Sixers Rebuild Year Two: A Smashing Success

Jan 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Jerami Grant (39) reacts after making a basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 91-85. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

If someone ever tells you that a player can’t improve as a three-point shooter in the pros, point to Jerami Grant. Grant came into the league as a tweener, meaning he couldn’t really fit in as a wing or big. He couldn’t shoot and didn’t have the height or weight to bang in the post. After missing the preseason and the first 15 games, Grant expectedly struggled with his shot while shooting just 3-of-18 from deep in his first 19 games.

Grant and the Sixers staff continued to work on his shot and it paid off as he finished the season shooting 33.3 percent from deep in his final 46 games. His shot improvement was encouraging and as teams began to play him closer it allowed him to take defenders off the dribble more often. Grant went from being lost on the offensive end to being a dual threat player at the stretch-four position.

One thing that was consistent in Grant’s game was his defense. He finished the season averaging a block a game in just over 21 minutes of game action. His freakish athleticism allowed him to block all types of shots, which he showed off against the Knicks in the middle of season tallying a career high eight swats.

Just like JaKarr Sampson, Grant’s athletic ability and raw talent is what interests the Sixers.The improved jump-shot is an add-on, and Brett Brown has raved about seeing even more growth potential in Grant. Watching his game grow and develop over the next couple of seasons should be really fun for Sixers fans to watch.

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