Utah Jazz impressed with the Clippers

[Clippersfan86]

Despite the fact that Utah swept the three-game series against LA this season, the Clippers left an impression on the Jazz.

"They're a tough team. They have a great group. They have a good coach," said Williams. "They're young and they're just now jelling together. So it's going to take them quite a little bit of time but they're going to be a good team."

Deron had a lot to say about stand-out Clipper forward Blake Griffin.

"He's an animal. He's a monster. He's a force in this league. He will be for years to come," said Williams, who agreed Blake is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year. "He's so athletic - strong. There's not many weaknesses in his game."

Some compare Griffin to former Jazz superstar Karl Malone. Both were physically imposing but Coach Sloan sees a few notable differences.

"First of all, Karl's durability. [Blake] missed more games than Karl missed in one season. That's the number one thing with his athletic ability and all that. Karl never played off the floor," said Sloan. "[Griffin] plays off the floor very well. He's very lively. You just hope guys like that hold up."

Malone in his early days had his signature dunk but no, he never quite took flight like Griffin has been able to do this season. Karl, like Blake, struggled early in his career at the line.

The key for Griffin will be longevity.

"When you play 18 or 19 years, that's a long time. Karl Malone only missed like four games I think until he got hurt with the [Los Angeles] Lakers - four or five games," said Sloan. "He didn't miss many games and played a lot of minutes."

Of course Michael Jordan missed 64 games his sophomore season, more than Malone sat over his career, but Sloan's concern about Blake is certainly warranted.

"I'm sure he if he takes good care of his body which it certainly looks like he does. He's got a great body," said Sloan. "He's as talented as anybody you see come into this league."

After missing his entire (first) rookie season, Griffin has played in all 33 for the Clippers while averaging 21.5 points on 52.4% shooting and 12.4 boards a game.

Malone in his first season (1985/86), under different circumstances in a different era, averaged 14.9 points on 49.6% shooting with 8.9 boards a game. He shot just 48.1% from the free throw line but finished his career as a 74.2% free throw shooter.

Griffin's one glaring weakness thus far has been free throws where he's hitting just 58.5%,actually lower than his team-high 66.7% from three (on just six attempts).




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