Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Most anticipated OKC Thunder games of the 2019-2020 season

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKC Thunder former star Russell Westbrook now of the Houston Rockets returns to OKC January 9, 2020 (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder former star Russell Westbrook now of the Houston Rockets returns to OKC January 9, 2020 (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former OKC Thunder player Jerami Grant and Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Will Grant take another step?

As the roller coaster ride continues this return date of February 21 at 7:00 p.m. CT should also find the OKC Thunder fans cheering loudly as Jerami Grant makes his first appearance back at the Peake.

When Grant first came over to the Thunder he arrived as a developing talent who hadn’t been utilized to his full abilities. Work with former assistant Adrian Griffin and other coaches and development staff witnessed the young forward develop into what some thought should’ve garnered consideration on the Most Improved ballot this past season.

Grant posted career-best in points (13.1), rebounds (5.2), and steals (0.8). His shooting efficiencies also made marked improvements as he shot career bests from the charity stripe (71.0 percent). Additionally, he also shot career-best attempts from both the field (10.3) and perimeter (3.7) along with a career-best perimeter efficiency of 39.2 percent. Although Grant logged a career-high 32.7 minutes per game his playing time came against starting rotations which made his improvements all the more impressive. The forward was among the best defenders in the league and an iron man playing in 80 games.

In hindsight, this one move may be considered as a knee jerk reaction by Presti given Grant’s age (25) and still developing skillset. Perhaps the GM felt Grant wouldn’t stay through the R & R era since he’ll be able to opt out of his contract this next summer.

Another reason this game will garner attention is how poorly the Thunder fared against the Nuggets last season. OKC was swept by the Nuggets in the three-game series.

  • November 24, at home in a loss: 98-105
  • February 26 on the road in a loss: 112-121
  • March 29  at home in a loss: 105-115

While pundits drool over the revamped rosters of the Clippers and Lakers the Nuggets are back with a mostly returning roster. They debatably still boast the greatest roster depth in the league and will be another hard out this season.

Aside from the first time Grant returns to the Peake the other games the teams will play are:

  • December 14 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Pepsi Center in Denver
  • March 20 at 7:00 p.m. CT at home in OKC
  • March 30 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Pepsi Center in Denver
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