Jerian Grant reacts to Gilbert Arenas, upcoming derby with Olympiacos / News - Basketnews.com

Jerian Grant, one of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's most valuable players this year, talked about the upcoming derby game versus Olympiacos Piraeus and the controversial comments of Gilbert Arenas.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/GettyImages Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/GettyImages

In Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens's 85-67 winning effort against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne, Jerian Grant was undoubtedly the MVP, scoring a career-high 21 points, grabbing 2 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists, and accumulating 3 steals for a career-high 25 PIR.

Jerian Grant

MIN:29.55PTS:9.11 (55.79%)REB:2.32As:3.75ST:1.61BL:0.11TO:1.21GM:28ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Speaking to Amerikanos24, the versatile guard commented on the upcoming Olympiacos Piraeus game, PAO's fight for the home-court advantage in the playoffs, and the comments of former NBA player Gilbert Arenas that European players are "softening" the NBA.

"They're playing well," Grant said about Olympiacos. "They're playing really well and it'll feel really good to go in there and get a win in the streak. So, you know, we'll be prepared, and we're looking forward to it," he said, speaking with confidence.

The derby between the Greens and the Reds is one of the biggest in all of Europe, and the guard believes that it is a special match-up with an unmatched atmosphere.

"Obviously, it's a lot more personal. You know they're the rivals. The fans, you know, go crazy about it. And, you know, they talk a lot. So we'll see."

Craziest atmosphere I've ever played in," he then responded when asked how he would describe the Greek derby to his friends and family. "You know, I hope, you know, my fans and family could ever get to one of those games. It's really exciting. It's something you'll never forget."

Of course, the Round 29 derby is going to have important ramifications for the playoffs race, as both teams are closely ranked and are vying for the homecourt advantage.

"We want it. We want it bad. That's something that we're focusing on right now," Grant said about the homecourt advantage. "You know, we're sitting right there pretty high in the standings. We want it. We want it," he repeated.

Finally, the American responded to Gilbert Arenas's comments that the NBA should do away with European players since they are purportedly "softening" the league.

"He's just talking. Obviously, you know, we see what the Europeans are doing to the NBA game. They're playing really well. People just say things," Grant commented. "I really don't think he means that. Gilbert was a great player, but we see the MVPs that are coming from Europe to the NBA. We need them," he concluded.

This season, Jerian Grant is averaging 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for 11.3 PIR. He also shoots three-pointers with remarkable accuracy at 42.7%.

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