Grant turns his game around while filling in for Rondo
The last two times Rajon Rondo met with the media at the Advocate Center, he dropped the microphone stand really low, then pushed it high so it covered his face.
Facing pressure to do something unique Tuesday, Rondo fiddled with the mic stand, then decided to hold the television microphones himself. He did it with his left hand, keeping his injured right wrist out of the action.
There was no definitive update on Rondo's status. He has missed the last three games with a sprained right wrist, and coach Fred Hoiberg said Rondo will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's must-win regular-season finale against Brooklyn.
"We did increase his activity today," Hoiberg said after Tuesday's practice. "He felt better than he did yesterday. He sat out a couple of things, but he did have a little bit of contact today and that's the important step."
The Chicago Bulls will clinch a playoff spot if they can beat Brooklyn at the United Center. Should they lose, their season will be over unless Miami loses at home to Washington, which figures to rest its key players.
There has been an interesting development for the Bulls in these last three games without Rondo. Replacement starter Jerian Grant is not only playing well, he suddenly has become an expert playmaker. Grant produced a career-high 11 assists in Monday's blowout win over Orlando in just 28 minutes of action.
"That's what I've done," Grant said after the game. "Last year I was passing the ball pretty well down the stretch when I got to play (with the Knicks). Jimmy (Butler) is just telling me to go out and make plays, just putting the ball in my hands a little bit more. That's giving me confidence to go out there and really do what I do, which is make plays for people and put the ball in the basket."
Grant disagreed with the notion that he's a better scorer than playmaker, but there's a reason that perception exists.
This season, before his recent stint as starting point guard, Grant averaged 3.8 assists per 36 minutes of action. Over the last three games, he has increased his assists to 8.6 per 36 minutes.
As a comparison, Rondo has averaged 9.0 assists per 36 minutes this season. Butler is next best on the Bulls with 5.4.
Clearly, something has changed about Grant's game. His assist production has more than doubled in this recent stretch.
"I don't (get) any credit," Rondo said. "He's studying the game. We watched film a couple days ago on the plane and he's seeing where he can make plays and where he can't. The best thing about his stats (Monday) is he had zero turnovers. Eleven assists to zero turnovers is big for a young point guard."
Even if Rondo doesn't play Wednesday against Brooklyn, he figures to be ready for the playoff opener, if there is one. The Bulls would play Boston or Cleveland this weekend if they make it. After Tuesday's practice, Rondo could be seen launching 3-pointers and he made a few.
"It felt good," Rondo said. "I beat a couple guys in shooting games, so it felt better."
Grant is a second-year guard from Notre Dame, the nephew of former Bulls star Horace Grant and son of Horace's twin brother Harvey. Grant is under contract for next season, but the Bulls seemed unsure of his place on the team. Like most of the team's young players, he has moved in and out of the lineup.
Grant is essentially the Bulls' best 3-point shooter this season at 36.9 percent. Anthony Morrow has a slightly better percentage, but he hasn't played much. Doug McDermott ranked first before being traded to Oklahoma City.
So as the playoff push winds down, Grant is making his case for returning to the Bulls next season.
Anything could happen with the point-guard group. Cameron Payne figures to stay as a potential future starter. Rondo could conceivably return, but the Bulls can buy him out for $3 million. Michael Carter-Williams will be a free agent, so he might be the least likely to return, but it's a possibility.
Grant has an explanation for why he's posting better stats this time around.
"I'm playing faster," he said. "Earlier when I was getting my starts, I was just kind of bringing the ball up, swinging it, then just going to spot up. Now Fred and guys on the court are telling me to push the ball. We can get some fastbreaks and good looks for guys that will help our whole offense."
The Bulls' postseason lives might literally depend on Grant delivering one more big game at the point.
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Bulls game day
Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets at the United Center, 7 p.m. Wednesday
TV: WGN
Radio: WLUP 98.7-FM
Outlook: Brooklyn owns the league's worst record at 20-61, as well as the worst road record (7-33). But the Nets have no reason to tank, since their first-round draft pick is already destined for Boston, and they've won four of their last six, including a 107-106 win over the Bulls on Saturday at the Barclays Center. Spencer Dinwiddie, who spent preseason with the Bulls, and rookie Caris LeVert led the Nets with 19 points each and both hit huge baskets in Brooklyn's late comeback. C Brook Lopez is the Nets' top scorer on the season at 20.5 ppg, followed by PG Jeremy Lin (14.5 ppg). SG Sean Kilpatrick (hamstring) and PF Quincy Acy (ankle) are both out. Brooklyn has lost five in a row at the UC. Jimmy Butler scored a combined 73 points in the last two games between these teams.
Next: First round playoffs or season over.
- Mike McGraw