The situation is similar to that frustrating help-wanted ad that has tortured mankind for ages: “Company seeks 25-year-old with 30 years of experience.”
So you get an idea how rookie Jerian Grant feels as a reserve Knicks point guard. The Knicks need him to know and master the position but have him learning on the bench, even if the best way to do it is by, well, doing it.
“It’s definitely tough,” Grant said before the Knicks were trounced 122-95 by Toronto at the Garden on Monday. “I feel the best way to learn is to be out there playing, playing through mistakes, learning, getting a feel for it. But they are doing a better job with me of showing me film, doing a lot of talking to me, explaining things. That helps, but the best way is definitely to be on the court.”
After sitting two of the first three games under interim coach Kurt Rambis, Grant was summoned for a garbage-time fourth quarter with the Knicks down 18. Grant, the 19th pick in last June’s draft, quickly made a few good things happen. He hit a 3-pointer, assisted on three of the Knicks’ next five baskets and got to the line once. He played the fourth quarter and finished with nine points and four assists.
“All players are going to learn from being out there … but it’s my balance as a coach to try and put players out there who I feel have the experience and knowledge to help us win,” Rambis said. “But also to try and get him as much time as possible to allow that growth process to happen. I have him sitting next to [assistant] Jim Cleamons on the bench who played in this league and understands this system well and he communicates with him.
“We’re going to watch video tape with him more … so he can get a visual of what’s happening out there so he can make better decisions.”
Grant understands and accepts all that. But being a pro player, especially a 23-year-old pro player, doesn’t make the process easier. Hey, he got an entire quarter Monday. So what if it came in garbage time?
All part of the growth process. It will come. And one guy who wants to remind Grant of that is Toronto All-Star starter Kyle Lowry, who while stressing he has not seen a lot of Grant so far, likes what he has seen.
“You tell him be patient,” Lowry said. “Understand there will be trials and tribulations. But one thing you can do is find your niche, and his niche is playing hard, driving the basketball, creating contact, getting to the free-throw line, from what I’ve seen. Now, I haven’t seen too many games, but I’ve played against him. So find a niche, get comfortable, but never settle. … Always continue to grow.”
Rambis admitted speed tops the strengths in Grant’s game. But Grant’s speed has been both a blessing and a curse.
“I like it when he uses his jets, and he doesn’t use them all the time,” Rambis said. “He’s got terrific speed, and we’re encouraging him to use that speed. But with that speed, you’ve got to be under control so you can make quality decisions.”
And earn playing time.