LAS VEGAS — At a press conference in Tarrytown earlier this month, Knicks president Phil Jackson said his former point guard Jerian Grant “has a future.’’
The future is now — at least it was Monday in Las Vegas. Grant, playing for the Bulls’ summer-league team, captured the championship-game MVP award. Grant erupted for 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the Bulls’ 84-82 overtime win against Minnesota.
“Jerian always at his best when lights are brightest,” his former Notre Dame coach, Mike Brey, tweeted Tuesday morning.
Jackson had better hope not. The fastest way to Jackson’s June 22 blockbuster turning into a dud is if Rose is just average (or hurt), and Grant makes a giant leap from his disappointing rookie year.
Grant, Robin Lopez and Jose Calderon were shipped to the Bulls to land Rose and backup shooting guard Justin Holiday, whom Carmelo Anthony cited Monday as an unheralded pickup.
For the summer league, Grant averaged 12.7 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds. He’s slated to be Rajon Rondo’s backup in Chicago.
“It was definitely tough,” Grant told the Chicago Tribune of his rookie season. “The inconsistency with minutes affected my confidence. I struggled because of that. I’m coming into this season with a lot of confidence, especially after starting at the end of last year and playing well. I’m excited for this new opportunity.”
Grant averaged 5.6 points and 2.3 assists for the Knicks as a rookie and occasionally was yanked from the rotation. He never warmed up to the triangle offense and seems excited about Fred Hoiberg’s system in Chicago — more comparable to what he ran at Notre Dame with Brey.
“We had a spread, fast-paced offense at Notre Dame with a lot of pick-and-rolls. That’s what I’m used to, so I think I can definitely thrive in this offense,” Grant said. “[Hoiberg] has been telling me in practice and games that he wants me to push the pace. Me being a bigger, quicker guard, I think I can really help out.”
Grant’s speed would’ve helped under new Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek, too. The Knicks will try to run the ball more this season before settling into a triangle formation in the halfcourt.
The Bulls were expected to select Grant at No. 22, but he didn’t get past No. 19, where the Hawks had a deal in place with the Knicks — Tim Hardaway Jr. for the rights to Grant.
Grant, the son of former NBA journeyman Harvey and nephew of ex-Bulls legend Horace, still is struggling with his 3-point shot. He shot 22 percent from 3-point land as a rookie, and was 2-of-8 from deep in the summer league.
“His stroke is better than I thought,” Hoiberg told reporters in Vegas. “I remember watching him in college, and he worked on it last year, I can tell. He’s a guy that can knock down some long-range shots. He shot it really well the last month of the season.”