OKC Thunder: Jerami Grants don’t grow on trees

Defense

Grant is a fine perimeter defender, but his bread is buttered defending the rim.

He’s a freakish athlete with a jaw-dropping wingspan. Grant is able to change direction and elevate at a moment’s notice, throwing his go-go gadget arms toward the ball to send it back.

Film Evidence:

His ability to accelerate quickly allows him to excel as a help defender. Many of his blocks come from instinctive digs toward the goal at the last second. Watch how Grant sees that KAT has a mismatch on Russ after the switch. He’s aware and ready to meet KAT at the rim:

Again notice how aware Grant is. Grant is guarding Frank Kaminsky. Once he sees the hard roll is coming, he lets Kaminsky go so he can stay home. He meets the ball at the rim. Grant is an extremely smart team defender who leverages that into identifying launchpads for rim protection. Watch him in action:

In the next clip, Grant switches quickly, then returns home for a block. Grant sees that Russ is going to get picked, so he switches, knows that opens the roll man, and not knowing about his weak side helper, Grant assumes he’s liable for what happens, so he covers the rim.

Additionally, watch Abrines and Ferguson on this play. Ferguson sees Abrines cheating down and runs to cover his man for the kick out. This is excellent team defense by everyone:

See in these other clips Grants effective team defense, and how he always seems to be in the right spot to make the play:

Though Grant’s primary calling card is his rim protection and team defense, he’s no black hole on offense.