Through a few preseason games, several players are beginning to make impressions for the New York Knicks. Kristaps Porzingis is quickly making his mark as a potential season starter while Derrick Williams struggles with the triangle offense. Another player making solid impressions is rookie Jerian Grant who is emerging as a serious contender for the starting point guard spot over Jose Calderon.
Grant has been coming off the bench in the preseason so far, but has looked impressive in the triangle offense thanks to his athletic abilities. Grant has been a highlight reel in the preseason so far and is playing more like a veteran than a rookie in his first few games. The improvement could force head coach Derek Fisher to serious consider the starting lineup.
"Jerian's maturity as a rookie is something that was always impressive to us even talking to him at the Chicago combine," Fisher said, via Newsday.com. "I don't think he's necessarily afraid of any moment out there. That's why he's able to make some of the plays that he makes. I think he has a good feel for the game. He has a pedigree in his family. The NBA doesn't seem daunting to him. He's seen it his whole life."
According to ESPN's Ian Begley, Fisher likes Grant and Langston Galloway as the reserve backcourt duo over starting the rookie instead of Calderon. The Knicks are still trying to make the Calderon experiment work. The veteran is healthy and back on the court. He is moving well in the triangle offense, but it is Grant moving better on both ends of the court. Fisher could be forced to put the rookie in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
"I feel like I bring a lot to both [ends]," Grant said, via Newsday.com. "Offensively, I think my playmaking skills help get easy shots for everybody. On the other end, I think I bring a different type of quickness and length to use against some of these great point guards in the NBA."
All signs point to the Knicks entering the year with three point guards on the roster. With Arron Affalo injured, having the extra shooters on the roster will certainly help. Carmelo Anthony is picking up right where he left off while Sasha Vujacic is looking healthy and improved back in the NBA. Having the versatility of three point guards could benefit New York in the long run.
