Horace Grant was teammates with some of the best players in NBA history.
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Penny Hardaway.
So when he gets excited about a youngster heading into the league, it says something.
The Bulls legend and four-time NBA champion spoke giddily of incoming Chicago rookie Caleb Wilson, who sizzled in the summer league after being chosen No. 4 overall in the draft.
“Oh my goodness, man,” Grant said in an exclusive interview. “What a beast. What a freakin’ beast. He has all the intangibles, the skillset. But what I love about him is that he has the mindset of a killer. A dog. He goes out and gets it.
“It’s one of the best draft picks since Derrick Rose. I’m not going to put him with MJ and myself and Pip, but since Derrick Rose, one of the greatest choices the Bulls have made, in my humble opinion.”
Before the draft, Grant advocated for the Bulls to choose the North Carolina star, and his summer play reinforced the belief that Chicago is adding a key piece to its core.
“When you showcase yourself like that, especially in the Summer League, it gives us Bulls fans hope that he will be one of those pieces along with Josh (Giddey) and (Matas) Buzelias,” Grant said. “There are more pieces that we need, but man, what I saw in Vegas, he’s the real deal.”
Grant’s Nephew Gives Tiago Splitter Stamp of Approval
Grant has yet to meet new Bulls coach Tiago Splitter, but received some inside information after the hire was announced.
Horace’s nephew Jerami played for Splitter last season with the Trail Blazers, where he was elevated to interim head coach after Chauncey Billups was placed on leave due to his arrest in connection with a federal gambling investigation.
“I haven’t talked to (Splitter) as of yet,” Horace Grant said. “I’m pretty sure he’s still trying to get pieces around him, as far as assistant coaches, player development guys. But the craziest thing is he coached my nephew down in Portland.
“My nephew put a check box on him. A great individual, knows how to coach, knows how to relate to his players. The Bulls are going to have a very young core group of guys, so I think he’s the perfect guy for the job.”
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Grant preaches patience when it comes to the Bulls’ fortunes. He knows the city would love to see a new dynasty emerge, but says it is going to take some time to return to contention.
Chicago went 31-51 last year and hasn’t won a playoff series in more than a decade, which is a far cry from what Grant experienced during his heyday.
“To go back iconic like we did back in the day, it’s going to take some work,” Grant said. “It’s going to take some patience. But with the core they have now, staying healthy, and then I still think they need a little bit more leadership in that locker room. I played with some great leaders in Chicago. MJ, Pip, Bill Cartwright, you can throw John Paxson in there as well.
“The city is going to have to stay patient, because they are a very young crew. I tell people this: when Scottie and I first got there in ‘87, we were getting our heads knocked in by the Detroit Pistons almost every year. It took patience. It took trust in each other, and then the rest is history.”
Grant: Nephew Jerami Can Help Make Grizzlies ‘Respectable’
Jerami Grant was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason for Ja Morant. Even though the team went just 25-57 last year, Horace said his nephew is looking forward to the change in scenery.
“Yeah, (he’s excited),” Horace Grant said. “They picked up (No. 3 overall pick Cam) Boozer. They’ve got Scotty Pippen Jr. there coming off injury. I think he’s going to be solid for them. They’ve got a nice little team.”
Grant is aware that there will be ‘growing pains’ this season, but believes Jerami can help ease the transition.
“My nephew’s been around the league for many years, so he knows the growing pains are going to be there,” Grant said. “With his veteran leadership and with Boozer, I think they’ll be respectable as a young team.”
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Grant Talks Departure of LeBron, Addition of Kessler for Lakers
In the later stages of his career, Grant followed former Bulls coach Phil Jackson to the Lakers and won his fourth title as the starting power forward on the 2000-01 team.
Los Angeles is trying to get back to perennial contender status, and thinks the departure of LeBron James is a big one, even at his advanced age.
“With a guy like LeBron, I don’t care if he’s 50 years old,” Grant said. “When he leaves a team, it can’t be good. I have the highest praise for LeBron being 42 and still playing at a high level. I’m a big fan of the young man.”
The Lakers are now clearly in transition to the Luka Doncic era, as they try to complement his talent with the right pieces.
“I think LeBron knew that when Luka was traded there, that the writing was on the wall,” Grant said. “They were going to start building around him. I think the core with (Austin) Reaves, Luka and (Walker) Kessler — I think he’s going to be very good for them in the middle. Whenever LeBron leaves, it’s not a good thing, but I think it was time for him to get re-energized.”
Grant believes the addition of Kessler is an integral one as the Lakers aim to go toe-to-toe with the Spurs and Thunder in the Western Conference this season. Weighing up Luka Doncic's title odds with the Lakers? Check out this Polymarket promo code before placing a position.
Grant, who made all-defensive teams four times in his career, likes what Kessler brings to that side of the court.
“No disrespect to (Deandre) Ayton and the rest of those guys, but I think they were missing that toughness in the middle,” Grant said. “The rim protector. He can score, block shots, rebound. That toughness. I watched him in Utah and I enjoyed what I saw.”
Grant: Jordan “just a little better” than Bryant
Grant is one of the rare players who was teammates with both Jordan and Bryant in their primes, and was asked to compare the two.
He said the pair had a bunch of similarities, with Jordan just a touch ahead in terms of talent.
“It’s like my brother Harvey and I,” Grant said. “We’re twins, and everything is similar, but I was just a little better. That’s the way with MJ and Kobe. Everything was similar. MJ was 1, and Kobe was 1A. The work ethic. The preparation. The mentality. They were just killers.
“I don’t use that word lightly, but on the court, we could be down 10 points with four minutes left on the clock. When you had one of those guys on your team, you’re still comfortable knowing you have a very good chance to win that particular ballgame.”
