Philadelphia 76ers: How Jerami Grant Became Team’s Best Kept Secret

After developing a jump shot and able to play the power forward role, Jerami Grant is thriving and has become the Sixers’ “Best Kept Secret.”

In his second season in Philadelphia, Jerami Grant has become an unheralded force in the starting unit. Drafted with the No. 39 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Grant entered a situation ideal for young talent to prosper. The Philadelphia 76ers, in 2014, were in the midst of formulating an effective roster and were willing to let their youth grow to create future results.

Coming out of Syracuse as a sophomore, Grant’s strengths and weaknesses were evidently clear. He couldn’t shoot from the perimeter (29.1 percent shooting on just five 3-point attempts in 2o14), had no offensive game outside of line drives and athletic plays and was a tweener due to his 6’8″, 214-pound build with no perimeter game.

Grant had to develop early in his career to shed off the negative connotations associated with his game. He didn’t play his first professional minute until the 16th game of the 2014-15 season, due to an ankle injury, and struggled to get acclimated with the professional level as a 20-year-old. The rookie made only 1-of-12 three-pointers to begin his career, but the struggles from deep faded relatively shortly. In a 13-game stretch during January of last season, Grant went 17-of-31 from behind the arc.

Defenders had to react to him getting the ball on the perimeter instead of sagging off and letting the formerly inept marksman beat them off the dribble. However, Grant’s decreasing effectiveness later in the season brought his shooting flaws into the light once again.

Grant shot just 35.2 percent from the floor last season, with his sputtering in March and April playing a major factor in his efficiency. Predominately Grant came off the bench, averaging 6.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in the 2014-15 season. This year, injuries and inconsistencies among starters have forced head coach Brett Brown’s hand, allowing Grant to start. Grant’s lack of a true position actually has become a positive with his position versatility.

"“I think he’s a modern-day four man,” coach Brett Brown said of the chiseled Grant, per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey. “Look at what he’s going to be on the body when he gets older. He can play [small forward] for sure. But I think he’s that versatile to be a competitive power forward.”"

It became apparent for Philadelphia that Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel couldn’t effectively start due to a lack of floor spacing. With the addition of point guard Ish Smith, Noel has found the same rapport that fostered positive results when Smith was at the point last season.

A long-term option off the bench, the development of his jumper became a reason for Grant starting opposite of Noel down low as a combo forward, who’s becoming a stretch four of sorts. The three-point consistency has yet to transpire for Grant in the 2015-16 slate (21.4 percent), but he’s a threat to make a jumper from deep, which he was unable to do in college.

Overall, the second-year forward has become a more effective weapon for Philadelphia, averaging 9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in the 2015-16 season. Trumping his rookie stats across the board, including field goal percentage (42.3 percent), it’s apparent that Grant has cemented his spot long-term playing for an ever-shifting roster. With development comes confidence and Grant should be elated by the season’s he’s had so far.

Per 36 minutes, Grant’s numbers this season still are higher than last season’s and he’s not just regarded highly on the court. He’s also been lauded as a blueprint for what Philadelphia is trying to build.

Grant has only been a part of 21 wins during his almost two-year stint with Philadelphia, but the poise and ability to shed the negativity is commendable for the 21-year-old. Some Sixers evidently show emotion during games in which the team is getting throttled, but Grant’s composure is evident.

Another factor to his emergence is the notion that he could have an extensive run in the league. The versatility Grant exudes screams role player at worst and with the propensity to shoot at a modest clip, he won’t be a major liability for teams on offense.

He usually has shooters around him to take perimeter attempts like combo guard Isaiah Canaan and Robert Covington. Even though both are struggling mightily with their efficiency, Grant has cleaned up their errant attempts with putback buckets.

With a 7’3″ wingspan, the Syracuse product gets major air on his rebound attempts, which is essential for a team that ranks No. 26 in rebounds per game. His athleticism also plays a role in his two-way presence.

Grant’s steal and block totals don’t stand out, but like Noel, he projects as a potential stopper due to his enticing athleticism stemming from his 6’8″, 210-pound frame. His jumper is flat and if he doesn’t ever fully reach his ceiling on offense, Grant will still be an energizer off a team’s bench.

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When referring to the Sixers, most people will point out Jahlil Okafor’s off-court issues and his inability to mesh with Noel on offense. However, there are several positives that have stood out in a 3-33 season. One of them is Jerami Grant, Philadelphia’s “Best Kept Secret.”