Jerami Grant: Leadership of Russell Westbrook reminiscent of Jordan

“He always lit a fire under me,” Jerami Grant said of Russell Westbrook. “That’s why he’s my brother. Me and Russ are extremely close.”

Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant, who was teammates with current Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook for three seasons in Oklahoma City, says his former teammate’s leadership and guidance reminds him of legendary Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.

Jordan is back in the news given ESPN’s recent “The Last Dance” documentary on the 1990s Chicago Bulls, and the 26-year-old Grant was asked on a podcast by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports whether he had played with anyone who had a leadership style similar to Jordan.

Grant, who has played for three different teams, responded:

For sure, Russell Westbrook. He always lit a fire under me.

I was very timid. My confidence was wishy washy. I had just gotten traded, and he would pass me the ball, and I wouldn’t shoot it sometimes. I’d be hesitant. He always screamed at me, ‘Shoot the effing ball!’ For me, that’s why he’s my brother. Me and Russ are extremely close. He definitely sees potential in me, and he felt like I could help the team win. For him to do stuff like that, I love it. He’s just trying to help me. Russ definitely has that mentality.

Grant clarified that Westbrook’s leadership style wasn’t as “spiteful” as what was seen at times by Jordan on the documentary. He explains:

I didn’t take it personally. I think Jordan was a little different. Jordan was a little more aggressive. From watching the documentary, it was a little more spiteful. Russ was more constructive criticism. It was a tough-love type thing. If he really felt like you had the potential, he was going to push you in his way. I never really took to it in the wrong way, because I knew that it helped me to move forward.

Grant is averaging 11.6 points (40.0% on 3-pointers) and 3.5 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game this season for the Nuggets (43-22), who could loom as a playoff opponent for Westbrook’s Rockets (40-24).

There’s also a potential storyline to watch in the subsequent offseason. Grant has a player option on his current contract to enter 2020 free agency, and Rockets GM Daryl Morey has said he hopes to “add a significant player” by potentially using the full Mid-Level Exception (MLE).

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If that’s the case, there might be a path for Grant and Westbrook to potentially reunite in Houston, depending on his market.

Now 31 years old, Westbrook is a nine-time NBA All-Star and the league’s 2016-17 MVP. He’s averaging 27.5 points on a career-high 47.4% shooting clip in his first season with the Rockets, along with 8.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.

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