OKC Thunder Series Matchup: The x-factors – Jerami Grant vs. Al-Farouq Aminu
By Noah Schulte
Conclusion
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Just from the points I laid out, it’d be fair to say that Grant is clearly the better player, but it’s not so cut and dry.
For all the faults Aminu has, and for all the growth Grant’s made, Aminu is way more important to what the Blazers want to do and, as such, a good game for Aminu means more to Portland than a good game for Grant means for the Thunder.
Whether it’s good for Portland or not, Aminu’s success has always translated to overall team success and that’s just not the case for Grant.
It’s a nice plus when Grant scores 20 points and plays great defense but it doesn’t move the needle the way Aminu can. This entire exercise is really about which player gives more to their team and, in turn, which player has more of an impact on their overall team success. Value doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Next. Series matchup: Brewing rivalry of Westbrook and Lillard. dark
Portland doesn’t have many – if any – truly reliable wings outside of Aminu. When he plays well, he can be the third option they’ll need this postseason. It’s the one way Aminu can comfortably beat Grant. And, as Game 4 showed when Aminu plays well he becomes the Blazers x-factor.