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So we all want Blake Griffin to put on a show, but for the Thunder to come out on top tonight in Oklahoma City Arena, right? A few monstrous dunks — preferably without posterizing someone we hold dear like Serge Ibaka — are what many in the home crowd wants to see, but ultimately no one wants to see Griffin have his way to the tune of a Clipper win over the Thunder. I think we can all agree on this.
But the first NBA game here for Griffin, an Oklahoma City native and former Oklahoma Sooners superstar, has been long-awaited around these parts. We’ve been as eager to see him downtown as any non-Thunder NBA player since the league arrived in OKC for good.
So let’s take a brief look at what, to me, are the three main story lines of interest for Griffin’s professional debut in his hometown. Read more…
Commentary
Blake Griffin
Just a month ago, Blake Griffin was the absolute consensus No. 1 pick. There was just no doubt about it. And it was really the first no question top pick I can remember in a long while. But then Ricky Rubio tossed his name in the hat and in some camps, a little debate has kicked up: Could Rubio be picked in front of Griffin?
NBA general managers say no, but some fanbases say yes. At Sactown Royalty they voted on it and the vote was literally split between Rubio and Griffin. So I guess some folks see reason to take Ricky over Blake.
While some teams may have reasons (the Kings and Timberwolves are pretty “set” in their frontcourts), others just seem to like Rubio’s potential “star” power and play making potential. But what about Oklahoma City? You’ve got native hero Blake Griffin who could plug one of the biggest holes in your squad. He’s humble, he’s tough and he’s a tremendously hard worker. Oh, and he’s really, really good at basketball.
But again, Rubio’s got star quality. He’s got the floppy hair and the Maravich comparisons. He’s a flashy passer with a flashy game and is a potential marketing mega-giant. And he’s the pure point guard Russell Westbrook is not. He’s pass first, score second and sets up teammates. He’s one of the world’s best defenders (supposedly) and has great size (6-4) for his position.
So is there any way Oklahoma City takes Rubio over Griffin if given the chance? Does it make any sense for the Thunder to take the young Spaniard over the bruising Oklahoman? Read more…
Commentary
Blake Griffin, Draft, Ricky Rubio
Know this: Kevin Pelton is much, much smarter than me. He has an awesome eye for the game and dissects it with a surgeon’s touch. I know that he knows more than me, no doubt. But he recently wrote a piece critiquing Blake Griffin following the Elite Eight game against North Carolina and highlighted some of what he considered major faults. As someone that’s watched Blake play every game in his two-year college career and actually multiple games in high school, I feel like I should maybe comment a bit on Pelton’s criticisms of Blake.
Pelton’s major critiques come on the defensive end but he also talks about Griffin’s screen setting.
The disappointing aspect of Griffin’s offensive game was his screen-setting. I tracked him participating in five high pick-and-rolls and nine side pick-and-rolls, but I’m not certain he made contact on his screens on any of them. In fairness to Griffin, part of this may be the Sooners’ desire to keep their meal ticket away from foul trouble given the inconsistent way screens are officiated. Still, these plays were relatively ineffective, rarely freeing the guard while only occasionally giving Griffin good position on his roll to the basket.
Pelton acknowledges the foul trouble issue with an “in fairness” line. And that’s it. That’s precisely why Blake doesn’t try and set bone-crushing screens every possession. He’s trying to avoid tick-tack fouls. I mean, you understand that’s the reason why with an “in fairness” but then you go ahead and make the point anyway? That’s the reason for it, plain and simple. Also, I realize when a guy is going to be the clear-cut No. 1 pick, people are going to look for things he doesn’t do well, because well, that’s what people do, but screen setting? Knocking on a guy because he didn’t set textbook screens? If that’s one of the major criticisms of Blake Griffin’s game, then I’d say he has a pretty complete game already. Read more…
Commentary
Blake Griffin
