OKC Thunder forward Jerami Grant celebrates his 25th birthday following a big win in Utah and looking to finish out the season strong.
Since acquiring Jerami Grant via trade from the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, he’s been a big piece of the puzzle for the OKC Thunder. And in each of the past three seasons, he’s made himself a more valuable asset.
Grant is an unusual player in that the stat line doesn’t always reflect his full impact on the game. A defensive stopper by nature, Grant is simply a hustler. He’s always one of the first guys to dive for loose balls, protects the rim like his life is on the line and has even become a better shooter in recent months.
Retweet to wish @JeramiGrant a happy birthday! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/oxmIS1Cbp0
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 12, 2019
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Grant was originally picked 39th overall in 2014 and played two seasons for the 76ers before being traded for Ersan Ilyasova and a protected draft pick. Since then, Grant went from being a raw prospect to a franchise cornerstone in two and a half seasons with the Thunder.
Grant spent his first two seasons in Oklahoma City coming off the bench but has since earned himself a role in the starting rotation and has become someone Billy Donovan can’t live without.
With his extra minutes, Grant increased his scoring average to 13.3 points a game and his rebounds to 5.1 a game. But Grant’s true impact comes on the defensive end, as he’s 20th in the league in defensive efficiency rating among players who log 25 or more minutes per game. Which is particularly impressive when you consider that Grant matches up against the opposing team’s best player nearly every game, depending on the opponent. Regardless, his job is never easy.
Due to the nature of his game, casual fans and the media don’t often sing the praises of a defensive stopper like Grant. But if you’re a dedicated Thunder fan, you’ve probably fallen in love with Grant and his hustle like the rest of us. Even though he’s still working on shooting, you have to love a guy who goes all out on the defensive end, unafraid of taking one for the team.
So now seems like a fitting time to give respect where it’s due. Happy birthday, Jerami.