New Trail Blazers starting power forward Jerami Grant is working on his chemistry with center Jusuf Nurkic and the rest of his new Portland compatriots, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. Fentress writes that the team’s 2022 training camp tipped off on Tuesday in Santa Barbara.
“His length is incredible,” Nurkic raved of the 6’8″ forward. “Layups. Dunks. It’s so effortless.”
“I’m still learning the way he passes,” Grant said of the 6’11” center. “I’m figuring out when to cut, where to cut and kind of reading him.”
As Fentress notes, the Blazers could look to play Grant some minutes at small forward and even as a small-ball center. Like Nurkic, other teammates are also impressed with Grant’s two-way play and athleticism.
“Looking at Jerami, and the size, the athleticism and versatility sticks out,” star point guard Damian Lillard said of watching Grant from afar. “But then being able to see his skill set up close, he has been impressive.”
There’s more out of the Northwest Division:
- With four of the team’s starting positions set, three Trail Blazers players will compete in training camp for the remaining opening: the starting small forward gig. In a separate piece, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian examines the pros and cons of swingman Josh Hart, Nassir Little and Justise Winslow. “I think as a competitor we all want to start, we all want raises,” Winslow said of the process. “But at the same time, you understand that you’re part of a bigger team.”
- Nuggets MVP center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray are hoping to pick up right where the dynamic duo left off before Murray’s ACL tear in April 2021, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post. “It was fun,” Jokic said of a recent training camp practice together. “Like I said, it feels really natural, it feels easy. I think we’re gonna be back really soon.” Head coach Michael Malone registered his excitement for the return of the pairing this season. “It looks good, but I know it’s going to look better once Jamal gets back into game shape where he completely has no concerns about his knee.”
- The Jazz view recently-added 6’9″ big man Jarred Vanderbilt as primarily a power forward, and intend to only play him as a center in spot minutes, tweets Tony Jones of The Athletic. Jones cites that thinking as one of the incentives behind the club’s trade for former Pistons center Kelly Olynyk.
Didn’t these guys see all these so-called “amazing” traits on Jerami Grant when they played against him???
Portland needs guys to play defense. Not scoring. Lillard, Simons and Nurkic are all offensive players offering little on defense. They cannot afford to have a fourth non-defensive starter. Let alone all five starters with no defense.
I can grab 4 guys off this board and we can drop 100+ points on Portland right now even though Chauncey Billups is a coach who values defense. Gary Payton gets you nothing if he is playing defense by himself and coming off the bench.
It’s always interesting to read the thoughts of delusional basketball fans.
You could grab 4 others guys on this board and none of you would even make down the court and back more that 3 consecutive times. Always talking in hyperbole to try to make a point that you can never prove.
I actually am in training to run a marathon. My long run on the weekend has now been extended to 17 miles. I think I will be ok getting up and down the floor.
I know I am gonna score on Lillard every single time!
Very Barry, unless you played D1 or are 6-6 plus, you’re not scoring on ME. Not a single time. I will lock you down.
So if you’re running a marathon or 17 miles a day, then you’re NOT 6-6 Plus guaranteed. And if you’re running a marathon or 17 miles a day then you’re not a real Hooper because we HATE running, unless it’s between the lines. :)
Yes, you’ll get up and down the floor dragging your hyperbole at 8:11 a mile. Be sure to wave!!!
You have a lot of bad takes.
Who exactly on Portland is gonna guard anybody????
What exactly did Jerami Grant do to make the Detroit Pistons better???
It’s going to be a strong division.
If the Jazz play Vando at the 4 and Olynyk at the 5 then that likely means they’re going to use Lauri at SF, like the Cavs did. I suppose on defense that could switch depending on matchups. Regardless, it makes sense on offense that the Jazz would want to create a mismatch at SF, like the Pelicans do with Ingram.
Sexton, Beasley and Conley remain as backcourt options with Jordan Clarkson off the bench.
Well-played Danny Ainge.
Not enough people are talking about the Denver Nuggets. I have the Nuggets as the top team in the West right now.
Jokic is a monster, and goes into full beast mode when Denver is trailing in the 4th quarter. Stud!
A healthy Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. give Jokic great assist options he did not have last year.
This team is gonna be tough to take out!
The nuggets are definitely conference Champion contenders this year. Murray took his time coming back and by that I mean not too quick or early, so he should be completely ready to go. The nuggets are imposing and dangerous to say the least. The West is so strong once again.