Chicago Bulls Midseason Grades: Butler shines, Wade and Rondo shrug

Jerian Grant

Stats: 15.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 38.5 FG%, 31.3 3PT%, 93.3 FT%

Grade: C+

The second year player from Notre Dame has shown some encouraging signs despite being yet another point guard on the Bulls that can’t shoot. He’s thrived when slotted into the starting lineup, especially when Chicago blew out the Portland Trail Blazers back in November.

Grant is a gifted penetrator. If he sees an opportunity, he’s halfway to the rim before the defense has time to react. What he struggles with is getting the ball in the hoop once he gets to the rim, or making the right pass out to a shooter (what are those?) if that’s the right move.

He does his job on defense, but he won’t blow you away. Fans are optimistic about his potential, but it’s unclear if that’s because of Grant or because of the two guys who also play point guard for the Bulls. Regardless, Fred Hoiberg seems to have taken heed of this optimism, as Grant has started the last four games for Chicago.

A 3-point shot would vault Grant to another tier, but that isn’t happening anytime soon. Grant wasn’t even making a third of his 3s in college. We won’t deny the possibility completely, but only because I can’t handle the idea of the point guard situation getting any worse.