The other day I stumbled upon an article on Blazer’s Edge, the Portland Trail Blazers version of Pounding The Rock. The post, Bidding Farewell to the Underappreciated Jerami Grant, is a heartfelt adieu to a solid player who stood with the Blazers during the time when they are struggling.
Jerami Grant, originally drafted 39th overall in 2014 by the Philadelphia 76ers, just completed his twelfth season in the NBA. He’s played with the 76ers, Thunder, Nuggets, and Pistons before landing in Portland. The four years he spent with the Trail Blazers was the longest tenure with one team of his career. After his first season in Rip City, Damian Lillard — the franchise’s centerpiece — requested a trade and left for Milwaukee.
Since then the Trail Blazers have struggled, and although there have been improvements (from 21 wins in 2024 to 36 wins in 2025 to 42 wins last season) they have simply been unable to get over the hump.
The author Adrian Bernecich stated,
“Grant was a Blazer. For a couple of years ensured the franchise wasn’t devastatingly bad. He may have held onto the ball but that was because the young guys hadn’t shown an ability to do it themselves. I think back to the night of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline when the Blazers hosted the Pistons. Grant finished the overtime loss alongside rookie Toumani Camara, Ashtan Hagans, Matisse Thybulle and Jabari Walker. Anfernee Simons left the game early with injury. Grant was the only guy able to generate any semblance of offense.”
His take on having a player stay with the team took me back to the DeMar DeRozan’s stint with the Spurs from 2018-2021. The Spurs entered a downward spiral after the loss of Kawhi Leonard and the departure of the Big 3. This era brought the first losing records to San Antonio since 1997, and that was in large part due to injuries to David Robinson. Before that, the Spurs had a four year run of losing seasons between 1985 and 1989 when Alvin Robertson was the shining light on an otherwise dark time for the Silver & Black.
After being traded to San Antonio, DeMar DeRozan admitted he was shocked. He’d originally expected to play in Toronto for his entire career. During those three seasons, DeRozan averaged over 21 points per game and had career bests in assists and rebounds. While dishing out to a rebuilding core, he spread institutional knowledge to the young players. His veteran presence was essential to the growth of Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Lonnie Walker IV, and Tre Jones. Having DeRozan as a mentor made a great number of players better.
It takes a lot to play on, take on leadership, and give it your best when the chance for success seems slim. It’s a special breed of player. And hearing a Trail Blazer’s take on Jerami Grant really brought back the respect and admiration for DeMar DeRozan.
It got me thinking about other teams. From 2010-2014, the Cavaliers went from perennial contenders to nary a playoff berth. This was the period when LeBron James made his “decision” and spent four years in Miami. There had to be a player who attempted to carry the torch. It has to happen when any great team loses their top player.
Can you think of any other players who shone bright for a team during their darkest hour?
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