LB NBA Mock Draft: Houston Rockets Select Jerian Grant No. 18 Overall

A young, recently married, childless couple walks around the streets of Old City, hand in hand, arguing over the controversial use of a red shell during their annual Mario Kart 64 Star Cup Tournament.

"You already had the tournament won! There was no need to blast me with that shell right before the finish! My own wife is really going to let Princess Peach take third and leave me off the podium?!"

"All in the game, right?"

The tension eventually subsided as this crushing loss caused Dave Rueter to think about what the future holds for LB Wifey and him. Upon further discussion and help from a few Rolling Rock buckets, the two decided the city life was no longer in play for them. It was time to move on, head towards the suburbs where they can raise their soon to arrive triplets (Tanner, Mike, and Davey Boy) while their pup/Intercontinental Champion Rupert runs around the yard, dodging any title defense that is presented. The only thing they needed to figure out was where...

Thanks to the caring minds at the head of the Houston Rockets organization, that decision would be made for them. With the 18^th pick in the 2015 Liberty Ballers Mock Draft the Rockets select the source of all joy experience by Rueter this past March, Jerian Grant out of the University of Notre Dame.

"Pack your Chamillionaire CD, Rupert. We're going to H-Town. Fire Brey."

If any of you are basketball, you probably saw the Rockets start Jason Terry at the point guard position during this year's playoffs. With the injury to their regular starting point Patrick Beverly, the Rockets were forced to throw JET into the fold. Since James Harden does most of the ball-handling, the insertion of Terry didn't make too much of a difference offensively. The defensive end is a completely different story as the 37 year old was tasked with defending the likes of Chris Paul and Steph Curry. With his athleticism and length alone, Grant is already an immediate upgrade on the defensive end for the second unit. He has the tools to develop into an above average defender in this league, it's just a matter of if he can put it all together.

He'd also be welcomed with open arms on the offensive side of the ball off the bench. Throughout his career with the Irish he displayed a tremendous ability to create offense and distribute the ball. Not only can create a shot for himself and others, there's evidence he can spot up from the outside and be another option for Harden to kick the ball out to for a triple. His three-point percentage dipped drastically his senior year (41% his junior year down to 32%) which could be attributed to defenses focusing solely on him. Coming into a situation where he's merely an option, not the focus, should help that percentage go back to where it previously was.

Being a team that's competing for an NBA title now, the Rockets are in great position to draft a player who's a play now, is-what-he-is type player, and Grant fits this mold swimmingly.

As of June 25, you can officially add not only Jerian but also Dave Rueter and LB Wifey to the census of newest residents in Houston. The housewarming party is just around the corner. Sohil, you're responsible for the potato salad.