Found Objects – 8.23.2011
• Finally, the ranking we’ve all been waiting for (or at least I have). Here’s Royce Young of CBS Sport’s Eye On Basketball Blog discussing Blake at #10:
10. Blake Griffin, PF, age 22, Los Angeles Clippers
2011 stats: 22.5 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 50.6 FG%, 21.93 PER
Composite rankings (random order): 10, 10, 15It’s not all about the dunks. You just have to tell yourself that. It is not, all about the dunks. Yeah, I realize Blake Griffin’s rookie season will be most remembered more for his instant YouTube classics than for a pretty drop-step layup, but that’s really what it was about. Blake Griffin is an excellent dunker, yes. But he’s a better basketball player.
His numbers were terrific and not just for a rookie. For anybody. He went for 22.5 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. That’s not just in the category of “Wow, nice rookie year, now let’s see what he does next.” That’s in the “Wow, how can he do much better than that?”
Griffin is extremely skilled but what makes him so special is that he’s willing to outwork everyone on the floor. He plays harder than everybody while possessing otherworldly ability for a man 6-10. Every time he skies recklessly for a rebound or dives wildly on the floor you fear the worst, but that’s what makes Blake Griffin the player he is. He plays the game in a violent, relentless manner. And on top of it, he adds top tier skill and talent with it.
He has some room to grow of course. He needs to refine his jumpshot where he’s effective in the pick-and-pop game. He needs to shoot better from the free throw line. He needs to be a bit better in help defense. He should impact games on both ends. But naturally he should improve. He’s just 22 and just finished his rookie year.
I love to point to his best game of the season, his 47-point effort against the Pacers. He didn’t dunk the ball once in that game. Instead it was an array of spins, jumpers, hooks and deft layups that took him to his career-high. His full-court oops and massive posters bring in the oohs and ahhs, but games like he had against the Pacers is what shows you that he’s going to be one of the league best players over the next 10 years. – RY
• If you haven’t read Charlie’s second piece on the Clippers-Thunder comparisons, I recommend you do so.
• Another Chris Kaman update. Check out video of him against Belgian from Friday’s match-up.
• Grantland’s Malcolm Gladwell explaining the difference between the ‘phsycic benefits’ and the financial benefits of owning a sports team. Great read.
Twitter: @JovanBuha
