Los Angeles Clippers’ rookie forward Blake Griffin may miss up to six weeks with a stress fracture of his left patella suffered during the Clippers’ last preseason game vs. the New Orleans Hornets on Friday, October 23rd.
Further information regarding Griffin’s course of treatment will be made available later.
It’s easy to frame this injury as the product of some paranormal force working against the franchise. I don’t care much for superstition. Here’s what Griffin’s injury means on a more practical level:
- Clipper fans will have to wait, which is cruel because they’ve been waiting a really, really long time. 25 years of waiting. Over time, all that waiting produces a desperate desire to experience something meaningful as a fan. Blake Griffin’s potential and exuberance for the game embody that for people who care about the Clippers. Unfortunately they’ll have to wait another month or so before they can see him in that context.
- Mike Dunleavy has 96 minutes per night to distribute in the frontcourt and DeAndre Jordan — along with Craig Smith — just picked up a whole lot more of them. Over the past year, Jordan has demonstrated that he’s got the tools and trajectory to be an NBA-caliber center. It will be a process — but one that just got expedited a little bit.
- Any tension over the battle for playing time at the small forward spot has been diminished. Given prevailing trends in the league, expect to see quite a bit of Al Thornton and Rasual Butler together as a forward tandem, particularly against smaller teams (which is about half the league now). Al is actually a somewhat more efficient offensive player at the 4, because those minutes afford him fewer opportunities to launch from 19 feet. The downside, of course, is that he gives up a lot defensively and on the glass.
There isn’t a fan base in the world with a more exquisitely developed sense of patience than Clipper Nación.
This will happen. Promise. Just not right away.
Has it ever?
41 Responses
Yeah, that 32 win prediction is looking more and more realistic. Look for Camby to be gone by the trading deadline. Just being realistic.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
To be expected. When I saw the first preseason game vs. the Blazers I knew this was destined to happen. The kid has no sense of body control at all. He’s completely reckless so the injury didnt surprise me. What did surprise me was he didn’t even make it to GAME ONE.
For all the, “it’s ok, it’s only six weeks”, you’re about to hear, remember that. He couldn’t even make it to game 1. This is going to be a painful 4 years with him. He’s injury prone. Really, really, really injury prone.
With that said, basketball wise, Deandre is light years ahead of him. At least 2-3 years. I’m happy for him.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Well thankfully we have one of the best Head Coaches in the league…have no fear, MDsr will find the perfect matchups and make all the right in game decisions to weather this storm…
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Anyone who says there isn’t a curse on the franchise needs to get their head out of their ass. Given Jasen Powell’s complete ineptitude, 8 weeks is the more realistic number.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
ESPN is reporting a broken kneecap. wow
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
This doesn’t even feel real. I’m so disgusted. I keep hoping that it’s a damn prank or something. How the f can this happen?
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
“The first one said, ‘we know it’s a bone bruise,’ ” said Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy, of the doctor. “There’s some swelling. It just depends on the swelling going down, the comfort level, as far as him being able to play or not.”
“Tests on Monday revealed the fracture and a second opinion later in the day backed up the conclusion of the first doctor.” – latimes.com
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I love how dunleavy was ready to force him out there without a second opinion. I bet the “its just a bruise” diagnosis came from Jason “Best Trainer in America” Powell.
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EricGordonsAnkleBrace Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Can’t wait til they give out 10,000 Blake Griffin tshirts on opening night.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I do gotta say, Powell has got to go. Seriously. This is getting ridiculous.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Noooooooooooooooo! It seems that the clipers cat get a break.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Tuesday game is going to be a blow out.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I bet he got hurt filmingg the ESPN hazing commercial. Lets start a class action lawsuit against Disney. They got deep pockets!!!
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
Is there a paranormal curse on the franchise that defies all scientific explanation? Or is it merely incompetency on the part of our training staff? What does a professional sport franchise trainer do anyway? Oh yeah, they’re supposed to help the players strengthen core muscles and prepare for the physical strain of the regular season. Somehow, someway, we manage to lead the league in games missed due to injuries three years running. Jasen Powell is Jack-the-F*cking-Ripper. Not only should we fire him, LAPD Homicide should see if there are any bodies buried in his backyard.
I bet we’re going to lead the league in number of different starting lineups again. And maybe, just mabye 19 win will look pretty good come March. What a franchise.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Clippers have stay under control it’s about winning with or without Blake.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Heeeeeere we go again.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
He just lost the Amazin nickname
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Yes, Jason Powell needs to go and nobody knows that better than I do. Seriously though Clippers fans, I know it’s easy to throw in the towel and point fingers now, but our team still needs us, now more than ever. They have depth for the first time EVER and they have options. Playing with a reported easier early season schedule (minus the first handful of games we could lose all and should not worry about), it’s better for this to happen now than later. It sucks, ok, we all get it. Now move on & hope something can come of this that hasn’t come of something like this happening for the past 25 years. We are hoping this season is the turnaround this team/franchise hasn’t had in 25 years, minus a few playoff years including the 1 year we won a series not too long ago. We still have to have that hope or else we are not only a doomed franchise but doomed fans and I can’t go to sleep with that on my mind, personally. Get well soon Blake, you will be missed and supported to get back healthy.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
if they go 5-15 out of the gate i’m gonna be crushed.fkn a.
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jgroove Reply:
October 26th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
If they don’t win those three against Minn I may be crushed.
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Chris,we had depth last season as well.lol
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
Time for Baron and Kaman to show why they get paid the big bucks… This is Baron’s chance to show that this is his team and not Amazin’s… We will know shortly…
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
You got to be kidding me! NOOOOOOOOO!
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Posted on October 26th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I may have to call in sick to work tomorrow. This is just too much to take. I bet dude never suits up for the clips. He’ll probably shoot his limo driver Jason Williams style and never play a minute.
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:04 am
Is this the same injury that Amare Staudimire suffered? I was lookn for a preview of tonight’s game on espn and i read Blake broke his knee cap!?
OMG . Wow !!! Speechless!!!
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:18 am
I am really starting to believe some one out there is a voodoo artist that hates the Clippers
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Well at least I re-played that youtube clip about 20 times.
I don’t see how that’s the trainer’s fault though. Players know how to stretch, and there’s no proof that stretching prevents injuries. It’s not like he got injured during training. He got injured during the game. Was he overworked in training? Who knows, but wasn’t he working out on his own? They’re also professional althletes, it’s their job to take care of themselves. They can also hire their own trainers if they want too. And it’s good he got a 2nd opinion.
You can question why Dunleavy had all the starters in during the 4th quarter, probably could have rested them a little bit more, but there are 82 games in the season. There’s not a huge injury risk like football.
It’s up to 6 weeks, hopefully it’s less. I don’t think I’ll buy a ticket unless Griffin is playing though.
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:28 am
this is a disgrace.
i have been a Clipper fan for more than a decade
but i feel sorry for the lifelong Clipper fans…..
this is horribe luck and i was just talking about how horrible our medical staff is….
and yes we are cursed
we new fucking jerseys new name new everything
ima try to be optimistic and saw we will be pleasantly surprised by Craig Smith….
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:35 am
i hope this doesnt mess with the players psyche…..
its up to the fans to show the Clippers they still believe
CMON NOW!!!!!
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:37 am
How is this the trainers fault? Lmao…
Dude is a bull .. Injuries like this are bound to happen to bulls.. He actually needs to get more body fat.. Fat people don’t get hurt as much as ripped ones …
Sucks ass either way
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EricGordonsAnkleBrace Reply:
October 27th, 2009 at 1:18 am
Big baby is injured, your arguement is F’d
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 12:48 am
The word I was looking for is………FUCK!
Like I said in 2 other threads – Blake needs to learn how to be intense without being reckless otherwise his career will be very, very short. We saw this one coming, unfortunately.
Speedy recovery, BG!
P.S.: Baron, it’s time to step up, dude. BIG TIME!
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Kaman is healthy and in shape, we have a true back up PG and we have depth. I think we will at least be competetive this year. We are putting to much on Blakes shoulders.
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 8:33 am
we cant knock blake for going to the rim with reckless authority because that is why so many fans love him and it is his athletic ability that made him the #1 pick anyways.l do feel bad for the kid, but lets see how he bounces back. Lets see how he handles a little adversity. I still have my money on the kid. He seems mature beyond his years. It hurts because he is so exciting and I wanted him to posterize mbenga tonight and countless others. But I can wait, we still have a damn good team. I think deandre getting more time isnt a bad thing, hes pretty damn exciting as well. Blake is great and all, but he is no magic that was going to lead us to a championship his rookie year. Ive always felt that we will only go as far as Baron will take us. He has the ability to make everyone better, and if he is up to the challenge, and by all accounts, he is, I still believe…
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 8:59 am
lol im not surprised he got injured but the time out is a long time.. do i hear Randolph any1??
and FIRE THE FUKN MED STAFF AND TRAINERS… its been a decade of injuries and this shit is still happening.
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Craig Smith needs to step up, DeAndre Jordan is going to have alot of minutes hopefully at PF and Kaman and Camby are going to switch off at center for some fresh starts….. i hope lol
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 9:44 am
What’s that noise? Oh, its the sound of fair weather Clipper “fans” jumping off the bandwagon. Looks like they can’t make it to game one either without falling apart. Good riddance.
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 11:27 am
oh by the way….
we can either unite in hopes of having blake return to a team playing some good ball
or they guys can lose all hope and just play like shit every game
today will be a good indicator
if we get blown out its definitely over before it even begins….
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 11:52 am
[...] drafts, you’ll just have to eat the next six weeks of zeroes Griffin will be putting up after fracturing his left knee cap. Since I’ve got to get back to snorkeling (I know, what kind of fantasy basketball blogger [...]
Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Thanks for the analysis, Kevin. I just did a post on the fantasy fallout from this injury on my site. Feel free to let me know what you think. And as an LA-transplant (from Houston nonetheless; injuries seem to follow my teams), all I can say is……. ugh.
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Posted on October 27th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
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