receive lanes to the hoop like he’s never seen before.

OKC Thunder new shot-blocking 3 and D player?

One of the OKC Thunder biggest weaknesses is the lack of rim protection. Steven Adams is a terrific interior defender and athletic center but he is no shot blocker. Grant however, has all the physical tools of a dominant rim protector. Listed at 6’8, 210 pounds, his athleticism allows him to recover when beaten off the dribble, possesses a ridiculous vertical and has exceptional timing blocking shots.

Check out the chase down block on Minnesota‘s Andrew Wiggins.

Additionally, he also shows terrific help defense instincts, coming from the weak side. Check out Grant’s return to sender moment on Boston‘s Jonas Jerebko.

With Melo in the line-up, you know he is going to take plays off. Having Grant on the floor will help alleviate that and teams will think twice about going into the paint because a shot blocker is present.

Donovan needs to reshape GRant’s game into a shot-blocking 3 and D player. This will provide Donovan with even more options and potential line-ups.