The workout took place on Tuesday:
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
Whoosh (the sound of an airball).
A nervous, uncomfortable feeling spreads around the NYAC in New York City as the projected #1 overall pick in the draft bricks shot after shot.
What is going on here?
Clearly Blake Griffin has something on his mind, beyond the minor pain he’s suffering in two of his fingers, a byproduct of a drill he did last week in which he had to complete 750 push-ups in 80 minutes.
“I haven’t had time to eat much today,” Griffin explains sheepishly afterwards. “I wasn’t feeling so hot out there to start off.”
While no one would expect Griffin to look like Rip Hamilton shooting jumpers from 18-20 feet out, no one would expect him to look like Shaq at the free throw line either. There is nothing fluid about his jumper today, particularly in the rigidness of his left elbow, even if his mechanics really aren’t that bad.
20 Responses
First of all, I don’t think he is 6’10. Looks more like 6’8, maybe 6’9. We’ll see when he is measured.
The jumper is not fluid, but it’s not bad. I personally shoot better making a move on a defender than alone in a gym. I think he is the same way.
Plus, this workout was clearly not full speed. Watch his OU highlights. He is a lot more dynamic at live speed.
Kwame Brown looked unbelievable in his workouts. This video does not concern me at all.
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
750 push-ups in 80 minutes????
Holy shit.
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
He’s a built kid, EJ and BG built as a brick house
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I’d be so much more stoked about the next 5 years if we were taking Ricky Rubio. That kid is the next Pistol Pete.
As long as this guy doesn’t end up being an Olowokandi…
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Well I read the entire article and it seems like Griffin does have a decent 15 footer which isn’t bad for a pf coming out of college. Usually big guys have to develop that 18-20 footer in the nba because it wasn’t really necessary in college.
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Sorry, didn’t want to be Mr. Negative here. But I’ll keep it up anyhow:
NBA logic is “you can’t teach height”. So here we have a 6’10″ white kid who can apparently rebound and shoot the rock pretty well for his height.
Thats what they said about Sam Bowie. Michael Jordan went right after him in the ’86 draft. But what do I know?
Chris. Reply:
May 24th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
His Dad is black, and just like our new president, he does have a white Mother. . no need to go dumb here, especially with the sam bowie and pistol pete comparisons and you’re odd love for a skinny sean livingston type. just be happy for a moment we got the #1. you’re right about one thing, what do you know?
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Todd, Rubio is Pistol Pete? I don’t think so. Pete averaged something like 44 points per game in college. Has Rubio scored 44 points in his life?
He may end up being good, or he may end up being yet another soft Euro. Either way, he won’t be Pistol Pete.
Furn Dizzle Reply:
May 25th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Rubio has a 50+ point game that was almost a triple-double… so yeah.
Posted on May 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Ricky Rubio may be a very good NBA player, but he’s not CP3 or even Jason Kidd. Rubio’s frame has no strength to it. I’d love to have him, but over the next ten years I’m convinced he’ll be behind CP3, Deron Williams, Devon Harris, Derrick Rose and maybe even Rondo. And that’s not taking into account anyone else being drafted in that period. Listen, he’d be a great pick, but last year? He’s not going higher than 5 max.
As for this workout, um, his jumper looks fine to me. For a big man, he’s got better form than Carlos Boozer or Stoudamire (not to mention some other guards out there whose form is scary). The thing that strikes me most is there is no way he’s 6’10. Maybe 6’8, but ya know what? Who cares? He’s fluid, he’s quick and he’s built for a guy who is only 20. Overall, his game looks more like a potential small forward to me. I am curious to see how he can take it to the hole in traffic against NBA quality opponents. Not sure we’ll see that in Summer League, but I’ll guarantee you they’ll try it out in exhibition season. One last thought: that post up turnaround jumper is VERY awkward. I’ve seen him make it in game tape, but it just tells me he’s not comfortable in a traditional post. He’s a face up big man. Personally, I’m still excited by the prospect. If they even trade him for anyone but Durant I’m officially over the team. I’ll give up 14 years of following them and go back to being a Knicks fan. At least Isiah’s gone…
Clipper Derrick Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Would it be fair to compare Rubio to Aaron Brooks?
Posted on May 23rd, 2009 at 12:43 am
All I know is he will not pull a Kaman getting the ball in the paint. This kid finishes.
Posted on May 23rd, 2009 at 1:32 am
lol if blake griffin is sam bowie than rubio is like acie law or something I don’t even know what to say, he sure as hell aint jordan. Btw im pretty sure he’s half black. And how does this comparison even make sense ? The sam bowie / jordan ordeal is that you should take the best player not the one that necesaarily fits a need, I have yet to see a mock draft with rubio at #1
Posted on May 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 am
Blake may turn out to be closer to 6’7″-6’8″ but just like you cant teach height, you can’t teach his freakish athleticism. On top of that he has a great motor which means he will always try and work himself into games that aren’t going his way (ie. shots not falling).
We are getting the consensus #1 pick, the most NBA ready-to-contribute player in the draft. As Clipper fans, for once (I know it’s hard), just fucking enjoy it. I’m as negative as the rest of you about this team but sometimes you just gotta enjoy it. If not now, then when?
Posted on May 23rd, 2009 at 6:34 am
he’ll immediately have a positive impact on our team,the magnitude of which i don’t know.
but even a baby step is a step.
Posted on May 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
he reminds me of God and you don’t trade God. He has made this terrible season all worth it in the end, he is my savior! Next year we pick his baby Jesus aka John Hall and eventually rule the NBA!
bootstrenf Reply:
May 25th, 2009 at 10:17 am
john wall
bootstrenf Reply:
May 25th, 2009 at 10:19 am
unless i am mistaken, and there is a prospect named john hall, that i have never heard of….
please correct me if i’m wrong….
Posted on May 24th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
You’re missing my point here, which I clearly didn’t make very well. Pistol Pete was NOT a winner, never got a ring. Ricky Rubio might not be either. But both of them make you want to tune in to, or show up to, every game they are in because you never know HOW they’re going to absolutely blow your mind this time. So there’s the upside there.
The Griffin pick vaults us into what, a formidable 8-10 seed? Woo?
Posted on May 26th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Playing on an empty stomach is never a good thing.
Posted on June 4th, 2009 at 1:36 am
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