The D-League. The NBA. Jerian Grant has a preference. It’s called just playing.
The Knicks rookie said if a stint in the D-League is in his future, so be it. Interim coach Kurt Rambis said there were discussions of providing Grant some playing time through a potential trip to the development league, but the Knicks like having him available if necessary and feel he can get an NBA education with playing time here and there, and from watching and learning.
“I talked to coach about it a little bit,” Grant said Saturday after the Knicks’ sparse workout in Tarrytown. “Obviously playing is a good opportunity no matter where it is. Obviously, you want to be in a game in the NBA, but if I can go down there and get a lot of minutes and get back in a rhythm, I think it would be OK.”
Grant has played in three of six games since Rambis replaced Derek Fisher. Each time, he received double-figure minutes: 16, 12 and 16. He has 20 points and 10 assists and shot 7-of-12 in those three games. He seemed encouraged to hear the preference is to keep him available with the Knicks.
“For sure,” said Grant, the No. 19 pick (by Washington before a trade). “Especially getting to play a little [Friday] getting in a rhythm, it helped me a lot. But if I can go down there when we’re here and get in a rhythm I think it would be good.”
Rambis has been insistent starting point guard Jose Calderon is at his best when being aggressive, but not just Calderon, who fashioned back-to-back double-figure scoring games for the fifth time this season — he will be going for three in a row, which he has yet to accomplish this season, Sunday against Miami.
“It’s not only the key for him. It’s also beneficial for us, his ability to penetrate and read off pick-and-roll situations, organize us quickly and get the ball moving,” Rambis said. “When he’s playing with that aggressive nature — and it’s not just him; it’s everybody — getting penetration, whether it’s via the pass or via the drive, you’ve got to be able to pull defenses in and that will open up our outside shooting,” said Rambis. “So when he’s doing that and he’s staying aggressive, it snowballs down to everybody else.”
Heat All-Star Chris Bosh is seeking additional medical evaluations for a blood clot that formed in his leg and threatens to end his season. Heat president Pat Riley this week said doctors and Bosh, who was pulled from All-Star Weekend, will continue to “explore options” for the condition. Last season, Bosh sat the final 30 games with a blood clot in his lungs.
The Heat were expected to have a familiar face Sunday — Joe Johnson, bought out and waived by the Nets. Johnson signed with Miami on Saturday.