Rookie Jerami Grant is taking advantage of being on a team that is committed to player development.
Grant missed the Sixers' first 15 games because of a sprained ankle. Once activated, it took the 6-foot-8 forward another 11 games before he could count on playing at least 20 minutes a night.
Grant has scored in double figures four times, including 12 points against the Knicks on Wednesday. In that game, he made a season-high three three-pointers. Grant had made 10 total threes prior to that.
Sixers head coach Brown couldn't be happier with the strides Grant has made this season.
"A shooting coach, Eugene Burrows, deserves all the credit," Brown said. "Jerami Grant deserves equal credit because he puts in the time. Right now, he is my poster child for what hard work and an investment in a shooting coach can produce."
Last year as a sophomore at Syracuse, Grant was 0 for 5 from behind the arc for the entire season. Grant averaged 31.4 minutes, 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds in 32 games for the Orange.
"My hard work is paying off," Grant said. "I think I am getting more comfortable on the court. Because I feel comfortable, I am playing a lot better.
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"I try to go out there, play hard, take open shots and if someone else is open, then swing the ball. We are trying to get the ball distributed as much as possible."
Wednesday, Grant had only four points, but he did block eight shots. He was the first Sixers rookie to block eight shots in a game since Shawn Bradley did so in 1994.
"He has eight blocked shots with a few on the ball where he is just guarding somebody, they shoot, and he blocks it," Brown said. "He has a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He is 20 years old and has an NBA family tree. He went to DeMatha [High School]. He is smart, and his foundation is fantastic.
"He sometimes comes after games and shoots at 12 a.m. or 1 a.m. in the morning, so he has a great work ethic. Is he a four-man or a three-man? I don't know, but I do know he is a hell of a prospect."
Grant is one of the nine new players on the Sixers' roster this season. He sees improvement in the team's play. Unfortunately for the club, its 8-34 does not reflect the growth in the group.
"Chemistry is huge for us," Grant said. "Being a young team, building on that chemistry is extremely important for us."
Grant's dad, Harvey, attended the past two games. He is more than a proud father watching his son play basketball at the highest level — Harvey Grant is a great sounding board for a rookie learning how best to be a pro.
Grant's dad played 10 seasons in the NBA, and his uncle, Horace Grant, played 17 seasons, winning four NBA championships.
"I talk to him all the time," Grant said about his father. "We talk about the games and about things I can do better on the offense or defensive end. With him and my uncle being in the NBA for so long, their opinion is something I respect when they share it."