I was looking through some stats on different power forwards in to the league and then i come up across Brian Grant. Grant has been a premier choice for many Rocket fans as a potential rocket. If you look at his stats he averages 7 points and 5 rebounds. Sure, he plays 21 minutes a game, but if you look at Robert Horry who gets similare minutes, he has the exact same numbers. Can someone explain to me why this injury prone player is so highly touted? I have seen Grant play before in the past and I saw the success he had with Karl Malone last year, but this year has been a different story. My god, Kenny Thomas put up better numbers than Brian Grant. Son't get me wrong, he would be a nice addition to the team, but nothing to die for. ------------------
Im not crazy about grant either. i dont care what his stats are, i think KT will eventually be better then he is. Grant is a hustler, and i wouldn't mind him on the rockets. But i also wouldnt trade a mobley or anderson straight up for him. I would actually not trade a #9 pick (moiso or miller, maybe peterson ) for grant. ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
Hey, I wouldn't trade Anderson straight-up for BG or probably not even Mobes, but this guy has game. His stats for this year are as decieving as a Baywatch babes' assets Not only was he not close to 100% for most the season, and not only was he playing behind Rasheed Wallace - who had a career year and played outstanding - but he played on one the deepest teams in history. I would love to see KT or Horry get 7pts and 5 boards on a team boasting Rasheed, S.Smith, Sabonis, Stoudamire, Pips, O'Neal and Schrempf. Besides, Grant's strength is not offense, even though he would have probably managed about 12-14 with this years Rockets. As you guys mentioned, he is an all-out hustler. He is the protypical team player; dives for the loose balls, takes the charges, makes the extra pass, and plays with constant intensity and heart. He is one of the better defensive PF's in the game, and playing in a conference boasting the likes of Duncan, Malone, Garnett and Webber, he's a pretty valued type. He is literally a warrior under the glass, he a'int no Worm or J.Williams, but he can board with the best of them. Don't get me wrong, Brian Grant will never be a superstar and nor is he a player I would throw a crapload of dough at, but he's a type of player every championship team needs. He does the dirty work, brings a great attitude with a workmanlike effort. On a deep and experienced Portland team, he is regarded by teammates as the "heart and soul of this team". If Houston finds a feasible, practical and inexpensive way to acquire him, I would jump at that opportunity. Azim da Dream ------------------ True champions do not take their failures to heart and never let success go to their heads.
You cannot always measure a player by his statistical contributions. Brian Grant is a lot more valuable than his 7-5 this season would indicate. If you watch the intangibles he brings to the court its amazing. Once he healed up this season from his offseason knee surgery, he was back to vintage form. The guy absolutely hustles after every rebound and loose ball. Aside from that, the physical tools are excellent a tough 6-9 260 player that is very agile and runs the floor well. He is also one of the top team defensive forwards in the NBA. When the Blazers play watch how much ground he covers on the defensive end of the floor. In a pick and roll situation, Grant is quick and agile enough to get in front of the PG to make sure he doesnt get a shot and then run over to the big man covering that opening up also. Another player that is all over the court on the defensive end like that is Bo Outlaw. Even though Outlaw's stats arent very good, I'd be ecstatic if the Rockets were to sign him as a FA this offseason. Players like Grant and Outlaw play with so much heart and determination; they are essential to have on a championship team. I would much rather have hard workers like that which bring all the intangibles than lazy a** players like Antoine Walker, Glenn Robinson or Maurice Taylor. Walker, Robinson and Taylor have sparkling offensive stats but have to be three of the most pathetic defenders I have seen. If your team is filled with a bunch of guys like that, you just wont win (see, Milwaukee Bucks). Orlando had very little "big name statistical talent" this season yet they almost made the playoffs. A team like the Bucks with Robinson-Allen-Cassell underachieved. The key is, to have a couple of high profile players but then fill your team out with blue collar guys like Brian Grant, Bo Outlaw, etc. If the 9th overall pick could get Grant, I'd do it in a second. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
Even in those 21 minutes, he still rarely gets the ball. The Blazers are so deep that even in 21 minutes he gets very few touches. Look at last year when he averaged 12/10 when he played 35 minutes and was healthy. That should tell you the kind of player he is when he is healthy, has minutes, and is a top option. Here he could be. I'd trade the #9 pick for him in a heartbeat. ------------------
I don't want him either, his best performance was when he was in the movie Eddie as a Kings player and did a nice post move. ------------------
mmanal, so you would trade a prospect like peterson, johnson, mike miller, or even darius miles 4 grant ? i couldnt do that. The orland team may not have had alot of 20 pt. scorers, but they were deep like portland, hence they had surprising success. Whereas the rockets may have had 3 (?) guys in double figures, maybe orlando had 6 (dont have the stats though). I may be willing to give a mid 1st and a throw in, but that throw in would have to be something less then walt williams. I like grant, just not as much as some of you. ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
gr8-1, Johnson, Miller and Miles likely wont be available at the 9th pick, thats why I would have no problem dealing the pick for Grant. The only one of those 4 you listed that would probably be available is Morris Peterson. If Mihm and Swift both declare, the first 8 picks look to be Mihm, Martin, Swift, Fizer, Miller, Miles, Johnson and Alexander. If Moiso moves into the top 8 and Alexander falls out, which is possible, then the Rockets would be somewhat thin with who they want to pick. If they wanted to take frontcourt players, the next best ones would be Collier, Pryzbilla, Thomas or Oyedeji if Moiso rises into the top 8. The best wing players would be Peterson and Alexander. For a player like Johnson, Miles or Miller to fall out of the top 8, its going to take some serious boneheaded drafting by the teams ahead of the Rockets(eg. one of the top 8 teams taking Pryzbilla or something like that). This is the reason the Rockets are trying so hard to move up in the draft. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
I actually really like Brian Grant for His Hustle, Rebounding (esp. offensive) and defense, but remember when Hakeem pulled the vintage fake on him earlier this year. BG said " I thought you retired that move " That was great, it was the old fake from 95 Western Conf Finals...that was good stuff. I think picking up a guy like Brian Grant, will allow Hakeem and Cato to jump out of the post for blocks knowing that they have a solid defensive threat behind them. Hakeem's blocks were amazing when he had Otis Thorpe behind him backing him up and allowing him to go for those blocks. BG is not much of a blocker put his post defense is outstanding. I think thats what we need. We could use a superstar ala Duncan, Webber. But thats pretty slim pickings. I think if we concentrate on BG our lineup could look like: Hakeem Cato B.Grant K.Thomas W.Williams S.And S.Ander C.Mobley Francis Norris Now thats a line-up with scoring, defense and mix of players that can win. A cohesive unit is more valuable than lots of talent. ------------------
It also looks like Mihm and Swift are going to stay in school. That makes the pickings at #9 a little thinner than they already were. ------------------
I am crazy about Grant. I think he could take us to another level. He does not need the ball, but can score, will get you the boards and can play tough defense. Absolutely what we need. Outside of getting Duncan, this would be a perfect fit. He is Rudy's type of player, the guy is a gamer, and a good person beyond that. ------------------ A Chuck paraphrase: It was surreal! And I don't even know what that means! Charles after Eddie hit THE SHOT
i'm with Kan & Puff. I love the guys energy and the things that he does ithout the ball. He is like the Anti-Cato, he plays hard & with heart. I think he would be a great fit here, just because he doesn't need to have the ball to be effective. He gets most of his points from his board work. ------------------
WHY SOME PEOPLE WANT BRIAN GRANT by: CriscoKidd Some want Brian Grant because the Rockets have not really had a post presence. Grant has shown flashes of brilliance. He gets lost in the shuffle of the Portland bench a lot, but when he is needed, he is there and makes plays. Mostly by rebounding, defense, and hustle. Something the Rockets need more of. Many believe he could be a consistent post presence. Certainly better than a lot of the unproven players in the draft. Or Cato. The great depth of Portland also leads some to believe that there is apossiblity of landing Grant. So why not try to snag him if anyone believes the above to be true? He is an underated guy who could become a star. Some believe he will be, so he is a mustr have for them.that is why some peole want Brain Grant. ------------------ Cato is 7 feet tall.
