If this topic should be merged into another thread, please do so. Here's my stupid question as someone who knows little about basketball: Can Jerami Grant play small forward effectively? I know he has largely played a stretch four, but it seems to me if we could swing him to the three, we could then target a rugged rebounder and interior defender at the four, whose offensive skills weren't that important. Anyway, just looking for options to expand how we could help this roster.
I'd love to see Grant at the 3 and a rebounder at the 4...I'm hoping Abu Badji is going to surprise some people but I also like Kris Murray at the 4...Watford and Eubanks can play the 4 as well
As an aside, it seems that an overarching theme of our draft was improving our defense. I think we have plenty of offense, but it's the defensive end we need to address. As much as I love Dame, he's not a great defender and neither is Ant. Nurk gets exposed against 5s who bring him out, but he's a big interior body. Sharpe seems decent for his lack of experience (his athleticism really helps), and by all accounts Scoop, Kris and Ryan are all effective on defense. So, who are defenders and rebounders at the four we may target if Grant can shift to the three?
Obviously Green, who's a UFA. And through a potential trade, OG. Either move would add a very good defender. And while the new draftees are said to be defenders, until they do it against real top tiered NBA talent, it's just hopeful thinking.
Our 6'8 and over guys as it stands are Walker, Watford, Eubanks, Murray, Grant, Nurk, Badji, Reddish, Knox and Butler
No, Grant cannot play SF. He doesn't have the lateral quickness. He's not an on ball defender, he's a solid help defender (sort of similar to Roco). Problem is Grant can't rebound like a PF - he rebounds like a PG. He shoots very well though and can be a solid 3rd/4th scoring option. Just an odd fit of a player and not an archtype you see often on championship teams.
Badji Reddish Knox Butler are all unlikely to return - Blazers will want experienced vets or cheaper options.
I think Draymond would fit nicely, but I doubt he will either leave the Warriors, or that we could afford him. I also love his saltiness. I think this team needs a bit of nasty.
Yes, there are plenty of SFs he can guard. Not every SF is the same. MPjr is a good example. Grant can match up with him. But there are certainly some he would struggle with. The key is finding another forward who compliments him. But it could be an SF or PF.
The reason I ask about Grant is that I fear the size teams like the Spurs will have in the frontcourt and the Nuggets already have. Getting punished down low kills us in close games late. Those high percentage shots are huge. If we can obtain real low post threats, think about how that opens up the perimeter.
I have seen the claim he can't defend small forwards, but I think that claim is hogwash this season's WC starting SF's: Michael Porter Jr Dillon Brooks Harrison Barnes Cam Johnson-->Durant Kawhi/PG13 Lebron Andrew Wiggins Jaden McDaniels Brandon Ingram Josh Giddey Tim Hardaway Jr Jabari Smith Jr I'm just not seeing Grant being overmatched by anybody on that list. That's not to say Grant is a good defender because he's not. But he's not a bad defender either. Probably average. He can play SF as well as he can PF, and frankly, there's little difference anymore
OG, Draymond, Cam Johnson. Dame likes DeRozen and OubreJr but they don't help the defense. A defensive center should be a big priority as well. Nurk is ok but he can't play huge 35mpg and he's injured a ton. Players that are mostly on the floor for defense while ideally providing one skill on offense. After they improve defense then rebounding needs to be addressed - but they can do some of this with other positions or schemes so its far less important than the defense. Yes even though Grant at PF is a horrible rebounder.
It's not just the 1v1 matchup against starting SF - its that the Blazers SF needs to help our guards defensively. Defense is played as a 5 man unit - not five 1v1 matchups. Who are we putting at PF if Grant goes to SF? If its someone with very good lateral mobility maybe that would work. Most the good rebounders that are suggested to complement Grant don't provide that. Then you have slow footed Nurk at center. That slow footed front court trio with our below average defending guards will never be very good defensively. If we had Marcus Smart and Jrue Holiday at guard then yeah Grant would probably be fine at SF. The Blazers don't have any point of attach defenders on the roster except Thybulle, and he has major offensive deficiencies. Ant might actually be the best Blazers guard at navigating screens.
nope...not buying it. Blazers are not going to have perfect or optimal defensive options at forward. And most teams don't have big differences between PF and SF Porter Jr or Gordon Wiggins or Green Lebron or Vanderbilt Torry Craig or Durant Kawhi or PG13 or Morris Harrison Barnes or Keegan Murray Brandon Ingram or Herbert Jones there's no advantage/disadvantage there for Grant, between PF and SF. It almost seems you're talking theoretical than the reality of what the NBA has become.
