After watching him help his team beat Boston in Boston, yes to Jerami Grant. He's a guy who can hit big shots at the end of a game, and a guy who can take on the other teams best player on defense. He poked the ball away from Jayson Tatum (eventually leading to the shot clock expiring) on one possession late in the game, and stayed in front of Tatum for the last shot of the game which was a miss.
Grant is now a second/third option for the Pistons. What team is going to build around him? The way he played in their victory over Boston last night would fit fine with the Trail Blazers. He was 8-13 for 24 points. He hit several shots near the end of the game and defended Jayson Tatum well. I don't know why Detroit would trade him.
Lots of people believe in God. Even in this age, I'd speculate most do and no one with any sense has a problem with someone holding spiritual beliefs. But it's the one's who lead with it that tend to rub people wrong. Since hoops is a team sport and teams work best when they work together, someone who is off by themselves can be problematic. Being loud and proud about not taking the vaccine raises concerns as we're a billion shots in and the results are decidedly in. He's sited a litany of long debunked theories as to why he's not getting vaxed... fine his choice. I'm sure any management considering acquiring him would be looking into his character to judge whether he's just misguided & teammates accept/love him or if he's more of a selfish crazy asshat who teammates tolerate professionally. So no, my only argument isn't just the massive red flag that is Isaac's oft injured left knee thats contributed to him only playing in less then half (137 of the 297) of the Magic's games since he was drafted in 2017. An example of a young player who missed so much time early in their career to knee injuries and then went on to a long productive career doesn't spring to mind. Odd that you're so sure about him being fine when there isn't even a current projection for his return... he was supposed to be back from months ago. STOMP
We need the best PF we can get without giving up Dame, Ant, Little, Nurk. If that's Grant, I'm all for it. We've just won 4 straight with CJE starting and getting 30+ mpg. Imagine if that was Grant instead.
I am beginning to think that is the right move. He can play either forward spot next to both Nas and/or Watford. I think they are interchangeable. As "long" as Watford is at PF, Nas is essentially just as long. (Both with a 7'2" wing) Grant compliments both. But I don't want to give up both lottery picks if it comes down to it. One yes..... but both? I kind of want to save one for a backup center.
Exactly, except I think we should distinguish "our pick" and the "Pels pick". It's very possible these have substantially different value. If things continue in this vein, I'm ok with giving up our pick, but not the Pels pick for Grant.
damn olshey and the stupid protections he put on the pick he traded for Nance. If Chicago was demanding that the Blazers had to lock up 7 years of future 1st's for Nance, olshey should have told them to fuck-off. There should have been no more than 2-3 years of lottery protection before it became a couple of 2nds. If the Blazers had their 2025-27 firsts available, they'd have better leverage in any discussions
Here's an "all possessions" video of Jerami Grant that I didn't cherry pick. You notice some things: 1. He's definitely not a "black hole." He's a very willing passer. 2. His length on defense. Watch the shot block on Ja Morant at 1:30. That's impressive. 3. He's very good finishing at the hoop and getting through the defense to get there. He does not rush. 4. He takes long-range 2-pointers. Not good, obviously. I don't know how much better he shoots from that "Aldridge" spot compared to 3-pointers. 5. No problem running down the court. Going to to be very hard to stop him finishing with a bucket if he's only got one man to beat. Pair him with Nassir Little and Josh Hart that would be a formidable defense for shooters to shoot against. I don't know why the Pistons would trade him. But if he somehow ends up a Blazer, the team would definitely be better. Probably better than if we added Lillard without Grant.
Presumably because he has 1 year left on his contract (after this season) and he'll jet away from a losing team as soon as he can - which would lose him for nothing. Personally, I'd rather have Christian Wood, but Grant would be fine.
I decided to do a little bit more research on Wood since I don't really know much about him. so checked out a draft express draft profile (when they were still free); 1. Athleticism: "Athletically, Wood is impressive, as he's extremely fluid and agile for a player his size, running the floor very well when motivated, with long strides and the ability to get off the ground quickly and effortlessly. "- Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Christian-Wood-7182/ ©DraftExpress Standing 6-11, with a 7-3 wingspan, Wood has excellent size and length for a NBA power forward. His frame is somewhat on the frail side at the moment, particularly in the lower body, but will certainly continue to fill out as he matures physically, with the help of an NBA weight room. - (he has added 15 pounds since then, up to 230). 2. only shot 28% on threes early in his career but has improved that to a consistent 37% Seems to indicate he works on his game. They were concerned he was taking bad shots but considering his efficiency now, it seems he has corrected that also, seems to indicate he is open to coaching. 3, Intensity seemed to be a problem then; I don't know if that has changed or not, although he was then and is now a good rebounder. "Inside the post, Wood is not particularly physical, as he tends to just stand straight-up and allow stronger players to catch the ball with deep position without putting up much of a fight. Once they catch it, he doesn't do a great job of bodying up his matchup or trying to hold his ground to avoid getting backed down. He doesn't appear to be the toughest or most contact loving player around, and his intensity leaves a lot to be desired as well in terms of his ability to give a second effort. It's not rare for example to see him jogging back on defense and getting beat up the floor by the opposing big man." - 4. Another concern they had was his low assist rate of 8%, but he has improved that to 12%. 5. He was originally slated to be drafted in the 20's but then went undrafted. They speculate it might have been "concerns about his background and off-court habits "- They don't elaborate on that.
It does appear that way, although he is a pretty good rebounder and his advanced defensive stats are about the same as Grant's. I wonder if Billups has any kind of relationship with John Lucas, who would be able to give him some insight.
