Did Knicks president Phil Jackson’s wild comparison of Stephen Curry to former Denver Nuggets point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf work in the Zen Master’s favor?
Not really. But Abdul-Rauf has posted on Instagram a photo of himself and Knicks point guard Jerian Grant completing a workout at the Knicks’ training headquarters in Tarrytown. Abdul-Rauf, formerly named Chris Jackson during his spectacular LSU days, also is pictured posing with Liberty president Isiah Thomas at the facility.
According to an NBA source, Abdul-Rauf is working out solely with Grant, the rookie who had a big finish to an otherwise mediocre rookie season. Abdul-Rauf is not employed by the Knicks or the Liberty. Grant set it up through a common friend, the source said, and has been working with Abdul-Rauf for the past couple weeks.
“A super humble bro,” Abdul-Rauf wrote in the caption.
With Jose Calderon injured, Grant started the final six games of the season.
“I have a lot of confidence running the team,” Grant said after the April 12 season finale. “I’m not looking across from me and saying, ‘Oh, no, what’s going to happen [when I’m starting].’ I have a lot of confidence guarding the best.”
Grant’s father, Harvey Grant, played in the same era as Abdul-Rauf, who never lived up to his college billing during an underachieving NBA career and became best known for being unwilling to stand during the national anthem. Harvey Grant said he played enough games against Abdul-Rauf to know this is a good thing for his son.
“Yes indeed [I’m excited],” Harvey told The Post. “They’re doing twice-a-day workouts, teaching him ball-handling, how to get to the basket and shoot the jumper. [Abdul-Rauf] was one of the best shooters and scorers in the league at one point.”
That didn’t stop Jackson from tweeting during Curry’s incredible MVP season: “Never seen anything like SCurry? Remind you of Chris Jackson/ Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, who had a short but brilliant run in NBA?”
Curry said he spent time watching tape of Abdul-Rauf, after hearing of the comparison, because he had barely heard of him.