It doesn't matter at all, the TON network will be absolutely useless and valueless if Telegram is not behind the project and Gram, or whatever coin or token they create, can't be used on Telegram.
The main advantage of TON could be its integration into Telegram. Therefore, no matter what an independent development team creates, it will not have the same advantage as a closed Durov project. It's the same thing, how to create a Libra without the participation of Facebook.