LA Clippers 2016-17 Player Outlooks: Blake Griffin, reloaded
Dec 14, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) react after scoring late in the fourth quarter during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-103 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Fresh off of an injury plagued season, Blake Griffin looks primed to return to superstardom and take a leap in his seventh season with the LA Clippers.
He’s the guy you see on Kia, AT&T, Jordan, and many other commercials. Sometimes, he’s a comedian. But to the LA Clippers, he’s their 2009 first round draft pick. He’s their All-Star. Blake Austin Griffin is the Clippers franchise.
During the team’s run with Blake Griffin, one of the ongoing constants has been that he’s a mammoth problem for opposing teams. When your name is tossed into the same category as the legendary Oscar Robertson, people tend to take notice of what you’re able to do on a basketball court.
Throughout the course of his already legendary career, Blake Griffin has evolved immensely as a player. When he first arrived to the NBA scene, Griffin was perceived as an above average rebounder and, first and foremost, an extraordinary athlete to become the mayor of Lob City.
During the last several years, though, he’s turned into something way more essential than just an explosive dunker. He’s turned into what the ideal power forward should look like (a three-point shot would be a nice addition now).
In today’s NBA, power forwards are no longer one-dimensional rebounders or post scorers. Plodding bigs are becoming more irrelevant and extinct as each season passes. Griffin has been able to evolve past these one-dimensional abilities and has transformed into a dominant offensive dynamo. One that has been the most important leader for the Clippers.
This year’s free agency proved to keep fans on their seats, although nothing of significance actually occurred. Many different rumors surrounded the team. A J.J. Redick trade (an unwarranted one at that) and the possibility of free agents leaving brought forth some concern.
However, the largest rumor that surrounded the team was the possibility of Blake Griffin being traded.
These rumors all emerged, primarily, because of Griffin punching former, equipment manager Matias Testi. Much sentiment was dispersed throughout the league that the team’s positive locker room situation was suppressed by Griffin’s actions.
As a result, teams, such as the Celtics (via trade) and Thunder (via next year’s free agency), started to emerge faster than the Flash for the Clippers star. However, the rumors were soon laid to rest by general manager and head coach, Doc Rivers. This was his response to the matter in a conversation with Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical:
“We are hoping that Blake ends his career playing for the Clippers. Period…No team is calling right now because teams know we don’t have any interest. It just tells you the different times. Things have changed. Everyone believes that they’re the media now. There are so many good, credible guys, and then there’s some of the guys who are bloggers who have nothing to do with the sport…”
Doc’s response provides a clear indication that there was no disdain between the two parties. It was nothing more than another segment of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Besides this, Griffin news has been relatively quiet this offseason. One could only wish that it would’ve been the same way during the 2015-16 season.
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Recap of Griffin’s 2015-16 season
The 2015-16 season was perceived as a chance at redemption for Griffin and company. Fresh off of blowing a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Semifinals, the LA Clippers were seeking stark retribution. Their number one goal: a championship.
As soon as the season started, Blake Griffin was having another inevitable All-Star caliber season. However, the Clippers’ aspirations didn’t translate onto the court for the most part and there with struggles with integrating a totally new bench. As a result, through the first 29 games, the team had a disappointing 16-13 record. During this time, he averaged 23.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game.
Griffin was one of the main focal points during this time, on a team that was still trying to address rotational issues. It appeared that these problems would soon work themselves out and everything would go right for the Clippers.
But what’s the joy of being a Clippers fan something happening to the team?
On Christmas night, the team played the Lakers. It was a sub-par matchup, as per usual, for the Clippers. However, during the game Blake Griffin suffered a partial quadriceps tear.
These types of injuries are taken and handled very seriously. The extent of Griffin’s injury was primarily diagnosed as minuscule, with a recovery time of two weeks.
Obviously, this didn’t happen (many say because of the diagnosis and rehab process) and Griffin was advised to have surgery. Instead, he wanted to return during the season so he declined that option. He ended up missing 47 games during the regular season, but it was accompanied by other eventful circumstances.
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It was labeled as the “punch heard around the world.” During Griffin’s recovery process, he went out for dinner in Toronto with DeAndre Jordan, Matias Testi, another Clipper staff worker. This time included many jokes among friends, who all could dabble as comedians if they ever stray away from basketball.
However, Griffin wasn’t too fond of Testi teasing him about the Clippers’ newfound success in his injured absence. He ended up repeatedly punching Testi and broke his hand in the process. The situation also extended Griffin’s return date by four games, as he was “handed” a suspension as a consequence of his actions.
Griffin ended up returning to the Clippers with five games left during the regular season. It was more to get him back into the grind of basketball and see if he could hold up for the playoffs. It was a slow comeback, yet the playoffs were just around the corner.
Blake Griffin ended up leading the Clippers to a quick 2-0 series lead against the Trail Blazers. But his injury still lingered. This became evident in Game 4 when he went down and didn’t look back.
Along with a freak injury to Chris Paul as his hand was snagged and broken in the shorts of Gerald Henderson, Griffin’s season ended that night.
Besides his rookie season, the 2015-2016 season has been one of the worst seasons of Blake Griffin’s career. However, most of the events that occurred were out of his control. This summer he had the chance at a true recovery from his quad injury.
Apr 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) sits on the floor in the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center. Clippers won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Blake Griffin’s recovery process
After his season concluded, Griffin ended up making the smart decision in deciding to have surgery on his torn quadricep. That wasn’t enough to hold him back from training, though.
On The Vertical podcast with Redick, Griffin explained his rehab process:
“I took a week off after I had surgery and then started rehab a week after that, and I’ve been going all the way through. I actually just got back from vacation, so I took a week off there, so basically two weeks (off) this whole summer. I kind of had in my mind, I’m just going to go all the way through. In my mind, I didn’t deserve a summer break.”
This is the Blake Griffin that we have all come to know and love. Inspired by his parents and older brother, Taylor, Blake has been able to personify what a hard worker is throughout his career. People have been able to view his work ethic in action during his developmental years.
Now, it’s more important than ever in Griffin’s career.
A determined mindset like this embodies what any type of leader should have and will be the number one factor in the team’s progression as a whole. The process won’t be the easiest, but it is the most important thing for the healthy return of the LA Clippers’ motivated and vengeful star.
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) and forward Wesley Johnson (33) celebrate the 102-81 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Looking forward to next season
This upcoming season will commence with a healthy Blake Griffin. It will surely be the largest story to witness for the team. Every year Griffin finds new ways to evolve as a player.
He transitioned from rebounder to mid-range shooter within a couple of years. The past couple of seasons, he has also been able to become an effective facilitator for the team. We’ve seen this from Griffin when Chris Paul has been hurt in the past and it could be a key factor for a deep run in the playoffs next season.
Because of this ability, many different strategies can be enforced. Due to the fact that the Clippers have a solid bench and a little more depth with an extra power forward in Brandon Bass and another wing in Alan Anderson, it is now time to take a page out of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s former playbook.
The Thunder were always a lethal team, because they always had either Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook on the court at all times when Billy Donovan staggered their minutes.
It’s time to unleash the Point God and Point Blake in similar fashion in two different sets. Since we know how elite of a passer that Griffin is now (posting a career-high 27.2 assist percentage last season), his playmaking ability should be utilized with full force.
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From a quarterback role in the half court to running fastbreaks or pick-and-rolls, he’s ready to be unleashed. Spending more minutes anchoring the second unit makes sense at this point in Lob City’s questioned history.
The team has had an offseason that, for the most part, revolved around continuity. There should be no excuse this upcoming season, regarding rotational problems. In today’s NBA, especially against the likes of Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, a superstar needs to be on the floor at all time in order to be effective.
This season should be the most exciting season for the LA Clippers in the Blake Griffin era. Fresh off of an injury and facing an opt-out year, Griffin is seeking revenge for lost time. After a disappointing season and entering a contract year, Chris Paul is looking to rid himself of a bad string of playoff luck and win his first championship. Also, a trip to Brazil hopes to commence the evolution of DeAndre Jordan.
The Clippers enter the season healthy, with their sights set on a championship as the NBA season and a daunting opponent in the form of Durant’s Golden State Warriors loom closer.